The Phillips’ Family Leadership Incentive Award Winners Announced

The Phillips Family Leadership Incentive is endowed by Dr. Richard Phillips (’64, ’66 MS, ’70 PHD) and his late wife, Mary Phillips. The endowment given by the Phillips family was created to recognize paper science and engineering students who show a strong interest in business and professional success. The recipients of this award are to demonstrate academic achievement, strong leadership, and service within their community. This leadership incentive allows for paper science and engineering students to pursue a business administration minor from the Poole College of Management at NC State.

Before coming to NC State, Dr. Phillips retired as the Senior Vice President – Technology and Manufacturing from International Paper. Dr. Phillips is currently an Adjunct Professor and the Executive in Residence in the Department of Forest Biomaterials at NC State. He teaches and consults with our faculty, staff and students to elevate the level of our courses and curricula, research, teaching and outreach. He is also an expert consultant in our industry.

Making Futures Brighter

Each  spring, rising juniors and seniors are given the opportunity to apply for this prestigious award. This year, the Phillips Family Leadership Incentive was awarded to four outstanding students in the Paper Science and Engineering program. Congratulations to

• Daniel Lucas
• Jaylan Paige
• Spencer Payne
• Iggy Senchak

We asked each student to comment on what being selected meant and how this will impact their future. Click on each students’ name for a spotlight and more information.

Daniel Lucas

I have received an enormous amount of support from the Paper Science and Engineering Program since I arrived at NC State. This award is another example of the opportunities that become available when deciding to become a part of the program. I am thankful to the Phillips family for supporting the PSE program and providing this incredible award. I am honored to have been chosen and I will work hard to take full advantage of this opportunity. I am grateful for the Phillips family’s generosity, and I look forward to giving back in the future.

I decided to apply for the Phillips Family Leadership Incentive because I want to become a leader and make a positive impact on the people around me during my career. I believe that getting a business minor and learning more about business administration will be a great first step toward achieving my career goals. I plan to apply the skills that I gain as a result of this award, toward being a positive influence in any organization I am a part of. I hope that this award sets me on a path to find great success in my career as well as gives me the chance to make an impact on others.

Jaylan Paige

As I enter my fourth year at NC State, I am excited to be so close to achieving my Paper Science and Engineering degree, with a double minor in business administration and industrial engineering. I chose NC State as it is the best engineering school in North Carolina and one of the best in the nation. Ever since I was a little kid, NC State has always been my number one choice. Every time I interacted with an NC State alumnus or came to campus, everyone was always incredibly friendly. They made me feel as if they already knew me and were always willing to help. The family-like community at NC State is second to none. so it was a no-brainer when deciding to make this school my second home.  With my father’s experience in several business ventures, coupled with my interest in pursuing a career in supply chain, a field at the intersection of business and engineering, I knew that pursuing a business minor would open doors to new career opportunities and allow me to become a principled industry leader.

I am very heavily involved in the campus community as a Resident Mentor for the Black Male Initiative (B.M.I) Living-Learning Village with a purpose to perpetuate a positive image of black men in our society. I am a Chancellor’s Aide, a Management Leadership for Tomorrow Career Prep Fellow, and an active member of the Xi Sigma Pi Honor Society, TAPPI, and the National Society of Black Engineers, and if that’s not enough, I recently became a part of the Pulp and Paper Student Advisory Committee.

Following graduation, I plan to pursue a career in supply chain in the paper or allied industries. I want to focus on the engineering and implementation of supply manufacturing systems and how those systems relate and interact with people and the business as a whole. I also plan to pursue an MBA at some point in the future. I am so thankful to Dr. Phillips and his family for their generous support, and the PSE program for all of the opportunities afforded to me. I am honored to receive this reward and hope that I can one day pay it forward for the next scholars.

Spencer Payne

I believe the key to an impactful career and achieving professional success is having a strong foundation in multiple disciplines. I wanted to complete the business minor to round out my engineering education and apply to the Phillips Family Leadership Incentive to launch my career and start off financially stable. I am incredibly honored to be recognized as a leader of the Paper Science community by receiving this award. I am excited to participate in a business-related project with Dr. Philips and I feel grateful that my tuition is covered with scholarships.

Scholarships and work experiences are enabling me to graduate debt free. Because of this, I will have the financial stability to select the best career and educational opportunities for my future growth, perhaps even an MBA. As a student, I enjoy giving my time to Habitat for Humanity and local food banks. Once I graduate, I desire to continue to make an impact on others in my company and community with my skills and philanthropic priorities.

Iggy Senchak

As a freshman in college, I knew that I wanted to take business courses. I am a first-generation engineer, with my mom being in the medical field and my dad being a salesperson. This made me recognize that successful businesses don’t only have engineers, but many other departments that work together for the common good of the company. I took a few business courses towards the business minor early on in my collegiate career just for personal benefit. At the end of my sophomore year, I learned about this scholarship, which convinced me to work harder in college and complete the business minor. The business minor has not only allowed me benefits like this scholarship, but also has improved my internship and co-op experiences by understanding the business aspect of daily operations.

To received this award  is a huge honor. This scholarship will allow me to focus more on academics and involvement not only in Paper Science and Engineering, but the larger NC State community as well. I am beyond thankful for the continuous support of this program, and now Dr. Phillips and his family. I am excited to finish my collegiate career with my business minor and I can’t wait to pay it forward!

Thank You

Our paper science and engineering program is truly made world class by the many individuals and companies who give of their time, talents and treasures.  A sincere thank you is in order for Dr. Phillips and his family for this generous and creative endowment. This scholarship has increased the awareness and need for engineers with business skills and significantly impacted the number of students pursing business minors and courses.

By guest bloggers: Daniel Lucas, Jaylan Paige, Spencer Payne and Iggy Senchak