College of Nursing holds second Unity Day

Left to right, senior nursing students Lindsay Tomlin, Juliann Tompkins, Candace Concord and Casey Bulow sign a banner during the second annual College of Nursing Unity Day. Pirate nursing buttons were a popular item during the event, which was held to create unity between students, faculty and staff and facilitate a positive and encouraging climate within the college. Photo by Cliff Hollis.

GREENVILLE, N.C.   —   East Carolina University’s College of Nursing students, faculty and staff got to know each other a little better on Nov. 19 during the second annual Unity Day. 

Organized by leadership students in Dr. Kathleen Simpson’s class, one of the event icebreakers asked participants to get signatures on an ECU Bingo card with 16 squares ranging from “find a first semester nursing student” to “find someone wearing turquoise jewelry.”

Scavenging for signatures, as well as enjoying cake and a slide show from the early days of the college, brought everyone together.

“This is a really special day,” said Dean Sylvia Brown, who was surprised with a flower bouquet in honor of her permanent appointment as dean on Oct. 1. “We are a big college with a down-home feel. Events such as this help us continue that tradition.”

In kicking off the event, Brown said it’s evident that faculty, staff and students care for each other and make a dynamic team.

“No matter what age we are, mentors are important to us,” she said.
She challenged everyone to be a leader, an encourager rather than discourager and to take care of each other.

Guest speaker Gale Adcock, a 1978 alumna, adjunct faculty member and director of corporate health services for SAS in Cary, spoke about how students shape the college and the qualities that nursing students share: humility, confidence, energy, resilience, empathy and compassion, authenticity, honesty, courage, trust and joy.

“You’re the magic,” Adcock said. “You get to decide what happens next. That’s the shared experience I wish for you.”

As part of the day’s activities, students signed a banner including what Pirate nursing means to them, from changing lives to learning to become a great nurse.

Senior Candace Concord of Fayetteville said she enjoyed the event. “It’s a good opportunity for everyone to come together,” she said.