Student: Andrew Griffin

Published May 06, 2019 by

Bri Deel

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One challenge is just not enough for East Carolina University senior Andrew Griffin.

Andrew Griffin looks over a topology map of routers in a computer lab in ECU’s Science and Technology Building.

Griffin, who graduated May 3, earned a degree in information and computer technology with a concentration in computer networking and a minor in business administration. He also holds certification as a Cisco Certified Professional and Cisco Certified Network Associate.

Over the course of four years, Griffin has learned how computers get information from point A to point B and back to the user, which he says has been a rigorous learning experience as it is mainly self-taught.

“It’s just crazy to me how when you break it down all the way, everything runs in a bunch of ones and zeros,” said Griffin.

Though as tedious and time-consuming as his program has been, Griffin has still managed to not only be involved in other organizations and clubs, but to excel in them.

He has served as the community service and philanthropy chair for Sigma Nu fraternity, where last year he helped raise more than $1,200 to donate toward various organizations while also collecting 522 community service hours through events that he planned.

He also has been active in the student chapter of the Information Systems Security Association and the Raleigh ISSA chapter. Griffin is a member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success. Off campus he works two jobs – part time for Cisco and as a manager for Outback Steakhouse.

Andrew Griffin rides his skateboard after leaving class at the Science and Technology Building.

Through his hard work and determination, Griffin has won several awards and scholarships. He received the Elmer C. Poe Technical Support of Excellence Award for representing ECU through his technical skills against 42 other universities around the globe, the first ECU student to ever receive that award. He won the philanthropy of the year award for Sigma Nu after he created the first “Sets-and-Nets” volleyball tournament that raised more than $800 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. His junior year he won the Pantana Bobs Scholarship, and this past year, he won the Barry Duvall Timothy Gomez Teachers Choice Scholarship.

Griffin recently left for Bogota, Columbia, representing ECU for the first time in the Hult Prize Challenge through the Miller School of Entrepreneurship. If his group makes it to the next round, they will travel to the U.K. for eight weeks for a shot at the finals.

“Getting to the point of graduation with everything that I was faced with and getting a really good GPA has been my biggest accomplishment,” Griffin said.

Griffin has accepted a full-time position with Cisco to become a network support engineer starting in July.

What advice do you have for other students?: When you face defeat, conquer it. When you lose, learn from it. When you win, learn from it. Don’t ever give up. The moment you give up is the moment when you have thrown everything away that you have done before that moment. Tomorrow is a new day.

What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year?: Joyner Library is 24/7. Your professors are here to help you. Take advantage of tutoring and your peers. You will make it to graduation, don’t ever say you won’t.

This Pirate never backs down from a challenge.

STATISTICS

College: College of Engineering and Technology

Major: Information and computer technology with a concentration in computer networking

Age: 23

Classification/Year: Senior

Hometown: Kill Devil Hills

Hobbies/interests: Programming, hanging out with friends, taking my dog to the dog park, and working

Clubs and Organizations: Sigma Nu, ISSA, ECU student chapter of ISSA, Future Alumni Network, National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, and ECU I-Corps

Student: Andrew Griffin

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