The Power of Giving

For Victoria Patterson ‘20, being a member of the Wolfpack family was second nature. Her dad, Doug, uncle, Randall, her grandfather, cousins and relatives all went to NC State. When she took her campus tour, she didn’t feel at home. It wasn’t until her dad showed her where he used to play basketball, Carmichael Gym, that she was sold.

Growing up in Salisbury, North Carolina, Victoria was always active. From riding bikes around her family’s farm to playing soccer and softball throughout high school, the Patterson’s valued well-being. To this day, Victoria’s parents still get up at 5 a.m. to go to the YMCA before work. When Victoria arrived at NC State in the Fall 2016 semester, she joined the club cheerleading team and participated in group fitness classes and intramural sports.

“Those were great outlets for me to relieve stress, to make friends and be part of a team,” said Patterson.

On the urging of a friend who worked for Wellness and Recreation, and inspired to help others find out more about Wellness and Recreation services, Victoria applied as a member services specialist.

Since starting, Victoria has noticed the transferable skills she has learned on the job. Professionalism and communication are two of the main takeaways she says have helped her in her academic career. She also says the diversity in views and opinions encountered in her job has made her well-prepared to for a future career.

This year at the 2017 “Wolfies” celebration, Victoria was one of two students to receive the WellRec Friends and Family Student Employee Scholarship. This scholarship will pay for $300 toward tuition and fees. This was the first year Wellness and Recreation has awarded the scholarship. The scholarship recognizes student employees who encourage and inspire the Wolfpack community to live active and well and serve as a role model for healthy and balanced living.

[pullquote cite=”Victoria Patterson ’20” color=”wolfpackred”]It was inspiring to apply because WellRec has done so much for me with increasing my confidence, giving me an outlet, giving the job experience while I’m in school.[/pullquote]

“My parents are farmers and I have a twin sister is at NC State as well. My parents help when they can, but scholarships are the way that I am able to pay for school,” said Patterson

Victoria is an agricultural business major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She hopes to work with the impact that agriculture has on rural communities. She also has an interest in tourism and its effect on improving rural economies.

Her advice to students is to find passions and that even college students can make a difference.

“I have been able to take part in so many amazing opportunities due to people giving more than I could have ever imagined or asked for. The impact that giving to others has on yourself is tenfold,” she said.

If you are interested in supporting Victoria and other Wellness and Recreation student-employees, please consider donating to the
Wellness and Recreation Enhancement Fund.