Five ECU students recognized as campus heroes

Praised for their quick thinking and self-less response, five East Carolina University students were recognized on Dec. 2 for their efforts in responding to two separate emergency situations on campus.

At the event held in the lobby of Fletcher Residence Hall, Chancellor Steve Ballard praised the students for stepping up to the challenges presented to them. “We are here to thank (these students) for intervening. These situations could have been a lot worse if they had not had the courage to step up. And that is the mark of personal courage,” Ballard said.

Pictured from left, Cameron Kirby, Anthony Michael Rose, Jacob Powell, Nickolas Benfield, Chancellor Steve Ballard and Chelsea Mungal.

“You are all examples of the ECU spirit. You are part of a truly unique community here at ECU.”

In February, two students responded when the driver of the ECU transit bus they were riding on lost control of the bus while attempting a turn onto Charles Boulevard from 10th Street.

Cameron Kirby of Cedar Grove and Chelsea Mungal of Winterville were recognized with the ECU Hero Award for their efforts to stop the bus and aid the driver. Chancellor Ballard was assisted in the presentation by Charles Royal, president of the ECU Parents Council, and Kemal Atkins, vice chancellor for student affairs.

Kirby of Cedar Grove is a senior majoring in family and community service in the College of Human Ecology. On campus, she has volunteered with ECU Friends. She is the daughter of Donald and Crystal Kirby of Cedar Grove.

Mungal of Winterville is a junior recreational therapy major at ECU. She is involved in Victory Campus Ministries and Recreation & Leisure Studies Undergraduate Society. A 2006 graduate of D.H. Conley High School, she is the daughter of Terry and Deb Mungal of Winterville.

Also recognized were Mike Rose of Newport, Jacob Powell of Raleigh and Nickolas Benfield of Taylorsville, who came to a fellow student’s aid in late August when a non-student attacked her in a Fletcher Residence Hall bathroom. They were able to subdue the attacker until the ECU police arrived on the scene.

Rose of Newport is a first-year ECU student majoring in business education. The 2008 graduate of West Carteret High School is the son of James and Cynthia Rose of Newport.

Powell of Raleigh is a first-year ECU student majoring in business education. He plans to teach high school after graduation. He is a 2008 graduate of Southeast Raleigh High School and the son of Paul and Robyn Powell of Raleigh. He is also involved with the ECU Hillel student organization.

Benfield of Taylorsville is a first-year ECU student majoring in business. He is a 2008 graduate of Alexander Central High School. He is the son of Andrew and Elizabeth Benfield of Taylorsville.

In addition to the ECU Hero Award, the three men also received the “Medal of Valor Citizen’s Award” from the ECU Police Department. The medal is the highest civilian award that a police department can bestow; this was the first time it has been awarded at the university, according to ECU Police Chief Scott Shelton.

The police chief praised the students’ quick action and appropriate measures “to save another student’s life. They changed the outcome of a crime,” he said.

Mayor Pat Dunn, who is a retired ECU faculty member, also praised the students’ quick responses. “You saw someone in need and came to their aid,” she said. “We care what happens to all of our citizens and you are part of our city. You saw yourselves as your brother’s keeper.”