Philanthropy provides memorable student experiences
East Carolina University international student Roshan Saud says the memory of seeing the ocean for the first time will live in his heart forever. It’s an experience made possible by philanthropy and Pirate Nation Gives (PNG).
“This trip provided me an opportunity to witness the vast ocean for the first time in my life, which was a surreal experience and created a lasting impression on me,” Saud said. “The trip was one of the great experiences for me as whole. I met a lot of interesting individuals; some of them were the international students, and I also had a chance to meet people from the Outer Banks.”
During PNG 2023, the Office of Global Affairs staff jumped at an opportunity to participate in a PeeDee’s mateys challenge and earned $5,000 in bonus money for their programs. The PNG bonus money and donor support have allowed global affairs to fund experiences and excursions for international students like Saud to see North Carolina and the United States beyond the borders of campus.
In August, Saud and a group of international students boarded an ECU Transit bus and traveled to the Outer Banks. Saud is from Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal – a south Asian country known for its majestic mountains. He says he had always imagined what the ocean might be like, and when the waves of the Atlantic rolled over his feet it was more phenomenal than he could have dreamed.
Saud is working on a master’s degree in geography in the Department of Geography Environment and Planning. In addition to exploring food, culture and the Outer Banks communities, Saud said he was able to see the coast through the lens of a geographer.
“I saw the evidence of climate change, sea level rise and its social, ecological impacts which I had read about before but never had a chance to witness on my own,” Saud said. “This made me more firm about my career goals.”
PNG donations support student experiences in programs across ECU’s colleges and schools. Through donor-funded experiences, students are able to turn the opportunities into moments of learning, connections and other successes.
Networking in the nation’s capital
Daniel Walker describes the Brinkley-Lane Scholars’ second-year trip to Washington as one of the most meaningful experiences so far at ECU. Walker took advantage of the opportunities for service, connection and education during the trip and was inspired to apply for an internship and consider an additional degree.
Roshan Saud displays the flag of Nepal at the Office of Global Affairs at ECU. (Photo by Rhett Butler)
Walker and his cohort volunteered at the D.C. Central Soup Kitchen, where they were tasked with making over 1,500 meals for underserved populations.
“Service was one of the highlights of the D.C. trip,” Walker said. “The spirit of supporting and fostering community is ingrained in the Brinkley-Lane Scholars program. The staff at the kitchen was composed of individuals who were once affected by food insecurity and their positive spirit was infectious.”
During the trip, Walker met AJ Malicdem ’03, senior advisor for Congressman Don Davis. They talked about Walker’s interest in rural health and the congressman’s involvement as the vice ranking member on the agriculture committee. Walker decided to pursue an internship with Davis’ office and now serves as an intern in the first congressional district of North Carolina.
Brinkley-Lane Scholar Kendall Pixley said the trip to Washington was a boost of confidence she wouldn’t have gained otherwise.
“This was the first time I ever took the metro or walked around such an expansive city,” she said. “I pushed myself to explore despite my nervousness about navigating unfamiliar transportation and territory. I left D.C. feeling so much confidence in myself and in my scholars’ community.”
Pixley said the trip solidified her interest in studying public health. After volunteering at the D.C. Central Soup Kitchen, Pixley said she knew she wanted to be a part of a community that creates solutions to society’s greatest issues.
“I also had the opportunity to network with ECU alumni and tour the Pentagon and J.P. Morgan,” she said. “Networking is such a huge part of being successful in the workforce, and the Brinkley-Lane Scholars program never fails to provide opportunities.”
Connections and opportunities
Two opportunities to travel to New York City were life-changing for Jenna Scott ’23. She turned the experiences and connections she made during those trips into a job offer.
Scott traveled to New York with students in the fashion merchandising program on a trip funded by PNG bonus money and again with the College of Business (COB) through an experience supported by ECU alumnus Sanford Bailey.
Scott seized the opportunity to make connections in New York when she was among students representing the Arthur School’s immersive MBA pathway and the COB’s undergraduate student leadership board. The night before the second trip she edited her resume specifically for the business the students were visiting.
Being prepared and networking on the donor-funded experiences allowed Scott to reconnect with a company she made contact with on her first trip. After her MBA, Scott is headed to Seattle to work for Nordstrom.
Philanthropic support through PNG (ECU’s annual day of giving) can make more life-changing ECU experiences and learning opportunities possible for students. PNG is set for March 20. Alumni and friends can participate in the 24-hour online fundraising event by making a gift to any area of campus.