Graduating Textile Engineering Student Learns Life’s a Journey Not a Goal

The year was 1996 when a 17 year old student from Western Guilford High School in Greensboro, NC attended the Summer Textile Exploration Program.  He realized that summer the College of Textiles could give him the education he needed to go on to a higher education after his undergraduate degree was earned.  Through the STEP program he saw how much the industry’s technology had changed in the last twenty years and he knew that more advanced technology would be needed in the future.

Dr. Warren Jasper, a professor here at the college called Win his senior year in high school and asked him to work with him over the summer.  That experience helped Win decide on choosing textile engineering as a major. That type of personal attention made him, “realize that the COT really is interested in their students’ development.” So in the Fall of 1997, Win came to NC State not only as a textile engineer but he came with the honor of being a Park Scholar and in his sophomore year he became a Caldwell Fellow.  Two very high honors here at NC State University.

Up until his sophomore year at State, life had always been goal-oriented  for Win.  Other duties were merely delays, “I wanted to rush through State without pause.”   It wasn’t until a trip to Mount Star in California on an Outward Bound Leadership Excursion with the Caldwell Fellows that he realized “life’s a journey not a goal.”  While climbing Mount Star in the snow they learned that the most efficient way to climb required exactly following the front person’s footsteps.  This required constant attention to only the path in front of you.   Descending the mounting required little ground concentration, it wasn’t until then that he could notice and appreciate the beauty of his surroundings.   Realizing then that second chances didn’t come frequently in life, he decided that his life would be a journey not a goal and that he should  take advantage of the things that were around him.

He came back to school and immediately decided he wanted to be a part of Study Abroad.  He had two years of German in high school, so he started taking additional German classes to prepare himself.  His junior year he went to Freiburg, Germany in the Black Forest.  He studied there for a year, taking his humanities and social science required classes,  “Where else should you learn European history, except in Europe.” Hardly understanding German upon his arrival, he was nearly fluent by the time he left. He came back to NC State to his RA position at Bragaw Residence Hall and to his most academically challenging semester yet.   Even though he went through a lot to learn the language and adjusting back to the US, he says he would advise students to, “take advantage of these opportunities because I learned more about myself and life in that one year than I had ever before.”

Upon returning to State, he became interested in MEMS  (micro electromechanical systems) Technology.  He knew if he was to truly pursue this interest he needed to take more Electrical Engineering courses. Integrating both curriculums required much assistance from his advisor and other COT faculty.  

To further expand his knowledge, last summer while taking night classes he gained an internship with Integrated Industrial Information, Inc. located here on Centennial Campus.   Win has also worked on a project with National Textiles with Dr. Jon Rust at the Mountain City, TN plant.  And most recently he has worked with Bespac in Apex with Dr. Tim Clapp on a senior project.  All of these experiences have been “an awesome learning experience,” says Win. 

                Win says more than anything his support here at the College of Textiles has been a huge help to him.  First of all, Mr. Phillip Dail, freshmen advisor, was a big influence and big support.  Win says, “Mr. Dail allowed me to age correctly to what I want to do now, “ and “he is a role model for the students.”  Also faculty like Dr. Jon Rust and Dr. Tim Clapp, have been very supportive.  Win says, “They have the willingness to support student growth,” and “they want you to develop.”  Furthermore, Kent Hester’s office, Student and Career Services, is “a big advantage for students,” say Win.

                So now that graduation has passed, did Win come to the part in his journey, where he will go on to higher education?   Win, will attend  Arizona State University in Fall 2002 where he will study Biomolecular Nanoelectronics and in four to five years will receive his Ph.D.  Even though Win isn’t going into a normal textile graduate program, when he was asked if he would major in Textile Engineering again, he stated, “Yes, I would  because all the experiences that I have had here lead me to my decision starting this fall.”  Win is a good example of how we should take advantages of the things around us and pursue avenues that may not always be conventional.  The Textile Alumni Association wishes Win all the luck and we congratulate him on pursuing what he wanted and living the journey of life to the fullest.

Graduating Seniors Daryll Willie and Win Ly posing for their senior class picture at graduation on

May 18, 2002.