Jenna Caputa
The big picture doesn’t overwhelm Jenna Caputa. The incoming East Carolina University Brinkley-Lane Scholar finds pleasure in simple things — the catchy beat of a song, a well-crafted phrase in a good book, tasty homecooked food.
“I am looking forward to the small moments at ECU just as much as I am looking forward to the large moments,” Caputa said. “I want to be able to experience all of ECU’s sides. I want to explore Greenville and find lesser-known spots that I can call my own. I want to be able to wake up in the morning, enjoy the sunrise, and see how ECU becomes more awake as the minutes pass by. I want to be able to say that I have experienced ECU when it was just me and the campus. Moments like these are the ones I am looking forward to because I know that I will enjoy those quiet times just as much as the loud ones.”
Brinkley-Lane 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 a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board for both in-state and out-of-state students and unique high impact experiences, as well as the ability to explore the world with a $5,000 study abroad stipend. Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty and a robust alumni network.
“I will make the most of this opportunity graciously given to me by ECU,” said Caputa, the daughter of Amy and Michael Caputa of Archdale. “I’m filled with so many ideas and hopes that I can’t wait to start my journey as a Brinkley-Lane Scholar. I look forward to learning from everyone and finding the ways I can contribute to the college, community and program.”
Caputa plans to major in engineering, with a concentration in biomedical engineering.
“Right now, I would like to study and research ways to improve prosthetics and make them more available to people of all incomes and backgrounds,” she said. “… I hope that I will be able to ensure that individuals who require or want a prosthetic will find one that matches them and their lifestyle.”
She said she knew ECU was right the moment she stepped on the campus.
“I wanted a good education, but I also wanted a support system that I could rely on for the next four years,” she said. “I knew that it was unrealistic to expect bonds to be made on the first visit, but ECU made that into a reality.”
Caputa said she’s looking forward to getting the chance to study abroad. She’s eyeing Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Italy or Scotland.
“There are so many talented and intelligent people all over the world, and I want to be able to learn from these people,” she said.
After graduating from Randolph Early College High School, Caputa said she’ll spend the summer getting organized and ready to live on her own at ECU.
“I can’t wait to meet new people, learn new things and experience all the failures and success that ECU will have in store for me,” she said. “I want all the good and bad — hopefully there is more good than bad — because that is what life is all about, making even the bad seem sweet just from looking at things in a different view. I know that I have been given such a rare opportunity, and I aim to make the most of it as a way to pay it forward to ECU and to all the people who have helped me get to where I am now.”
“I’m filled with so many ideas and hopes that I can’t wait to start my journey as a Brinkley-Lane Scholar.”
High school: Randolph Early College High School
Intended major: Engineering
Hometown: Archdale