CHANCELLOR MITCHELSON MESSAGE TO ECU STUDENTS

Hello ECU Students,

Every morning I get up, walk my two chocolate labs, and think about your success. For many of you, this pandemic has created the need for very difficult adjustments. Many of you would prefer to be back on our beautiful campus with your friends and your supporters, professors and advisors and student organizations. Some of you even miss your classrooms. For many Pirates, this is a real grind. It’s like being out there on the ocean with no wind in our Pirate sails. I especially feel badly for our Class of 2020. Yes, we will have a virtual commencement on May 8, which you will be hearing more about in the near future. And yes Class of 2020, we are planning some special in-person celebrations for you, pandemic permitting, in the fall. We won’t let this virus steal your thunder!

I’ve been at ECU for decades and I have known thousands of students. This is what I have come to know, Pirates are resilient and gritty. Grind this out and let’s get back to normal. Quitting is not an option for Pirates. We are here for you, and if you need something, please let us know. Don’t be bashful about connecting with the student success resources (like the Pirate Academic Success Center or University Writing Center) or communicating with a professor, or an advisor, or the Dean of Students, or me (mitchelsonr@ecu.edu). #PirateStrong!!!!

As ever, RonM

Ron Mitchelson
Interim Chancellor