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Day of Giving challenge funds help our students enrich their academic experiences.

First Published: February 20, 2026 Updated: June 12, 2026 2-min. read
Chayse Jones cleaning a coral tree underwater as part of a coral restoration effort.
Marine sciences student Chayse Jones cleans a coral reef tree during a scuba diving excursion off the coast of Bonaire.

Each year on NC State’s Day of Giving, colleges and units compete in pre-day, all-day and hourly challenges. The college or unit that receives the most gifts or completes a certain task within the hour or throughout the day wins extra funds from the university. The competition is friendly, but the impact is fierce.

Since 2019, the College of Sciences has received more than $76,000 in challenge funds. Dean Lewis Owen has allocated $30,000 of those winnings toward scholarships for five study abroad programs led by Sciences faculty.

In summer 2026, the college disbursed more than $17,000 to 18 students to study in the Bahamas, Bonaire, the Galapagos Islands and Portugal.

Studying abroad is an enriching experience — one that equips students to navigate an increasingly interconnected world — and we’re committed to making it accessible to all students. Read what four of the scholarship recipients had to say about their summer travels. 

“Science is an ever-evolving and unconventional practice, and field work will never lose importance. Having opportunities like this to work in the field where the real data and impact is matter for not just students but for the information sought after and attained.”
-Rob Angst, B.S. Geology

Rob Angst stands on the shore of the Caribbean Sea in the island of Bonaire, wearing scuba diving gear.
Geology student Rob Angst in Bonaire.

“I want to go into research and conservation work. Being able to go on this trip helped me see real life conservation work.”
-Allie Seay, B.S. Zoology

Allie Seay wearing a scuba diving mask floats in the Caribbean Sea and smiles in front of a penguin.
Allie Seay in the Galapagos Islands.

“Seeing the Galapagos Islands truly changed my life. You can read about them, see photos and understand the amazing endemic wildlife found there, but seeing it for yourself is truly incredible. This trip helped me realize I am exactly where I want to be, and wildlife ecology and conservation is a much-needed job in this world.”
-Anna Sherman, B.S. Zoology and B.S. Animal Science

Anna Sherman with a view of a town in the Galapagos Islands in the background.
Anna Sherman in the Galapagos Islands.

“I spent a week in Lisbon, Portugal, shadowing doctors in Santa Maria Hospital. As a student wishing to pursue healthcare, this confirmed my goals and showed me that despite the many differences between regions, there is one common goal of helping people.”
-Lily Watson, B.A. Biological Sciences and B.S. Nutrition Science

Lily Watson standing on a rooftop terrace, with a scenic view of Lisbon, Portugal behind her.
Two people take a selfie wearing medical scrubs and a hair net at Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon, Portugal.
Lily Watson in Lisbon, Portugal.

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