Longtime ECU employees recognized with service awards
Employees who have worked at East Carolina University for 30 years or more were honored with service awards during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon at Harvey Hall.
The event bookended several spring recognition ceremonies including commencement, which brought 20,000 people to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on May 5.
“It has indeed been a season of celebration as another academic semester on our campus comes to a close,” Chancellor Philip Rogers said in welcoming honorees and their guests.
“I often say that all of you are our greatest asset, and we could not achieve such success and such outcomes without your many contributions. I’m honored to have the opportunity to recognize so many of you here today as dedicated public servants who have committed your professional lives to the success of our university and community.”
Frances Eason, left, receives the Richard Caswell Award from Chancellor Philip Rogers. (ECU photos by Cliff Hollis)
Gary Overton, center, is congratulated by Athletics Director Jon Gilbert, left, and Chancellor Philip Rogers.
Rogers presented the Richard Caswell Award to Frances Eason in the College of Nursing and Gary Overton in ECU Athletics. The award was established in 1998 to recognize state employees with noteworthy, extended dedicated service of 45 years or more.
At graduation, Eason led the procession carrying the mace across the football field, a tradition reserved for ECU’s longest serving faculty member. She has taught nursing students since Leo Jenkins’ title was changed from president to become ECU’s first chancellor.
Following the ceremony, Eason said she has enjoyed being part of the growth and changes in nursing, from its physical space to innovations like online courses and simulation labs. Her motto has been, “Expect the best and accept no less.”
She taught 115 nursing students this spring and, as in previous years, her goals for students are: to critically think and pass the class, to prepare for the licensure exam, and to be safe practitioners. “It’s my responsibility to give them my very best. And that’s why I’ve stayed on.”
Although her students say she’s a tough instructor, they thank her after they pass the exam. “In the end, when I get to the next world, I don’t want to be told you can’t come in because you didn’t give your very best, you didn’t give the university what they paid you for. And if I passed tonight, I know I’ve done my very best. And that’s a good feeling.”
The following employees, some of whom have recently retired, were recognized with plaques:
Academic Affairs
Presented by Provost Robin Coger
30 years
- Michelle Cobb – Anatomy and Cell Biology
- Joanne Tyson – Health Information Systems
- Reginald Watson – Department of English
35 years
- Alice Arnold – School of Art and Design
- LaForis Clark – Pediatrics
- Kaye Dotson – Library Science
- Stanley Oakley – Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
40 years
- Patricia Anderson – College of Education
- Paul Gemperline – Graduate School
- Wayne Godwin – School of Art and Design
- Rebecca Jordan – College of Nursing, Baccalaureate Education
- Karen Underwood – Maritime History
45 years
- Frances Eason – College of Nursing
Administration and Finance
Presented by Vice Chancellor Stephanie Coleman
30 Years
- Linda Forbes – Housekeeping Services
- Ricky Hill – Facilities Services
- Rhonda Jordan – Administration and Finance
- Sharon McNeil – IT Information Security
- Suzanne Rouse – University Printing and Graphics
- Johnnie Thompson – Central Receiving and Warehouse
35 Years
- Donna McDonald – IT Client Engagement and Support
- Timothy Wynne – Housekeeping Services
Athletics
Presented by Director of Athletics Jon Gilbert
45 Years
- Gary Overton – Operations and Equipment
Before presenting Overton’s award, Gilbert looked back 45 years ago to give context for the achievement. “The average house price was $54,200, the median household income was $13,572 and a gallon of gas was 62 cents,” Gilbert said.
Through the years, Overton served with distinction as an ECU student-athlete and as a coach and administrator. A 2004 ECU Hall of Fame inductee and analyst on ECU baseball radio broadcasts, “Coach O” served as the head baseball coach from 1985 to 1997. He retired in September as assistant athletics director/game operations-facilities at ECU. “I can’t think of anyone more representative of what it means to be a Pirate,” Gilbert said.
The service awards program recognizes the dedicated service that employees provide to the state of North Carolina and the UNC System throughout their careers. Awards are presented to eligible employees in five-year increments until retirement. Those with 25 years or less are recognized at the departmental level. ECU Human Resources Learning and Organizational Development unit organizes the event.