Luncheon celebrates Access Scholarship students, donors

Nearly 80 Access Scholarship students got to meet the donors who make their awards possible at an annual luncheon on Oct. 4.
The Access Scholars program provides grants to East Carolina University students who demonstrate academic potential and financial need. The $5,000 annual award ($2,500 per semester) covers tuition, fees and books. The program also organizes a lecture series, etiquette dinner, social events and community service activities for students.
“These are great students who work hard and deserve our support, for they are genuinely serving our university community in amazing ways,” said Christopher Dyba, vice chancellor for university advancement.

Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Christopher Dyba, left, speaks to a panel of students about their Access Scholarships. (Photo by George Crocker)

• Sophomore environmental health major Trysten Culler, a recipient of the Vince and Linda McMahon Access Scholarship, is a member of the Marching Pirates, Pirate Navigators, Jarvis Leadership Living Learning Community and Student’s Treasure Chest. Culler works at the front desk at Jarvis (“when the dorm washer breaks down, I’m the one they call”) and also volunteers at the Greenville Community Garden.
• Senior English education and English major Matthew Jennette, a recipient of the Board of Visitors Access Scholarship, is in the Honors College and volunteers with Pirate After School Scholars, a student organization that offers free tutoring services to local middle school students.

“The Access Scholarship is basically what brought me to ECU. It would have cost me more to go to a community college for a year and then transfer, which is what I was planning to do,” Jennette said. “It just means a lot.”

• Senior public health major Susannah Spratt, an ECU Foundation Access Scholar, is a published research assistant. In addition to her studies, Spratt juggles a job at Parker’s Barbecue, where she can be found studying on her breaks.

“It’s definitely hard sometimes. But if you want success, you have to work for it,” she said.

• Freshman nursing major Nawja Dixon, a Vince and Linda McMahon Access Scholar, balances schoolwork, a job at Starbucks, and parenting a 2-year-old. She’s also active in Young Life, where she helps mentor other young moms.

“I’m always running around. I’d be lost without my planner. Time management is key,” she said. “The support we get from the Access Scholarship is great. This is what I needed. This is what is going to help make my dreams come true.”

• Junior biology major Jarod Ruffing, the recipient of the West Memorial Access Scholarship, is an aspiring dentist and president of the Pre-Dental Honor Society at ECU. He’s also a tutor at the Pirate Success Center. Before he was awarded a scholarship, Ruffing worked 30 hours a week at Lowe’s while taking 15 hours of coursework.

“When I got the call about the Access Scholarship, I teared up,” he said. “It means you don’t have to work as much because someone was generous. You can focus more on studying. I just wanted to say thank you.”

More than 9,000 undergraduate students at ECU have demonstrated financial need — the highest number of students in the University of North Carolina system. With additional resources, the Access Scholarship program aspires to help an even greater number of students and to continue to nurture their academic prowess and future success.
To learn more about the Access Scholarship or to support the program, visit ecu.edu/give.
 
-by Erin Shaw, University Communications
 
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It’s in the name: Access Scholarships make ECU accessible
Living the Residential Scholar life