Matthew Sadlowski
A poignant volunteer experience cemented Matthew Sadlowski’s future career path. Last summer, Sadlowski, 18, volunteered as part of the Duke-Raleigh Junior Volunteer Cancer Center Program and decided to become a nurse.
“I have always enjoyed working with others and studying biology, and after spending my time volunteering at a cancer center I’m sure that nursing is the field for me,” he said. “I hope to become either a nurse anesthetist or a pediatric nurse.”
Sadlowski, the son of Wayne and Maureen Sadlowski of Wake Forest, is part of the newest class of East Carolina University’s EC Scholars program. EC Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive an Honors College scholarship and a stipend for study abroad for a total value of nearly $64,000.
While Sadlowski is confident in his choice of major and career choice, he is also looking forward to exploring the unknown opportunities of college, from extracurricular activities to study abroad experiences.
“ECU has so many opportunities that I am so excited to take advantage of,” he said. “There are so many clubs that look interesting, and I’m excited to join some intramural sports teams.”
The study abroad feature of the EC Scholars program was attractive to Sadlowski, who is mulling those options as well.
“I’m interested in studying abroad in Finland or maybe Guatemala through the College of Nursing, and I think that the travel abroad programs for Italy or Spain sound great too,” he said. “I am definitely looking forward to that wonderful experience.”
During high school, Sadlowski served as a volunteer tutor, assistant soccer coach and inaugural member of the Heritage High School Math and Science Education Network. He was active in Brown Bag Ministry, Peer Mentors Club, Chick-fil-A Leaders Academy, as well as cross country, soccer and swim team.
As he considers his future plans at ECU, he will spend this summer enjoying time with friends, working in his community and potentially taking a community college course. He will also reflect on his path to the EC Scholars program and what it means to him—one of a group of university representatives who are “committed to their studies and dedicated to giving back to their community.
“I chose ECU for many different reasons, but the main reason was because of my experience at Selection Sunday,” Sadlowski said. “I came to realize how caring and dedicated ECU was to the success and happiness of each student. ECU made me feel like more than just another student ID number. That is why I chose to be a Pirate.”
“An EC Scholar is someone who is committed to their studies and dedicated to giving back to their community.”
High school: Heritage High School
Intended major: Nursing
Hometown: Wake Forest