ECU awards rare Jarvis medal at Evening of Philanthropy
In a room filled with some of East Carolina University’s most loyal and significant donors and major philanthropic groups, one was singled out at during an Evening of Philanthropy dinner on Thursday.
Chancellor Cecil Staton and ECU Board of Trustees Chairman Kieran Shanahan present the Jarvis medal to Max Ray Joyner Sr. at an Evening of Philanthropy celebration. (Photos by Will Preslar)
The Thomas Jordan Jarvis medal, presented to those who are integral to the history and life of ECU, was awarded to Max Ray Joyner Sr. Since its establishment in 2002, the medal has only been awarded to six people, including Robert Wright, Leo Jenkins and U.S. Sen. Robert Morgan.
“Max Ray is one of ECU’s most steadfast, enthusiastic volunteers and stands among its most generous donors. His dedication to ECU mirrors the university’s mission to serve the region,” said Kieran Shanahan, chairman of the ECU Board of Trustees.
Joyner is a founding member and former president of the ECU Foundation, and former president of the ECU Alumni Association. He and his wife funded the first endowed chair at the Brody School of Medicine, the Catherine and Max Joyner Distinguished Professorship in Primary Care Medicine, as well as a scholarship for nursing students. The Joyners also have given generously to the EC Scholars program for high-performing undergraduates.
In addition to awarding the Jarvis medal, ECU inducted new members into the Order of the Cupola. This group recognizes donors whose cumulative gifts to ECU have reached $100,000. Held biennially, more than 80 new members were added since 2017. Eight inductees in attendance at the ceremony Thursday were presented a replica of the Cupola handmade by ECU faculty member Seo Eo.
Chancellor Cecil Staton presents the Order of the Cupola award to Dr. James Madison Galloway and Bonnie Taylor Galloway. The philanthropy group welcomed more than 80 new members this year.
Order of the Cupola members have provided more than $215 million toward scholarships, funding for faculty excellence, facilities enhancements and support of programs to improve the quality of the education students receive at ECU, said Christopher Dyba, vice chancellor for university advancement.
Other philanthropic groups in attendance were the Leo Jenkins Society, Chancellor’s Society, Vansant Society and Doubloon Circle. ECU Board of Trustees members and board of directors members from ECU’s four foundations were also present.
Chancellor Cecil Staton, in one of his final speeches before stepping down on May 3, expressed his gratitude for donors as well as his time at ECU.
“You represent what ECU does for this state and this region. I’m so proud you are willing to give back. Thank you for loving ECU,” he said. “It’s been amazing to be a part of this place. I’m as excited about it as I was when Catherine and I first arrived on campus three years go. I’m excited to see it grow. We will forever be Pirates.”
To learn more about ECU’s philanthropic society’s visit ecu.edu/give.
The Order of the Cupola recognizes those donors whose cumulative gifts to ECU have reached $100,000. The awards presented on Thursday were handmade by ECU faculty member Seo Eo.
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-by Erin Shaw, University Communications