The Park Scholarships program would like to uplift Sami Anthony ‘24.
We would like to celebrate her role as a 2025 Commencement Speaker for the College of Natural Resources!
Along with fellow graduate Kyle Zampogna, Sami Anthony ’24 addressed her peers on Friday, May 2 at Reynolds Coliseum.
Sami is a recently graduated Park Scholar, holding a bachelor’s degree in paper science and engineering from the College of Natural Resources. Anthony now prepares to step into her role as a full-time process engineer at Smurfit Westrock. Additionally, Sami is pursuing an M.S. in engineering management from the NC State College of Engineering with an anticipated graduation set for December 2026.
You can read the original full-length article, featuring both Sami and Kyle, on the College of Natural Resources website. Below, you will find the excerpt about Sami Anthony ‘24.
Sami Anthony, by CNR News
During her time at NC State, Anthony was an active and engaged member of the College of Natural Resources community.
Not only did Anthony serve as a college ambassador, but she also served as a teaching assistant and recruitment intern for the Department of Forest Biomaterials. She also served the student chapter of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry and the Pulp and Paper Advisory Board.
Anthony’s commitment to service and academic success was recognized through honors such as the Park Scholarship, the Hasan Jameel Family Scholarship, and the Children of Wartime Veterans Scholarship.
When we asked about her NC State experience, Anthony said the College of Natural Resources provided her with access to opportunities that “built the foundation for me to be an ethical engineer and advocate in my industry.” One of those opportunities included the James Buzzard Leadership Development Program. The program helps College of Natural Resources students enhance their leadership skills through professional development, mentorship, field trips and other opportunities. “The Buzzard Leadership Development Program was truly a highlight of my senior year,” Anthony said. “While I’ve participated in several leadership development programs as an undergraduate student, what set Buzzard apart was its interdisciplinary nature.”
She added, “I’ve been fortunate to learn from strong leaders and mentors within the pulp and paper industry, but connecting with peers across the College of Natural Resources brought an entirely new dimension to my leadership growth.” Anthony said her participation in the program provided her with resources to navigate difficult conversations, foster culture, approach philanthropy, and grow emotional intelligence — all of which she considers “intangible skills that have made me a more well-rounded individual.”
The Paper Science and Engineering program, too, was vital to Anthony’s success. She credited the program’s emphasis on group work, hands-on lab experiments, business fundamentals and presentations skills as “essential.” “As a high school senior, I did not think I’d find a major I’m truly passionate about but I’m incredibly lucky to say that I did. Choosing paper science has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Anthony said.
She added, “The papermaking process felt overwhelming at first, but as I progressed through the curriculum, I began to love it. That excitement solidified my choice to pursue a career in engineering.”
Motivated by her passion for sustainability, Anthony completed three internships and co-ops with Smurfit Westrock.
These hands-on experiences allowed her to apply classroom knowledge and develop skills in project management, data analysis, and manufacturing within a recycling mill environment.
“During my internships with Smurfit Westrock, I really came to appreciate how much the company values innovation, sustainability, and helping their interns grow,” Anthony said. “I had the freedom to try new things and take initiative, but I also knew there was a strong support system in place if I ever needed help.”
She added, “That balance between independence and mentorship made a big impression on me, and by the end of my third internship, it felt like a natural fit to return after graduation. I knew I’d be joining a company where I could continue growing, both personally and professionally, while still making an impact.”
Looking Forward
Following graduation, Anthony will return to Smurfit Westrock in Cowpens, South Carolina as a full-time process engineer while pursuing an online master’s degree in engineering management at NC State. She looks forward to continuing her professional and academic journeys and hopes to one day return to NC State as a teaching professor.
Anthony thanked Eva Feucht, director of the Park Scholarships program, and Jennifer Piercy, assistant dean for philanthropy at the College of Natural Resources, for their guidance. She also thanked Shannon Lora, Brittany Hayes and Angie Rush of the Department of Forest Biomaterials and Elijah Gore and Jan Morgan of the Pulp and Paper Advisory Board for their support.
Congratulations, Sami!
The Park Scholarships staff and community are so proud of you, and we are delighted to celebrate your role as a 2025 Commencement Speaker for the College of Natural Resources!