ECU Women’s Roundtable honors 11 ‘incredible’ alumnae at annual luncheon
The East Carolina University Women’s Roundtable celebrated 11 alumnae at its sixth Incredible ECU Women Luncheon on Thursday. The event recognizes the service and leadership of women who epitomize the spirit and goals of the Women’s Roundtable, an organization that strives to build a legacy of women leadership at ECU and supports student scholarships. More than 375 guests attended the signature event at the Main Campus Student Center.
More than 375 guests attended the ECU Women’s Roundtable luncheon at the Main Campus Student Center on Thursday. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)
This year’s honorees are:
The ECU Women’s Roundtable celebrated female leadership, service and empowerment at its sixth Incredible ECU Women Luncheon.
Kay Craven ’09, Greenville
Claudia Daly ’83, ’01, Greenville
Margaret Dowd Daniel ’70, Lynchburg, Virginia
Nia Franklin ’15, Winston-Salem
Virginia Carlton Gaynor ’81, ’85, ’89, Winterville
Virginia Hardy ’93, Greenville
Vivian Kirkpatrick James ’75, Whitsett
Karla Jones ’00, ’02, Charlotte
Sharon Justice ’87, ’90, Greenville
Leigh Patterson ’13, Greenville
Maria A. Pharr ’00, ’14, Indian Trail
The event featured keynote speaker and alumna Marnie Oursler ’01, CEO of Marnie Custom Homes and host of DIY Network’s “Big Beach Builds.” On her TV show, Oursler transforms dated homes along the Delaware coast into luxury beach retreats.
During her speech, Oursler spoke of finding success in the male-dominated field of home construction and the role women in her life have played in elevating her career. She described ECU as “the best decision I ever made” and a place where she found an instant network of support from her softball team – she played shortstop – and her sorority, Chi Omega.
Alumna Marnie Oursler ’01 was the keynote speaker at the Women’s Roundtable Incredible ECU Women Luncheon.
“I met my best friends, a sisterhood of women who have been by my side for the past 20 years,” Oursler said. “I encourage all of you to write your own story, go after your dreams, and help each other.”
Two students impacted by Women’s Roundtable scholarships also spoke at the luncheon. Susannah Spratt, a senior public health major and Virginia Spencer Access Scholarship recipient, said ECU was always her top choice for college, but the cost of attendance was a tremendous burden for her family.
“I feared I would end up going into potentially crippling debt because of school. Once I got the news that I was receiving the Access Scholarship, I felt my prayers had been answered,” she said.
Jocelyn Bayles, a senior in the Honors College studying Nutrition & Dietetics and Hispanic Studies, said her ability to succeed at ECU was only possible because of donor support.
“To me, support from donors is so much more than a check – it’s the ability to open doors to new opportunities that show students like me passions and careers they never even considered,” she said.
Net proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Women’s Roundtable Access and Honors College Scholarship Endowment funds. Visit womensroundtable.ecu.edu for more information.
Related story: ECU alumna Marnie Oursler is building big
-by Erin Shaw, University Communications