Cherry Crayton and Kathryn Crayton
Kathryn Crayton (B.S. Education ’92; M.Ed. ’01) and her daughter, Cherry Crayton (B.A. Communications ’01; M.Ed. Education ’03), have established the CKC Endowment in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. They recognize the importance of scholarships that help reduce the financial burden of attending college. They also understand that many students face additional challenges to reaching their educational goals and may come from a variety of backgrounds. Kathryn and Cherry encourage all students to use their experiences, talents, skills and resources to help others and to build stronger, more equitable communities.
Kathryn began attending NC State as a lifelong, non-degree student and a single mother of two children at the age of 34 because she wanted to transition to a career where she could help people. She was encouraged by a former instructor in the English department, Robbie Knott, to continue her studies and pursue a bachelor’s degree as a nontraditional student. Four years later, Kathryn completed her Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education-English Language and Social Studies, and she later earned a Master of Education. She retired in 2016 after 25 years of teaching experience and making a positive impact on the lives of thousands of students in Wake County. Since retiring, Kathryn has used her interests in history, financial planning and helping others by volunteering as a docent for the North Carolina Museum of History, an AARP Tax Aide counselor and a driver for Meals on Wheels. She also enjoys road trips, college sports (particularly Wolfpack men’s and women’s basketball), gardening and home improvement projects. A native of Garner, North Carolina, Kathryn has a son, Tripp; a daughter, Cherry; and two grandchildren, Hadley and Ameerah.
Cherry was inspired by Kathryn’s decision to begin college as a working single mother. She spent a great deal of time on NC State’s campus while growing up during her mother’s undergraduate experience. She helped copy reading materials in D. H. Hill Jr. Library; she ran into buildings to drop off assignments at faculty offices; she attended numerous Wolfpack women’s basketball games; and she even sat in on a few of her mother’s classes over the summer. It was a formative experience as Cherry saw how earning a college degree can change the trajectory of a life and an entire family. It is also how and why Cherry came to love NC State. Although there were initial sacrifices the family made while Kathryn earned her college degree, NC State gave Kathryn an opportunity that led to a more financially secure life.
When it was time for Cherry to apply to college, NC State was the first and foremost choice. She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, where faculty members like Robert Entman and Steve Wiley provided support, encouragement and mentorship that helped her grow her skill set and confidence. Faculty selected her as the Department of Communication’s 2001 Outstanding Graduate. She also holds a Master of Education from NC State’s College of Education.
With a passion for storytelling and education, Cherry has spent her career working in marketing and communication at institutions of higher education, including Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Most of her career has been spent at NC State, where she has worked in News Services as a staff writer, at the Alumni Association as a magazine editor and in the College of Education as the director of marketing and communication. Cherry also has a heart for children who have been through traumatic experiences, and she supports causes that advance equity and democratic values and that benefit animals, the elderly and families headed by a single parent. Cherry is from Garner, North Carolina, and has a daughter, Ameerah.