From the Nominator

Since 1960, woven bookmarks have been an enduring tradition at North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles. To commemorate the college’s 125th anniversary, we created a special-edition woven bookmark that celebrates this milestone while engaging donors and industry partners through a meaningful keepsake. This project was a collaborative effort involving expertise from alumni and staff. Nancy Webster ’75, a distinguished industry leader, led the project by designing the bookmark’s intricate layout. Kam King, Assistant Director of Communications for the North Carolina Textile Foundation, then translated Nancy's detailed hand-drawn designs into a vector file. The design included iconography thoughtfully developed by Beth Palmer, Multimedia Specialist for the Wilson College of Textiles, who created one original icon and adapted two from existing images to highlight the college’s academic areas. From there, Bailey Knight '22 and Teresa White '84 in the W. Duke Kimbrell Flex Factory and Lauren Navarro '20, a member of the Zeis Textiles Extension team, refined the technical aspects, ensuring the woven jacquard structure maintained both its precision and artistic integrity. The bookmark was produced by Wright Creative Branding and Labels, a North Carolina-based manufacturer, using metallic threads to elevate its commemorative significance. Gifted exclusively to donors and key industry partners, this piece serves as a powerful stewardship tool. It strengthens connections with our supporters while honoring their impact on the college’s continued success. Beyond its immediate significance, this woven bookmark beautifully complements “Becoming the Wilson College of Textiles,” a new publication celebrating the college’s rich history and bright future. Together, they provide a lasting tribute to 125 years of textile innovation and education and reinforce the college’s legacy.

From the Judges

Great use of the school's tradition of woven bookmarks. Metallic thread makes it seem more prestigious to tie into the anniversary. Nice to see an alumna lead the project and others assist, leading them to have deeper connections to the school. The combination of alumni expertise, staff collaboration, and the bookmark’s distinct connection to philanthropy makes this entry a true representation of the college's legacy of excellence, innovation, and gratitude. As one of the top-ranked textiles institutions in the world, this beautifully designed and executed bookmark is a lovely stewardship touch and an appropriate and cost-effective holiday gift that is a perfect demonstration of the industry they lead. It is also a nice companion piece to the 125th anniversary book they published.