Auten Gift Enhances NC State Engineering Spaces

Long-time NC State supporters George and Grace Auten have made a significant philanthropic investment in naming a three-part study space in Fitts-Woolard Hall. Their contribution reflects a deep, decades-long connection to the university and aims to inspire others to give back.

George R. Auten Jr., a U.S. Air Force veteran and NC State ISE graduate (BS in IE ’78; MSIE ’87), emphasized the personal significance of the gift. “NC State has played a central role in the life of our family,” he said. “My wife, Grace, and I are both graduates and ‘State Mates,’ and all three of our sons attended State. We’ve been connected to the university for over 50 years, even while moving around the world as a US Air Force family. Giving back to the university is simply the right thing to do.”

The state-of-the-art Fitts-Woolard Hall houses the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) and the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. The Dean’s suite of offices and the NC State Engineering Foundation are also located here.

“I was fortunate enough to meet George on my first trip to Hickory in his Atriax offices, which were located in a renovated old house downtown,” says Wanda Urbanska, ISE’s director of philanthropy. Fittingly, his office was located in the 1912 George L. Bailey House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “George Auten immediately struck me as another George Bailey, the kind, caring character played by Jimmy Steward in the Hollywood Christmas classic, ‘It’s a Wonderful Life, ’” Urbanska said. “George Auten personifies service above self and treats his employees and community with respect.” (The Atriax Group, a buildings solutions company with a national reach, for which George Auten is CEO,) has since grown and moved its headquarters to a larger, adaptively reused facility on SW Main Street in Hickory.) 

Auten’s interest in engaging philanthropically with the ISE department and college was immediately apparent to Urbanska and Julie Swann, ISE department head, who also participated in their initial meeting. After looking at several options, George and Grace, his physician wife, an NC State graduate (BS – Ag & Life Sciences ’’78), decided to name a three-part study space on the fourth floor of Fitts-Woolard Hall.”

Swann explained how the donation would be used. “The Auten family gift will support Fitts-Woolard Hall. In particular, the Auten family has chosen to name a glass-walled, three-room collaboratory space on the fourth floor. These spaces are regularly used by students for studying and small group sessions.”

Swann also discussed the importance of such gifts. “Fitts-Woolard Hall is the first building at NC State that is a public-private partnership funded both by government funding and donors. The gift from George and Grace Auten will allow the college to free up additional resources to support students and the growth in engineering.”

Urbanska further emphasized the impact. “Space naming is an important contribution to the financial health of the college. Students pursuing an ISE degree most frequently use this space.”

The Autens hope their gift encourages others to contribute. “Open a dialogue with the development officer,” Auten advised. “They are quite willing to provide options, without any pressure, and to scale potential gifts to meet your objectives. This talented staff is one’s best navigator when considering a gift.”

When asked for advice for prospective donors, Urbanska encouraged them to find what matters most to them. “Find out what priority means the most to you. George is in the building industry, so naming a space in our newish building was impactful to him and his entire family.”

“Interestingly, Fitts-Woolard Hall houses the ISE and CCEE departments, where George and two of his sons and one daughter-in-law studied.”

Swann added, “Donations are critical to the success of the department, the college and the university, especially given changes in funding models over the last decade or more. Prospective donors may work with Wanda Urbanska and university leadership to target donations based on their passion or specific interests.”

When asked for advice for current students, Auten kept his message simple: “Play the long game! Your current studies are only a step in the journey. Immerse yourself into the life of the university!”

Looking ahead, Swann noted the growing resource demand in the College of Engineering. “We are grateful for the support of George Auten and others! This is especially important given the anticipated 40 percent growth in engineering students.”

With the support of alums like George and Grace Auten, NC State’s College of Engineering continues to solidify its standing as one of the top engineering programs in the country. Their contribution helps ensure that future students have access to world-class facilities like Fitts-Woolard Hall for generations to come.