A Wolfpack Legacy: Summer Carson ’28
Two generations, one Wolfpack dream come true.
Right: Daniel and his two daughters at an NC State basketball game.
For transfer student Summer Carson ’28, becoming part of the Wolfpack is more than just a personal milestone — it’s the fulfillment of a family legacy. Attending NC State was a dream she shared with her father, Daniel Carson, a first-generation college student who graduated from NC State in December 1999 with a degree in electrical engineering.
Growing up in Sampson County, Daniel was determined to attend the only school he applied to — NC State. Coming from a small town, he felt his chances were slim, but his acceptance letter arrived before Thanksgiving in 1993. That letter remains a treasured keepsake: “He still has his letter in his memory box,” says Summer.
From an early age, Daniel’s alma mater was woven into the fabric of Summer’s life. “One of the many NC State traditions that my dad has passed down to me was being a part of the Junior Wolfpack Club since I was born,” she says. “We received a special package each year with NC State merchandise and T-shirts.” Those T-shirts were featured in the family Christmas cards, which were NC State-themed and often taken in front of the Murphy Center.
More treasured memories were built between father and daughter through attending athletics games — and celebrating Wolfpack victories together. “My favorite NC State memory has to be rushing the Belltower with my dad and sisters during March Madness,” Summer remembers. “We stayed until 2 a.m. to watch the basketball team return after their Elite Eight win against Duke. I even got a high five from Casey Morsell!”
Their shared love of NC State athletics played into her decision to apply to her dad’s alma mater. “He wanted me to attend NC State because there is nothing like being a Wolfpack fan,” Summer says. “The community that we have grown up in and the things we have been able to experience through NC State have been unmatched … This was originally my dad’s dream but it became mine the older I grew when I saw how passionate my father was about the school.”
When it came time for Summer to apply to colleges, NC State was the goal. Though she didn’t get in on her first try, she remained determined. Summer started her college journey at UNC Wilmington and worked hard toward transferring to NC State, achieving her goal for the spring 2025 semester.
This was originally my dad’s dream but it became mine the older I grew when I saw how passionate my father was about the school.
Summer received her NC State acceptance letter on November 15, 2024. Eleven days later, she learned she’d be living in Lee Residence Hall — the same dorm her father called home as a freshman. “It was an extremely full circle moment for me and my dad,” Summer says, reflecting on how much this shared experience means to them both.
Now, Summer is stepping into a new chapter as a communications major with a minor in business entrepreneurship, set to graduate in 2028. Whether it’s wearing her dad’s old gym sweatshirt — a relic from his freshman P.E. class — or rushing the Belltower after Wolfpack wins, Summer’s journey is a reminder that at NC State, traditions are more than memories; they’re dreams passed from one generation to the next.
