Noah Watkins

A love of East Carolina University started early for Noah Watkins.

The Asheboro native visited ECU in eighth grade and fell in love with the campus and overall atmosphere.

“Everyone was so welcoming, and you could tell it was a tight-knit community,” he said.

He will join that community this fall as one of 20 incoming EC Scholars, 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.

“The EC Scholars program made me feel welcomed and after listening to fellow EC Scholars, I could feel the power of the relationships and bond that is created through this program,” he said. “The guidance and support that I believe will help me to be successful can be found in the EC Scholars program.”

While at ECU, Watkins plans to enroll in the health fitness specialist degree program before continuing his education as an early assurance scholar in physical therapy in ECU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

“I have a passion for the mental health benefits and physical health benefits of physical therapy,” he said. “I am hoping to start my own sportsplex that I can run a physical therapy practice out of.”

Watkins, the son of Donnie and Abbey Watkins, also dreams of having youth sports at his future business to provide children with a safe place to be themselves.

“This will allow them to become great athletes but also learn how to become better human beings and take on the world,” he said.

Before heading to Pirate Nation, Watkins plans to give back to his community this summer through volunteering and working with his youth group. If possible, he also wants to mentor at Asheboro High School’s basketball camp and get a job.

Watkins plans to continue that level of involvement on campus by diving into intramural sports and service-oriented clubs. He would also like to find a church or community for worship on or near campus.

“I am looking forward to learning alongside my fellow EC Scholars and passing this on to the next wave of EC Scholars,” he said. “I am also very interested in learning a lot more about the world of physical therapy through clubs, professors and fellow students.”

For now, Watkins is keeping his options for the required study abroad experience open until he can talk to more EC Scholars about their experiences.

“During my interview, I did get to talk to someone who had gone on a study abroad trip to Australia. This trip sounded very interesting as she got to spend hands-on time at the Olympic training center there,” he said.

Watkins is excited and looking forward to his time at ECU.

“I cannot wait to see what this school and this program has in store for me, and what I can contribute to ECU and the community of Greenville.”

“I cannot wait to see what this school and this program has in store for me, and what I can contribute to ECU and the community of Greenville.”


High school: Asheboro High School

Intended major: Health Fitness Specialist

Hometown: Asheboro

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