Harriot College thanks donors, honors scholarship recipients at 10th annual celebration

East Carolina University’s Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences recognized students and thanked its generous donors at the college’s 10th annual scholarship celebration on Sept. 5 in the Main Campus Student Center ballrooms. This year’s event centered on the theme of student success in bloom.

Harriot College’s 10th annual scholarship celebration brought together donors and students, like sociology majors Letitica Bryant and Elizabeth Allen, who will benefit from a record-setting $450,000 in financial support. (Photos by Rob Taylor Photography and Design)

Nearly 170 arts and sciences students will benefit from 217 scholarships during the 2025-26 academic year. This amounts to more than $450,000 in financial assistance from donors, a record-setting total for the college. Additionally, the funds will result in a total savings of nearly $172,000 in accumulated student loan interest payments for all recipients, based on a standard 6.8% interest rate over a 10-year loan repayment period.

“Scholarships, fundraising and meaningful connections with alumni and supporters are the seeds of success that empower our students to flourish. With scholarships, students focus more on their classwork, research and passions, and less on their textbooks or tuition bills. They feel supported and valued, and as a result, are more likely to tackle the challenges of a competitive internship, study abroad, participate in field work or research complex topics,” said Amrina Rangar, a 2023 Harriot College and Honors College alumna, who joined the dean’s office in June as engagement and outreach specialist.

“These students become our biggest asset, representing Pirate Nation as they make a major difference in the world around them. By investing in our students, we invest in our future leaders, critical thinkers, problem solvers and culture creators, ultimately investing in a better world,” she said.

Dr. Victoria Hardy McGowen (’14, ’16, and ’22), alumnus and chair of the Harriot College Dean’s Advancement Council, welcomed guests to the celebration. She emphasized the importance of developing roots in eastern North Carolina and helping the next generation of student leaders grow through mentorship.

During the brunch, scholarship recipients mingled with donors, sharing stories about their courses, majors, career goals, research and study abroad experiences, as well as their gratitude for the financial support. Two undergraduates and one graduate scholarship recipient gave formal remarks.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to donors like you who make this opportunity possible,” said Kelsey Dudash, a recipient of the Professor Hal J. Daniel Biology Scholarship. “This award not only eases the financial challenges of continuing my education but also strengthens my motivation to pursue my academic and professional goals with focus and determination.”

Kelsey Dudash, an undergraduate biology major, emphasized her love of science and art at the scholarship celebration. (Photos by Rob Taylor Photography and Design)

“I have had the unique opportunity to merge my passion for science with my love of art,” said Dudash, who is a biology major with a concentration in ecology and molecular biology as well as a minor in the fine arts. “Art and science have become my way of seeing the world with patience, detail and appreciation for beauty. Diving will allow me to study marine organisms directly in their natural environments, while illustration will give me the ability to capture their beauty, behavior and ecological importance with detail and accuracy.”

Dudash’s long-term goal is to use this combination of field research and art to document marine life in a way that can educate, inspire and promote conservation.

Troy Quesinberry, a junior studying mathematics and music education, received the Ji and Li Family Foundation Scholarship. He thanked donors for making students feel like they belong.

“This scholarship means the world to me,” he said. “Scholarships represent the unwavering support and belief in student success. With that in mind, my journey has only just begun. With this support, I know that I will bloom into a mature mathematician and continue to achieve great things in both my majors.”

Dorian Record is a maritime studies graduate student who is passionate about diving, anthropology and archaeology. She is a recipient of the Bodo Nischan Memorial Graduate Scholarship in History. She said scholarships reduce financial stress and have allowed her numerous opportunities, including pursuing advanced scuba training and participating in internships. In addition, the funds have allowed her to travel abroad and domestically to perform research and share her findings at conferences and in her master’s thesis, which focuses on an Indigenous Mexican ceramic ware called Tonalá Bruñida, or Guadalajara Polychrome, which has a fascinating history as a colonial maritime export.

“I know that I am not alone in this room in saying that as a first-generation college student, I would be unable to navigate the complexities of attending classes, conducting research and writing up my thesis while also worrying about finances,” she said. “But perhaps more importantly, I would have been wholly unable to pursue many of the opportunities that have been afforded me. It has always been my dream to pursue an academic career in the sciences, and I am proud to be fulfilling part of that dream here at ECU.”

Dr. Allison Danell, dean of Harriot College, said she treasures the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of student scholars each year. (Photos by Rob Taylor Photography and Design)

Ashley Harzog, Harriot College director of alumni relations and outreach, reiterated that scholarships are extremely valuable to students, and in ways beyond the financial benefit. She compared donors and mentors as gardeners, cultivating Pirate Nation into the beautiful place that students call home. She said donor assistance allows students to weather the storms that blow their way, to take root, to succeed and bloom. 

“Scholarships are protective for when the wind blows,” Harzog said. “Every investment we make in growing our students — so that they have deep roots, so that we are there to support them — means they are more likely to survive the storms that come.” 

Dr. Allison S. Danell, dean of Harriot College and ‘master gardener,’ wrapped up the event. She thanked the donors and students in attendance, saying she treasures the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of all the student scholars and thank the donors for their contributions and investments that make the day possible.

“Your continued investment is really transformational,” she said. “Thank you to every gardener in the room who has tended to the professional and personal development of our students, from undergraduate study all the way through doctoral programs.”

Anyone interested in exploring ways to assist Harriot College students, whether via scholarship support or other avenues, may contact Harzog at clelanda18@ecu.edu or by calling 252-737-1753. To access and download photos from the event, visit the photo gallery from Rob Taylor Photography and Design.