Gifting Options
There are numerous ways you can make a gift to support the people and programs in the Department of Computer Science -- everything from simply writing a check for your annual gift in support of the department's current needs to a major or planned gift for an endowment or a capital project. The numerous options available are divided between outright gifts and planned gifts.
Thanks to the ongoing generosity and support of our alumni and friends, the Department of Computer Science can live into its vision to be the preeminent computer science department in the state, relentlessly pursuing collaborative innovation that pushes the boundaries of computing to improve the human condition and the world around us.
Your investment in our department, through the options described below, helps us produce consequential research and next generation talent capable of solving problems that don’t exist today with technologies that are beyond our current imagination.
Donations are tax-deductible and are processed through the NC State Engineering Foundation.
Computer Science Enhancement Endowment
Diversity In Computer Science Endowment
This endowment, originally created by several members of the department’s Strategic Advisory Board (SAB), provides “programmatic” and/or scholarship support targeting the attraction and retention of under-represented groups in the field of computer science.
Excellence in Undergraduate Computer Science Education
This endowment was established to help support the Senior Design Center, which manages senior design project coursework. Students in this program work in teams on real-world corporate-sponsored projects. Senior Design Center staff guide the students in strengthening their project management, leadership and communications skills.
Aspirations Awards
These scholarships are awarded annually to students who have won regional or national National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations Awards and who come to NC State to study computer science. Awards are targeted at entering freshmen, and are renewable for up to four years given the student remains academically eligible and makes satisfactory progress toward completion of a degree in computer science.
Donald L. Bitzer Creativity Award
Dr. Robert Fornaro Endowment Fund
This endowment, created to honor Dr. Robert Fornaro, a popular professor and creator of the Sr Design Center, upon his retirement in 2013 after more than 44 years of service. The endowment was made possible by a major lead gift by Distinguished Engineering Alumnus, Bobby R. Johnson, Jr. (BS CSC ’77) and his wife, Donna. The endowment provides unrestricted support for the Sr. Design Center.
Dr. Robert E. Funderlic Scholarship Endowment
This endowment was created to honor the late Dr. Robert E. Funderlic, Professor Emeritus and former department head from 1986 – 1992. The endowment was made possible by the generous donations of numerous alumni, family and friends, including a major lead gift by CSC alum, Dr. Andy Smith (PhD 2004). The endowment provides merit-based scholarship funds with a preference for computer science undergraduates at the junior level or higher, who are at least 8 years post-graduation from a high school in North Carolina.
Joyce Hatch Scholarship Endowment
This scholarship endowment was created to honor Joyce Hatch, an extremely popular student advisor who retired in 2006 after serving for over 30 years. It was funded by numerous donations from students, family and friends. In keeping with her ongoing efforts to help those in need, this is a “needs” based scholarship.
Dr. Thomas L. Honeycutt Scholarship Endowment
This endowment, created to honor Dr. Thomas L. Honeycutt, a very popular professor and influential department icon, upon his retirement in 2012 after more than 40 years of service. The endowment was made possible by the generous donations of numerous alumni, family and friends, including a major lead gift by Distinguished Engineering Alumnus, Bobby R. Johnson, Jr.(BS CSC ’77) and his wife, Donna. The endowment provides need-based undergraduate scholarship support with a preference to first generation college students and/or students from military families.
Doris and Don Martin Scholarship
This endowment honors Dr. Don Martin, previous department head, and his wife Doris. Martin joined NC State University in 1960, serving as head of computer science from 1974 to 1986, and played a key role in the department’s rapid growth. This renewable merit-based scholarship is awarded annually to a deserving sophomore or higher in computer science.
Carol Miller Student Leadership Endowment
Dr. K. C. Tai Memorial Endowment Fund
This endowment, created to honor Dr. KC Tai after his untimely passing in 2002, provides “programmatic” and/or scholarship support targeting the area of software engineering. When the funds are used for scholarships, preference is given to computer science students with a disability or handicap.
Ken Tate Scholarship for Student Success in Computer Science
This endowment was created to honor Ken Tate, who served as Director of Engagement & External Relations from 2001 until his retirement in 2024. The endowment was made possible by a generous lead gift by CSC alum, Tony Brown (BS CSC ‘83). This needs & merit-based award will be given to a qualified computer science student who is a contributing member of the Computer Science Student Ambassadors Program, a program Ken Tate launched and supported as an advisor to hundreds of students.
Dr. Alan L. Tharp Undergraduate Innovation Endowment
This endowment was created to honor previous Department Head and Alumni Distinguished Professor, Dr. Alan L. Tharp, who retired in 2010. The endowment was made possible by a generous donation from CSC alumna, Marcia McLawhorn (BS CSC ’70), as well as gifts from numerous alumni, family and friends. The ‘programmatic’ endowment will provide funds to support and encourage undergraduate research and innovation. Some possible uses may be to provide travel funds for a student to present a refereed paper at a conference, to purchase special materials as part of a project that he or she might not be able to undertake otherwise, or to file a provisional patent.
Gifts-in-Kind
Give Today
All gifts to the department make a difference in the ability of engineering and computer science students and faculty to fulfill their own dreams and make a positive impact on the world.
Gifts can support scholarships, fellowships, professorships, academic programs, faculty research and other initiatives that are not typically supported through state appropriations.
It is private philanthropy that empowers the department to achieve excellence in its research, teaching and public engagement mission.
