Champion Thread Co., a Gastonia, North Carolina-based supplier of industrial sewing thread, engineered yarns and other textile and sewn products, has established the Poovey Family Scholarship in honor of its late founder, Robert “Bob” Lee Poovey III. The need-based undergraduate scholarship will benefit students pursuing a degree at the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University, a recognized leader in textile education, research and industry innovation.
According to a news release, four Poovey family members are alumni of N.C. State University: Robert L. Poovey (1935), Robert L. Poovey III (1963), Matt Poovey (2001) and his wife, Melissa Poovey (2000). As part of the Wilson School of Textiles’ 125th anniversary celebration in 2024, the scholarship is funded by a permanent endowment to advance the industry’s talent pipeline.
“This scholarship is more than a recognition — it’s a reflection of my father’s lifelong devotion to the textile industry and his unwavering pride in the Wolfpack,” said Champion Thread CEO Matt Poovey. “He believed deeply in the transformative power of education, excellence, and service. His passion for textiles was matched by a quiet generosity — he had a gift for recognizing when someone just needed a helping hand and he offered it freely, without fanfare. Whether mentoring young professionals or offering encouragement at just the right moment, he believed in helping others rise. This scholarship carries that spirit forward, empowering future students to pursue their goals with courage, diligence and the values that shaped his life and legacy.”
Bob Poovey grew up in the textile industry and studied textiles at N.C. State. During his time at the then-School of Textiles, Poovey was an active member of the ROTC. He later served in the U.S. Army and worked at NASA. After working with sewing-thread-related companies, he leveraged his extensive industry knowledge to found Champion Thread Company in 1979, where he dedicated more than 50 years to the textile industry, the news release said.
“The Wilson College is honored to recognize the Poovey family — a multigenerational Wolfpack family and a pillar of our industry,” noted David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles. “The new scholarship the family has established in memory of Bob Poovey, founder of Champion Thread Company, reflects a legacy of excellence, a commitment to the future, and epitomizes our Wilson for Life philosophy.
“Just as the Poovey family approaches 50 years in business, this gift ensures that the next generation of textile leaders will have the support they need to innovate, grow, and carry forward the values that have defined both their company and the Wilson College,” Hinks said.
