College of Business establishes community spirit scholarship fund
The College of Business at East Carolina University announces the creation of the Howard and Virginia Brown Community Spirit Scholarship Fund, thanks to a donation from ECU alumna Bonnie Brown of Washington, D.C.
The charitable gift honors Brown’s parents’ lifelong commitment to community service and also celebrates their 60thwedding anniversary.
Ms. Brown said a scholarship that recognizes students for service is “a fitting tribute to my mother and father at a very special time in their lives.” She credits her parents for inspiring her own dedication to service, noting that her father emphasized service to customers before it was the “in thing.”
Dr. Fredrick Niswander, dean of the College of Business, said, “In the College of Business, this scholarship is unique in its focus on community service.” Niswander continued, “The Brown family truly embodies the spirit of ECU’s motto, ‘To Serve.’ Bonnie Brown has been an energetic supporter of the college for many years and has clearly learned the importance of giving back to the community from her parents.”
Brown graduated from the College of Business in 1971 and has devoted most of her career to management consulting. Brown says her ECU education exposed her to a wide variety of business topics that have proven to be invaluable, particularly in the early stages of her career.
The Howard and Virginia Brown Community Spirit Scholarship awards $4,000 per year to a full-time, undergraduate student enrolled the College of Business. Recipients must demonstrate active involvement in their communities, whether on or off-campus.
College of Business student and Raleigh native Emily Mae Gartland was awarded the first scholarship in April 2007. Gartland said, “It’s an honor to be the first recipient of such a prestigious award. I look forward to continuing my community service at Wahl Coates Elementary School and the Boys and Girls Club, and I will encourage other students to serve as well.”
The Howard and Virginia Brown Community Spirit Scholarship is a significant addition to the scholarships made available to ECU College of Business students. This year, more than $70,000 in scholarships will be awarded.
The College of Business at East Carolina University was founded in 1936 and has been accredited by the AACSB since 1967. Located in Greenville, the college continues to grow substantially and now has more than 660 undergraduate students, 600 graduate students, 110 faculty members, as well as 30 degrees, majors, and concentrations.