Access Scholarship program yields transformative student success
Anyone seeking to understand East Carolina University’s strategic focus on student success and its intersection with philanthropy need only visit a scholarship event like the Access Scholarship luncheon held Sept. 13 at the Main Campus Student Center. This year’s event represented the largest gathering for the luncheon honoring student scholars and program donors.
ECU has 112 Access Scholars this academic year, including 38 new recipients. Access Scholars are a prime example of student success at ECU. They maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and complete at least 20 hours of community service annually.
ECU celebrated the Access Scholars program on Sept. 13. The program includes 112 scholars this academic year. (Photo by George Crocker)
Chancellor Philip Rogers reveled in the occasion to celebrate Access Scholars and the donors gathered to celebrate the 18th year of the scholarship program. Rogers described Access Scholars’ stories as a reminder of why he chose higher education as his life’s work and why donors choose to invest in the university.
“We do it because of the students. You make us so proud to be part of Pirate Nation,” Rogers said.
For Rogers, donor support for the Access program bolsters the university’s missional work of student success and demonstrates a commitment to create affordable pathways to learning. Through the scholarship program students are provided a $5,000 renewable annual scholarship to assist with tuition, fees and books.
“I am reminded (seeing) each of our donors that this program is simply not possible without all of you,” Rogers said. “This is important work, and it would not exist without the generous donors from all across the vast Pirate Nation and we are deeply grateful for your support of these scholarships and so much more at ECU.”
Rogers said that the investments made by Access Scholarship donors allow ECU to fulfill its commitment to student success and maximize student experience.
“If you ask yourself whether or not you make a difference, come back to this lunch next year. Have a seat with one of these scholars, learn about the life experience of these fine folks,” Rogers said. “I hope you’ll continue to let your generosity show so that we can unapologetically pursue our mission at ECU.”
Student experience
Since the program began in 2006, it has provided scholarships to 378 students and awarded $7.5 million to ECU students. Current Access Scholars and recent graduates amplified the message of student success and shared how the scholarship program influenced their educational opportunities at ECU.
Before Cam Callahan ’23 ’24 was awarded an Access Scholarship he questioned whether his dream of earning a college education was attainable.
“I am thrilled to say that this dream has come true, thanks to your generous support of this life-changing program,” Callahan said. “This scholarship provided me with the chance to fully immerse myself in my education at ECU. This opportunity allowed me to excel in college, graduate with minimal debt, and launch my career with confidence.”
Callahan works as an accountant at Victra in Raleigh and credits opportunities from the Access program and his ECU experience as invaluable keys to his success. Networking opportunities allowed Callahan to secure his first internship at an Access luncheon during his freshman year.
Chancellor Philip Rogers shared stories of ECU student success and celebrated donors at the Access Scholars luncheon. (Photo by Rhett Butler)
“I cherish Pirate Nation, and I will always carry with me the lessons I have learned and the skills I have developed,” Callahan said. “My ability to pursue my chosen career has been championed by the financial assistance I have received, and I would not be in the position I am today without the Access Scholarship Program.”
Rosemary Kopelwitz expects to graduate in December from the College of Nursing and says the support provided her the freedom to explore opportunities like study abroad programs and mentorships, which she believes would have been impossible without receiving the scholarship.
“Access Scholarships are transformative for students like me. They represent a powerful investment in our future. They open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach,” Kopelwitz said. “Your generosity doesn’t just fund our studies, it inspires and enables us to pursue our dreams with confidence and ambition.”
Kopelwitz said receiving an Access scholarship made her college experience more manageable and fulfilling and set her up for a successful future.
“When I learned that I was receiving an Access Scholarship, it was truly a moment of relief and gratitude,” Kopelwitz said. “It meant so much to me, because it helped financially, but also because it felt like a recognition of my hard work and dedication.”
A highlight of Kopelwitz’s ECU experience was a study abroad opportunity in Guatemala. The Access program made study abroad accessible, and she received help to find additional resources to make the trip affordable.
“I still reflect on working at hospitals treating malnourished children and helping to open a free health clinic for underserved communities,” she said. “It was profoundly rewarding to be involved in providing essential care and seeing the direct impact of our efforts.”
Building relationships
The luncheon offered donors an opportunity to engage with student scholars and learn more about their experiences at ECU and in the Access program.
Carl ’73 and Martha Davis enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with Alec Lozano, the first recipient of the Carl and Martha Davis Access Scholarship. Lozano is junior majoring in computer science.
Davis said the luncheon allowed them time to hear about Lozano’s ECU experience and his growing interest in robotics. “He seems to be doing really well and his work in robotics is very interesting,” Davis said.
For Davis, investing in an Access Scholarship was a logical choice to continue the couple’s long-time support of ECU. Their involvement began in athletics and broadened into academics, arts programs and community programs.
“I’ve tried to be supportive of ECU in any way I can,” he said. “You see the need, certainly, and we’ve been fortunate to be able to provide help along the way. The sense of pride is really in seeing the kids succeed (as a result) of the scholarship programs.”
Davis has served as chairman of the ECU Board of Visitors and the ECU Alumni Association Board of Directors and has been a member of the ECU Foundation and ECU Athletics Hall of Fame committee.
In 2023, Davis he wrote a book, “My View from 20 Rows Up: One Pirate Fan’s Story of ECU Football,” about his experience of following ECU football over 60 years. Proceeds from the book are given to the Access Scholarship.