THE INK POT & QUILL Summer 2014
Issue No. Five
www.ecu.edu/honors
Greetings, The Ink Pot and Quill is derived from the official East Carolina University seal. Symbols of scribes, the ink pot and quill represent the creative arts and the contributions of the students to the world of business.
IN THIS ISSUE
The Honors College community is excited to have celebrated an incredible number of accomplishments by our students, faculty, and staff this past year. One particular milestone consumed our attention as we celebrated the graduation of our inaugural class. These students have built the foundation upon which others have followed and have helped to create a magnet at ECU for aspiring scholars and leaders. We look forward with great anticipation to the trails they will blaze in diverse professional pathways and the impact they will have on communities across the globe. An article appeared in ECU’s official magazine, East, about this new crop of graduates.
What’s New in the Honors College.................................Page 2 EC Scholar Rock and Run 5K........................................Page 2 Student Spotlight.............................................................Page 3 Honors Seminars..........................................................Page 4-5 Leadership Lectures.....................................................Page 6-7 Living-Learning............................................................Page 8-9 Honors Ambassadors....................................................Page 10 Alumni News & Notes...................................................Page 11 Undergraduate Research...............................................Page 12
This issue of the Ink Pot and Quill will provide a snapshot of many of these accomplishments and the outcomes associated with a productive and influential year in the Honors College. As always, we welcome your thoughtful suggestions and ongoing support.
Kevin Baxter Associate Dean
Inaugural Graduates.....................................................Page 13 Relay for Life.................................................................Page 14
Congratulations to Associate Dean Kevin Baxter and his wife Erica, who added baby boy Lincoln to their family on November 22, 2013!
Graduating Class of 2014 at the Honors College Commencement Reception
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors/
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What’s New in the Honors College EXCITING PERSONNEL UPDATES FOR THE HONORS COLLEGE Jessica Nottingham, Coordinator for Recruitment and Marketing Jessica joined the Honors College as the Coordinator of Recruitment and Marketing in June 2014 after working for the College of Education as the Director of Development and Communications and for the Office of Marketing and Publications (Creative Services) as a Public Communication Specialist both at East Carolina University. Throughout Jessica’s career at ECU, she has served as an adjunct instructor for the School of Communication at East Carolina, her alma mater.
Todd Fraley, Director of EC Scholars Todd Fraley is continuing his work with the ECU Honors College as the Director of EC Scholars. Todd has been Faculty Fellow for EC Scholars for the past two years and has served as an associate professor in the School of Communication for 10 years where he was also the Coordinator for Undergraduate Studies and the Internship Director. He holds bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Sociology from James Madison University and earned his MA and PhD in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Georgia, Athens.
Since graduating from the School of Communication in 2006 with a bachelor of arts degree and in 2008 with a master of arts in communication, Jessica has worked with a wide range of marketing and public relations including referral relations, fundraising, event planning, advisory board and alumni engagement, and writing/ editing for marketing materials.
Before joining the Honors College during the summer of 2010, she served ECU as an associate professor in the College of Education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before arriving at East Carolina University in 2003, Katie taught in the North Carolina public schools for nine years.
While at ECU, Todd has received numerous awards, including the University Centennial Award for Excellence in Leadership and the Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching. Katie O’Connor, Associate Dean for Academic Programs With the addition of the Director of EC Scholars, Dr. Katherine (Katie) O’Connor will be able to focus her efforts on the Honors College academic programs and curriculum as the Associate Dean for Academic Programs.
EC Scholar Rock ‘n Run 5K EXERCISE FOR EDUCATION
The EC Scholars, under the guidance of Dr. Katie O’ Connor and Dr. Todd Fraley, planned a 5K with a goal of impacting the community and directing proceeds to the Pitt County Board of Education.
The “Rock ‘n Run” 5K was held at the North Campus Recreation Center on March 23. There were 109 participants and the EC Scholars raised more than $1,000 to donate to the Pitt County Educational Foundation. All 60 Scholars came together to plan this huge event in a short amount of time. Mansi Trivedi, a junior EC Scholar who helped coordinate the event, commented, “I think that we made a great relationship with the Pitt County Public School System. They were so gracious upon receiving our
gift, and I am so excited that as a group we were able to positively impact the lives of local students.”
Dr. Todd Fraley, senior Christine Gurganus and freshman Keerthana Velappan present a check to the Pitt County Board of Education.
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors/
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Student Spotlight: Hetal Patel SPREADING PURPLE PRIDE ACROSS THE GLOBE Hetal’s interest in the lives of those from other, usually more impoverished, countries spans beyond learning about their culture to improving their lifestyle and helping those in need. She hopes to spend her first summer after medical school volunteering in Dharamsala, India at Tong-Len. Hetal originally inquired
Patel studyi ng
abroad in In dia
in 2012.
Many students dream of traversing the globe and making a difference in the lives of numerous people from countries throughout the world. Hetal Rajesh Patel, a senior Biology major and Religious Studies minor, has achieved this goal by making her way to 14 countries. Hetal has travelled to Northern India with the Study Abroad program Exploring Sacred Places led by Dr. Derek Maher. While on her travels, she learned about Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and the Bahai faith. She never believed she would go from living in Cary to seeing the wonders of the world, including the Great Wall of China. Hetal’s adventures have taken her whitewater rafting in the Ganges River and given her the opportunity to listen to the Dalai Lama speak. On a trip to India her first summer after freshman year, she decided to minor in Religious Studies. After immersing herself into new religions and cultures, she realized how much she was unaware of and wanted to continuing learning about religions and cultures.
nts there Tong Len Hostel with some of the stude
about ECU’s Honors College when her brother was enrolled, not knowing that one day she would be graduating from ECU in three years as an Honors student with Early Assurance to Brody Medical School. Her calling in Primary Care strengthened after taking part in the ECU Primary Care Physician’s Shadowing Program and immersing herself within the possibilities of a future career changing lives for the better. While volunteering at the Vidant Children Emergency Center, Hetal became aware of her passion to help others and decided to make helping others a major component of the rest of her life. Her commitment to serving others and taking the role of a leader encompasses the values of East Carolina’s mission statement. Hetal is a member of Gamma Sigma Sigma service sorority, Phi Kappa Phi honor society, and Vice President of Service for Omicron Delta Kappa.
me picture with so tel posing for a Tong Len Hos l. hoste that attend the of the children
She volunteers at Pitt Literacy Center, Habitat for Humanity, is a Pirate-toPirate mentor, and works at Pirate Tutoring Center helping students with General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Hetal’s excellence has been recognized numerous times throughout her college career. She has been awarded the Pirate Alumni Scholarship and Freshman General Chemistry Award, recognition on the Chancellor’s List, and the Thomas Rivers Scholarship allowing her to travel to China with a USDA Cotton Research Grant. After graduating from medical school and helping impoverished people in India, Hetal hopes to save enough money to travel the world for a year and continue to broaden her horizons.
Patel studying ab road in China in
2013.
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors/
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Beyond the Books HONORS SEMINARS ENCOURAGE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
The Honors College at East Carolina University requires its students to partake in at least two Honors Seminars during their college career. These seminars involve hands-on learning in a diverse array of studies to which the student would not otherwise be exposed. The seminars offered are intellectually rigorous, eye-opening, experiential and creative. For a seminar to be offered, ECU faculty members must submit a proposed syllabus to the Honors College to be selected out of a large pool of applicants. These seminars provide faculty with the opportunity to delve into subjects for which they are passionate.
In April of 2014, the “Behavioral Addictions” seminar traveled to the 8th annual Rehabilitation of Racial and Ethnic Minorities with Behavioral Addictions Conference in Greensboro as a way to better understand the onset and treatment of current addictions throughout the world, both behavioral and substance-related.
Dr. Tim Runyan, who has served as director of the graduate program in Maritime Studies at ECU and now serves as Honors College faculty fellow, finds great pleasure in educating students on the interactions found between people and the sea in the seminar titled “Ocean Exploration: Shipwrecks, Conservation, and Technology.” The class was able to take a trip to the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort to learn about the Queen Anne’s Revenge and a trip in which students learned how to scuba dive.
The Behavioral Addictions class attended the 8th annual REMBA conference in Greensboro, N.C.
To view a more detailed description of the individual seminars, visit the Honors College Academic Courses online. The Honors Seminars offered in the spring 2014 semester included: • • • • • • •
The Appalachian Culture seminar practicing folk dancing at the Wright Cultural Center.
These seminars are unique in that they come with funding that allows for interactive events such as field experiences and group activities that would otherwise be too costly and unfeasible.
• • • • • • •
An Assault on Humanity: The Holocaust Behavioral Addictions Extreme Physics Global Heavy Metal Music Global Understanding in Health Sciences: Art as Social Commentary Honors Creative Writing Workshop: Poetry and Fiction How Do We Know Where We Are? Exploring Geospatial History and Technology In Search of Sacred Space: Liminal Places in the Past and Present Ocean Exploration: Shipwrecks, Conservation, and Technology Polyhedra and Tessellations: Visions of Symmetry in Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Art and Design The Psychology of Human-Dog Dog Interactions Root that Mountain Down: Appalachian Culture and Rural Imaginings in America Science and Society in the Age of Genomics Social Entrepreneurship, Engagement, and Community Building
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors/
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Beyond the Books HONORS SEMINARS ENCOURAGE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING “For my honors seminar I chose to be in the Global Health we had the opportunity to meet some extraordinary people that were very inspirational to me and they further motivate and Art seminar taught by Professor Susan Martin Meggs me to become a nurse.” and Doctor Annette G. Greer. Upon signing up for this class, -Karina Evon Buchholz, freshman I was a little uncertain how this class was going to combine art with global health, but being a prenursing major and a fan of art I decided it “This semester I have had the opportunity was the best choice for me. The instructors to participate in the Global Heavy Metal of this course do not care how much Music honors seminar. This seminar was experience a student has had with art, they just care that the students are willing to try out of my comfort zone because I have not their hardest with the art and to help make a had much exposure to the heavy metal difference in the community. This class music scene, but I felt as though it would be introduced me to many new concepts about a good chance for me to expand my musical art and health around the world, and it has background. Although often times the really challenged me to go out of my listening we do in class is not my taste, I comfort zone and try new things that I never enjoy learning about musical culture across thought I would be doing at this point in my the globe. Professor Guberman does a great life, such as giving a docent art tour at the job of making sure the class became very Greenville Art Museum. Many of guest involved in what we learned, which is one of speakers have visited the class and they my favorite aspects of the course. Dr. have traveled internationally on several Guberman used interactive class wikis to occasions to places such as Guatemala and help us learn the musical qualities associated Zambia, and they are working toward with various heavy metal scenes, from Japan improving global health or simply traveling to Latin America. I enjoyed participating in to learn about culture. It is truly fascinating something new and different to me, which is to hear stories about health, culture, exactly what this seminar did.” religion, and art of other countries from -Amy Marie Taylor, freshman Honors Banner created by the Global first-hand accounts, and it has inspired me Understanding seminar further to want to explore what the world has to “The Holocaust Seminar was one of great offer and to help others to my full capacity. interest to me. I have greatly enjoyed the class thus far. We have discussed all kinds of subjects regarding the Holocaust. As well as having the opportunity for guest speakers, we also Most of which, none of us had even heard about. Most of us had the opportunity to learn many new art lessons such as had heard of the Nazi Propaganda and the atrocities in the sketching, marbling fabric, quilt making, photography, and concentration camps, but not many had heard of the many other art related topics that help us to further develop horrendous actions encountered outside the camps such as our observational skills. These observational skills are skills the massacres by non-Germans in villages called pogroms. that will help future health professionals to be able to stay in Furthermore, we discussed how the Shoah came to a tune to their patients and observe symptoms that they may civilized continent like Europe. Using the aid of several not have previously noticed. . During this seminar we also different books of various perspectives, we discussed what led had the opportunity to meet and work with some very wellto this event. It is a class that has truly made me think and known artists, such as Kymia Nawabi and Hasan Elahi, and validate the beliefs I stand on. I would encourage anyone to we had the chance to visit the Golden Living Assisted Living take the class.” Facility for our service learning. Visiting Golden Living in -Matthew David Earley, freshman Greenville has been one of my favorite experiences because The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors/
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Leadership Lecture Series ECU’s head football coach Ruffin McNeill visited a room full of eager Honors College students on March 19th to discuss life experiences and leadership. The ECU alumnus shared his personal story, from growing up during a time of racial segregation to becoming head coach of one of the best schools in the country. McNeill played football all four years of his college career at ECU as a defensive back. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Clemson to earn a master’s degree in counseling. Since earning his master’s, McNeill has coached football at the high school level and 23 seasons at the college level, which included seasons at Clemson, Austin Peay State, North Alabama, Appalachian State, UNLV, Fresno State, and Texas Tech. McNeill was welcomed to the Pirate Nation as head coach in 2010, and ever since, he has been a prominent example of leadership at ECU, both on and off of the field.
Coach Ruffin McNeill with Jeanann Woodard
Humble, laid-back, and compassionate, McNeill shared everything from the lessons he has learned in life to what it is like being the coach for a major university. “I think a leader is someone who can take a group somewhere that they couldn’t go to by themselves,” says McNeill. Some of his favorite guidelines for life include “A.B.C.” (avoid bad company) and “A.C.O.P.” (attitude, confidence, organization, priorities). When talking about ECU and his time with the football team, he shared, “My upbringing and this school have taught me how to face adversity. Life is 5 percent what happens to you, and 95 percent how you react to it…that’s what being a leader is about.”
Ruffin McNeil speaks with students Ruffin McNeill speaks with Kathleen Tcherkezian.
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors/
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Leadership Lecture Series Robin Emmons saw a deficit of healthy foods and cultural knowledge of how to cook them in the Charlotte, NC area. She immediately tore up her own backyard and began to grow food for the community. What started as a simple backyard experiment has turned into a nationally recognized non-profit organization called Sow Much Good. Emmons shared the trials and triumphs of creating Sow Much Good from scratch, as well as how she plans to move forward. You can view news coverage of the event here.
John Fletcher at the top of Mt. Kilamanjaro
CNN Hero Robin Emmons visits with Honors students
Dr. John T. Fletcher provides leadership to ECU for the development of effective and efficient recruitment and retention programs for the university. He has a total of 30 years of experience in higher education. Outside of the university, Dr. Fletcher enjoys mountaineering. On May 26th, 2009 he reached the summit of Mt. McKinley, North America’s highest mountain. His many other adventures span across Mexico and Ecuador.
Bland Simpson has been a professor of English and Creative Writing at UNC since 1982 and is an authority on Eastern North Carolina mysteries, geography, and culture. Not only is he a professor, but he also is a long time pianist for The Red Clay Ramblers, a Tony Award winning string band. He has toured in North America, Europe, and North Africa, as well as contributed to many musicals and ballets over the years. Be on the lookout for updates on our Leadership Lecture Series, as it continues next semester. If you are interested in participating in our Leadership Lecture Series as either a presenter or attendee, please let us know! Bland Simpson takes a quick picture with Honors College students in the Gallery of the Mamie Jenkins Building
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors/
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In the “Flickr” of an Eye A Photo Story of our Spring 2014 Living-Learning Experiences
Walk on the Wild Side Students traveled across the state to take a Walk on the Wild Side at the Asheboro Zoo! (It was a great chance for everyone to meet little Lincoln Baxter and celebrate Mr. Baxter’s birthday!)
Exploring the local pickle factory A group of pickle-loving Honors College students went behind the scenes at the Mt. Olive Pickle Company at the end of March.
Casey Johnson, sophomore
Honors College students pull on their caps before entering the factory!
Senior Honors students enjoying ice cream and some quality time with little Linc
After partaking in a lunch provided by our friends at Southern Bank, students were given a detailed tour of the factory to learn about how the factory is run.
Students enjoyed the beautiful spring weather while learning about North American and African wildlife. (Did you know that the Asheboro Zoo is the one of the largest natural habitat zoos in the United States? To travel from the front to the back of the park was a 2-mile walk!)
Casey Johnson, sophomore
Students were amazed to see the work that goes into packaging one of their favorite salty snacks. Freshman honors students pose next to the elephant exhibit
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors/
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In the “Flickr” of an Eye
Once the musical “Once” upon a time, ECU’s Honors College students embarked on a trip to the Nasher Museum of Art. With full stomachs thanks to Tobacco Road Sports Café, students trekked to the Durham Performing Arts Center to watch the musical Once!
From all of the Honors College students at ECU, thank you, donors, for supporting our growth both inside and outside of the classroom.
More 75 Honors College students were in Richmond to thank our donors!
Monticello, Fantastic Food, and Roller Coasters The last Living-Learning Experience of the semester, High-Flying History with Presidents and Kings, was the Honors College’s largest Living Learning Experience yet with more than 70 attendees!
The second day of the Richmond, Virginia trip was a fun-filled day at Kings Dominion!
The first day of the trip was spent on an excursion to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s famous home.
Mr. Baxter, Dr. O’Connor, Jessica Jewell, and Shayna Mooney
For more information on our living-learning experiences and to view upcoming events, visit our Living-Learning Community page. After touring the home, generous donors sponsored delicious food at The Boat House near the James River!
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors
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Dividing and Conquering HONORS AMBASSADORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE The Honors Ambassadors have broken up into four separate committees to focus more directed energy towards necessary efforts in the Honors College: recruitment, student programming, marketing and philanthropy. This semester, about 80 Honors College students serve as Honors Ambassadors. Each committee is managed by two co-chairs who coordinate various projects for committee members throughout the semester, including bi-weekly meetings. Updates for each of the four committees for this semester are listed below.
• • • •
PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE Volunteered with kids at the Little Willie Center every Friday, assisting them with service projects Assisted in Butter Bean Auction at Golden Living retirement home Created goody bags, wreaths, and holiday-themed items to auction off to residents at Golden Living Developed and maintained pen pal program with fifth graders at Elmhurst Elementary School
• • • •
PHILANTHROPY COMMITTEE Supported the various efforts of the Honors College Relay for Life team Assisted with the planning and implementation of various fundraisers Encouraged personal fundraising among committee members and other Honors College students Organized and executed three onsite fundraisers
"I enjoyed being involved in Ambassadors because it makes me feel more connected to my peers in the Honors College. I also feel that it has given me a way to contribute to the program that has done so much for me."
“I like Ambassadors because it brings service to the forefront of students’ minds on a weekly basis, instead of just once a year.” Megan Woodlief Programming Committee Co-Chair
Martha Ervin Marketing Committee Secretary
As part of Students Give Back Week in the fall, the Philanthropy Committee expressed their appreciation to faculty across campus making a difference in students’ lives.
• • • • •
MARKETING COMMITTEE Contributed to articles for the Ink Pot & Quill Created a video featuring the Honors dorm, Garrett Hall, to be displayed on the Honors College website Expanded blogging efforts for the Honors College Participated in service events supporting Relay for Life Improved social media outreach efforts, specifically utilizing the Honors College Twitter account
• • • • •
RECRUITMENT COMMITTEE Volunteered at Spring Open House Organized individual recruiting efforts executed over spring break Participated in a service project making goody baskets for Riley’s Army Served as tour guides for a fifth grade visit to the Honors College Hosted Pitt County students at dinner and advised them on important things to know for college
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors
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Alumni News & Notes New and exciting things are happening at the East Carolina Honors College, including the creation of the Honors College Alumni Society! Become a mentor, an inspiration, a role model. Be a guiding light for those who follow in your footsteps. There are no forms to fill out and no fees to pay. Those who remain East Carolina Honors students for at least two semesters grants alumni status. You are already a member of the Honors College Alumni Society! Since its launch in 2010, the East Carolina University Honors College has recruited academically talented students to become the leaders of tomorrow by engaging them in a challenging, stimulating and a diverse intellectual community. To partner with the new East Carolina University Honors College, the Honors College Alumni Society was launched in 2013. The Alumni Society’s primary focus has been to
create multiple avenues for alumni to connect with current students and remain involved in the Honors community. Come join us and become part of a new tradition to help make the Honors College Alumni Society an instrumental resource for our students! We will begin holding events for Honors College Alumni in the fall starting with the Honors College Convocation. Please save the date, September 5, 2014, for the Honors College Convocation. You can also help us stay in touch with you by updating your information. Click on this link to update your information: Contact Form. You can check out the Honors College and Honors College Alumni Society at www.ecu.edu/honors or on Facebook. If you have a LinkedIn account, you can connect with Alumni Society members by joining our group. Also, if you are in the Greenville area, stop by our new building, Mamie Jenkins!
Ajay Ajmera, Kelli Soos, Ryan Carter-Stanley, Chris Thaxtom, and Spencer Jackson attending the Alumni Event in Washington D.C.
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors
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Undergraduate Research A Valued Experience
Every semester, Honors students are encouraged by the Honors faculty to pursue research both within and outside their field of study. This semester makes no exception. More than 70 students presented their original research or creative endeavor, many of whom completed it as part of their Honors thesis. Most presented at Research and Creative Achievement Week during the first week of April here at ECU. This gave students an opportunity to present on a wide array of interests or topics.
Ajay Ajmera and Aenia Amin speaking with Honors Advisor Mr. Jim Ellis.
responded, “No, definitely not, but I’m glad I’ve done it now that I can look back at all the experience I have gained. It has helped with my writing skills, and it is always good to practice speaking professionally in front of a group.”
Kathleen Tcherkezian presents during RCAW.
Kathleen Tcherkezian, a senior business management major, presented on the changing role of females in the Air Force. Tcherkezian is active in the ROTC here at ECU, and said that she plans to pursue a career in the Air Force once she graduates, which is why this topic appealed to her. When asked if she would have pursued a thesis on her own without the Honors College requiring it, Tcherkezian
Like Tcherkezian, sophomore Anna Lawrence pursued a project that she was personally interested in. Lawrence, a double major in Hispanic studies and anthropology with a minor in linguistics, presented a critical analysis of the Spanish film“Blancanieves” (2012). Lawrence wasn’t required to present but was encouraged to by professor and research mentor, Dr. Purificación Martínez in the Spanish Department. Lawrence commented, “This is my first large scale research paper. My only previous experience was in the Honors colloquium, but this was my first big time event.” She
added, “I don’t want to do my Honors thesis on Spanish. I already know I want to focus on sociolinguistics, but I feel like the experience has prepared me for the process senior year.” Sophomore EC Scholar Ajay Ajmera worked with freshman Aenia Amin on a project that won for Biomedical Science, and Senior Evan Arthur won in the Natural Sciences category. Not all students present at Research and Creative Achieve Week, though. Senior EC Scholar and Chemistry major Kofi Monney presented his research on different teaching practices among autistic populations at the 12th Annual College of Human Ecology Student Research & Creative Activities Forum and took top place in the “Scholarship & Engagement” category.
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors
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The Inaugural Honors College Class REFLECTIONS OF AN HONORS GRADUATE A reflection by senior EC Scholar Sandra Ross.
The Honors College inaugural class is unique in a lot of ways. We were rushed into this process. We didn't even know we could apply for it; instead incoming ECU students with a high GPA and a worthy list of extracurricular activities were sent an invitation. Check yes to join the “Honors College” or check no and continue through ECU as any other student. We didn’t know what we were signing up for. Unlike now, there were no pamphlets, tours, or Preview Days. We just checked yes because, well, why not?
changed in the Freshman Colloquium where we were sent off in assigned groups of six or seven to try and impact our new community, Greenville. While there were aggravating times (let us never forget our several assignments on the beloved Tommy Spaulding), we were in it together. And for every trial, there was always a reward. We joined the College not Margaret Amy, expecting any awards, but Kath present their po erine Reese, Sara Caropreso, were pleasantly surprised ster as part of the sophomore and Rachel Pollard research colloqu during our Colloquium to ium. hear all of our in-state and tuitions would be covered Living-Learning trips were for all four years. slowly being introduced.
We shared a lot of those experiences that are unique to our year. Perhaps most notably of these were our moments shared with the International Students who also lived in Jones. We had a lot of special moments, but we didn’t have a lot of the things most Honors students take for granted now. We loquium to col an hm fres the its ing vis Author Tommy Spauld s leadership. didn’t even have an Honors discus College building, just a small cramped office in Brewster no one And our decision paid off in spades. wanted to visit. However, freshman All 110 of us arrived at College Hill, year came and went, and we were no put our stuff up away in Jones Hall longer the only Honors College and quickly found friends down the students on campus. hall, most of whom were part of the Honors College. We walked to We arrived back on campus for classes together, spent hours sophomore year and the Honors agonizing over homework together College had been completely and ate at Todd Dining Hall in revamped. Freshmen were living in groups. If there were any students Garrett Hall, we had our own we hadn’t met yet, that was quickly building (the lovely Mamie Jenkins),
In just one short year, so much had changed. Our class was still pioneering the way, taking every brand new Colloquium and every other change thrown our way. The term “guinea pigs” was never used, but we were frequently the students who test-drove classes, ideas, and trips. We gave the feedback that helped shaped how the Honors College is today. Now it is our last time to pioneer the way. On May 8th, our class, the inaugural class, will be the first ones to step across the stage at an Honors College Commencement. It will be our last time to celebrate as a group. Even though some of us graduated early and others may be taking an extra semester (or two), we all form this inaugural class and we all are Honors College Pirates.
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors
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Relay for Life FLIPPIN’ THE SWITCH ON CANCER This year the Honors College Relay for Life team was co-captained by junior Adrian Modzik and freshman Matt Earley. Their combined efforts allowed the College to exceed its goal of $2,500 by raising more than $3,800 towards cancer research.
then the friends had to raise money to be released and “Fresh to Def Snapbacks,” where students could pay $5 for a snapback and decorate it with gel pens.
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HONORS COLLEGE FACULTY & STAFF
The Honors College always welcomes your questions, comments, and suggestions as we continue to grow and develop. Below please find a listing of our team.
Throughout the year, the Honors College hosted “Percentage Nights” at various restaurants around Greenville. There were also “Change Wars” for the EC Scholar classes to see who could raise the most money.
Marianna Walker, Dean
At the Relay for Life event, there were several activities to raise money, such as “Phil the Jailer,” where students paid to handcuff friends together and
Todd Fraley, Director of the EC
Kevin Baxter, Associate Dean Katie O’Connor, Associate Dean for Academic Programs Sophomore Ajay Ajmera and junior Destiny Dehart generating attention for the Honors Relay tent.
Upcoming Events August 21 Move-In Day for Incoming Honors College Freshmen August 22 Service Day September 5 Honors College Convocation October 4 Honors College Homecoming Breakfast For a full calendar of events, please visit the Honors College calendar. Curious what the Honors College has done this summer? Visit flickr to see pictures from our Summer Kickoff Series.
Scholars Program Jessica Nottingham, Coordinator for Recruitment and Marketing Jim Ellis, Academic Advisor Tim Runyan, Faculty Fellow Liz Fogarty, Faculty Fellow Kindal Shores, Faculty Fellow Sue Chapman, Business Services Coordinator Kim Smith, Executive Assistant Cricket Morris, Major Gifts Officer The Honors College can be reached at 252-328-6373 or through email at honorscollege@ecu.edu. For more information on the Honors College, visit www.ecu.edu/honors/.
Connect with us!
The Honors College, 101 Mamie Jenkins Building, Greenville, NC 27858 | 252-328-6373 | www.ecu.edu/honors