Donor support burns brightly during Pirate Nation Gives
More than 2,300 alumni, friends and students took the cake to support East Carolina University during Pirate Nation Gives on March 5. Gifts came from far away and right in the heart of Pirate Nation, including a leadership gift from Chancellor Philip and Dr. Rebekah Rogers.
Honors College staff member, Addison Sortini, left, presents Gabriela Hernandez, right, her philanthropy honor cord she earned by donating during Pirate Nation Gives. (ECU Photo by Steven Mantilla)
Student success was the priority of the ninth annual day of giving event. Participation by students and bold support for student programs led to more than $10 million in contributions for scholarships, health care initiatives, athletics, and faculty and program support. More than 600 donors answered the call to support ECU for the first time.
Support for scholarships was a top tier focus by donors across all areas of campus. More than 60 donors invested in the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative, creating new scholarships that will aid in enrolling prospective Pirates from North Carolina. Enthusiasm for this new initiative was led by the Rogers family.
Chancellor Rogers regularly describes the university’s focus on scholarships as an initiative that makes ECU a leader in future-focused, innovation-driven strategies that support students. He and Rebekah Rogers ’07 ’10 believe strongly in supporting student success through scholarships that they have established the Drs. Philip and Rebekah Rogers Chancellor’s Scholar Endowment to provide two Chancellor’s Scholarships at ECU.
“We deeply believe in the transformative power of the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative and the difference scholarships make in the lives of the students that we serve,” Chancellor Rogers said. “Scholarship programs like this one are essential to our mission and demonstrate our commitment to providing an affordable and accessible education to ECU students.”
Rebekah Rogers is a two-time Pirate graduate whose first job was working for the ECU admissions office. She traveled from North Carolina to Connecticut for a year, visiting high schools and college fairs and recruiting students to attend ECU. Today, she is an instructor and leadership researcher at ECU, a place that has always felt like home to her.
“We love and believe in ECU and our roles in service to the university,” Rebekah Rogers said. “Teaching at ECU and having the opportunity to get to know so many wonderful students rekindles the sense of purpose we both have had since returning to ECU.”
Taking the Cake
Staff and faculty on the health sciences campus added layers of energy and fun to the day beginning with a first-time Pirate Nation Gives kick-off breakfast hosted by the ECU Health Foundation. Challenges were announced to sweetened the idea of supporting funds for allied health sciences, dental, medical and nursing.
Dean Bim Akintade engaged support for the College of Nursing by accepting a cake to the face if at least 100 donors made a Pirate Nation Gives gift. Anticipation grew as donors aimed for the goal. With a few hours remaining in the challenge, the college surpassed 100 donor gifts and two nursing students maneuvered for the toss. With gold icing across his face, Akintade flashed a celebratory Pirate hook.
The cake celebration marked the successful effort to raise 65 and then 100 donors on the day for the College of Nursing. The first 65 donors celebrated 65 years of nursing at ECU and unlocked a $77,000 challenge gift from Jim Harris, given in memory of his wife, Selba Harris ’64, and from Joanne ’76 and Jack Faer.
Champions answered the call in other parts of the university by establishing numerous challenges for donors, which, when fulfilled, unlocked additional gifts supporting scholarships and programs across all disciplines. Across the board, Pirate Nation showed its support for scholarships, student experiences, health care and initiatives throughout ECU.
Notable gifts this year include:
- Burney ’67 and Judy ’65 Rivenbark, who gave $50,000 toward College of Business scholarships.
- David E. McCracken, who gave $15,000 to support the ECU Smiles for Veterans Patient Care Fund in the School of Dental Medicine.
- Harvey S. Wooten, Mitchell Hunt, Carlos Ochoa and Victoria McGowen, who gave $10,000 to support the Harriot College Military and Veterans Scholarship.
- A challenge gift from Anonymous Trust, which will provide $300,000 for the Healthier Lives for Children and Beyond program at the Brody School of Medicine when the program raises $300,000.
- Honors College parent Lea Ann Nichols, who gave $5,000 to the Honors College Priority Fund for study abroad and high-impact experiences.
- Lt. Col. Bill ’82 and Nancy Miller, whose $25,000 gift to the Military and Veteran Mental Health Priority Fund is dedicated to supporting fostering a campus environment that prioritizes mental health, wellness and safety.
- A Friends of Joyner Library challenge gift from an anonymous donor, which will provide $10,000 to the Joyner Library Dean Fund for Excellence.
Campus Spirit
Students, faculty and staff engaged in a variety of on-campus initiatives aimed at building participation. University Advancement intern Will Lukas and his pal, PeeDee squishy, let the windy and rainy weather carry them all across campus to be found during Pirate Nation Gives. Students invested great energy following clues to discover PeeDee squishies.
Lauren Garcia accepts a PeeDee squishy she won from University Advancement intern Will Lukas during Pirate Nation Gives. (ECU Photo by Patricia Earnhardt Tyndall)
Through the Honors College, College of Education, Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, College of Health and Human Performance and the ECU Alumni Association, students donated for philanthropy honor cords and boosted student involvement. Students accounted for 28% of the day’s donors. Hundreds visited tables at campus student centers to share social media posts, snap up philanthropy cords, thank donors and support the cause.
Throughout Wednesday, leaderboards on the Pirate Nation Gives (PNG) website tracked support for areas of campus and encouraged giving with a competitive spirit. Numerous social media challenges gave participants the opportunity to win bonus money for their favorite ECU area or fund.
Serious competition began with student watch parties at midnight as they vied to make the event’s first website gift. More than 95 gifts came in the first minute. Grant Robinson was first, winning $3,000 in bonus money for Club Sports Men’s Soccer. Sawyer Hanna was milliseconds behind for second place and $1,000 for Club Sports Tennis.
Students competed throughout the day, earning the Honors College Priority Fund an additional $2,000 and the College of Health and Human Performance Student Opportunity & Education Fund an extra $1,000 for the most student participation.
It was a banner day for scholarship support. Honors College Supplemental Scholarship led the way in this challenge and received an additional $2,000 in bonus money while the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative received an additional $1,000 in bonus money.
The day’s farthest away gift came from Australia, thanks to a gift from Caleb Langan in Orelia, earning Club Sports – Men’s Soccer $2,000. In a close second Club Sports – Men’s Volleyball gained $1,000 thanks to a gift from Alannah Box from Manor Lakes, Australia.
Student Affairs won $2,000 in bonus money for the most gifts with more than 500 donations. The Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences came in second place with more than 319 donations, earning an extra $1,000.
Night owls won in the final gift competition of the day. The Sustainability Program captured first place and $3,000 thanks to a watchful eye on the clock from student Tori Bain. The College of Health and Human Performance Priority Fund was the runner-up with a gift from alumna Amy Barnes and will receive $1,000.
For more information about the many ways to give to ECU, visit ECU University Advancement.