Chancellor’s Roadshow seeks out lawmakers
Round two of East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil Staton’s “Roadshow” took him to the Triangle to speak with legislators, members of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors and ECU alumni. On Sept. 14, more than 100 people came to Prestonwood Country Club in Cary to meet Staton.
The chancellor used his two-day stop in the Triangle to speak with lawmakers regarding funding to support increased enrollment at the Brody School of Medicine and construction of a modern building.
“We’re going in to ask for some big things, and it may take us a little while to get there, but I need you to be an ambassador for your institution,” Staton told the crowd.
The economic impact of all the Brody-educated physicians in North Carolina is $3 billion a year, the chancellor said.
“North Carolina needs more of what Brody does,” Staton said. “We train physicians who serve in underserved, needy areas of this state.
“This is an important trip and the chancellor will be over here often with a legislative agenda that’s really right now focused on the Brody School of Medicine,” said Chris Dyba, vice chancellor for University Advancement. “We have ambitious plans to increase enrollment in the Brody School of Medicine, expand residency opportunities with the hope of retaining more talent in state and ultimately start a discussion about a new building. To accomplish these ambitious goals, we need the state legislature to partner with our alumni to make this possible.”
Staton began his roadshow in August at the Murphy Center in Greenville and plans to visit nearly a dozen locations in North Carolina and along the east coast. During the visits, Staton plans to speak with alumni and friends of the university about his vision for ECU, including efforts to grow the university’s national profile, increase research funding, expand international studies and prepare for a comprehensive campaign.
The chancellor’s next roadshow event will be Oct. 5 in Norfolk, Virginia, and then Oct. 18 to Charlotte. For more information, contact ECU Advancement at 252-328-9550 or visit ecu.edu/give.
–Rich Klindworth
Click here to see all photos from the event.