Pirate Nation Gives raises $10 million for student success efforts
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.
Student success was the priority of the ninth annual day of giving event. Participation by students and bold support for student programs led to $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.”
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 kickoff breakfast hosted by the ECU Health Foundation. Challenges were announced to sweeten 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 after at least 100 donors made a Pirate Nation Gives gift.
ECU donors could specify where and how they wanted their funds to be used, designating support to scholarships, research, innovative programs and more. 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.
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.
For more information about the many ways to give to ECU, visit ECU University Advancement.
###
East Carolina University News Services
Howard House, 1001 E. Fifth Street
Greenville, NC 27858
ecunews@ecu.edu
Phone: 252-328-6481
https://news.ecu.edu