Maynard family gift strengthens College of Education scholarship program
A new investment in East Carolina University’s College of Education (COE) came with a clear directive – go educate [more] future teachers.
The multi-million dollar commitment from the Maynard family enhances the James and Connie Maynard Scholars program and establishes the award as one of the leading scholarships for training educators in North Carolina. The new investment increases the scholarship award from a $26,000 four-year scholarship to $40,000.
One benefit that Maynard Scholars have access to is the chance to study abroad. Several scholars traveled to Europe with fellow education majors in the summers of 2024 and 2025. (Contributed photo)
“James and Connie Maynard are among our most generous and dedicated alumni,” Chancellor Philip Rogers said. “Their devotion to ECU has been demonstrated time and again as they and their daughter, Easter, provide support that allows our university to flourish. Their investment keeps our future firmly focused on student success and regional transformation.”
James ’65 and Connie ’62 Maynard first established the Maynard Scholars program in 2006. In the 20 years since, the Maynard family and Maynard Family Foundation have funded more than 200 scholarships for students chosen as Maynard Scholars. The 2025 cohort includes 15 students, all from North Carolina.
James is the co-founder of the Golden Corral Corporation and founder of Investors Management Corporation, Golden Corral’s parent company.
“Connie, Easter and I feel there is nothing more beneficial to young people than becoming well educated. This can only happen with well-prepared, dedicated teachers,” James Maynard said.
The COE is the top producer of educators in eastern North Carolina, serving traditional and non-traditional students. Continuing to serve as the leader in educator preparation and graduating the best teachers is a message Dean André Green shares and heard clearly from Easter Maynard, director of the Maynard Family Foundation.
“The Maynards are amazing, kind, and down-to-earth people who genuinely want to give back and help others succeed,” Green said. “Their mission, like mine, is to leave things better than they found them. They have always supported the college with scholarships, but this gift is on another level, truly investing in the future of eastern North Carolina.”
Since 2006, the Maynards have invested more than $4.5 million in the Maynard Scholars program. It is a portion of their support across the university and ECU Health. Green said James Maynard honors his wife, a former teacher, as well as other educators who were early investors in his company, through the gifts to the COE.
2025 Maynard Scholars
The East Carolina University College of Education has welcomed 15 incoming first-year students into the James and Connie Maynard Scholars program.
Beyond the financial support of up to $40,000 over four years, the scholarship offers additional benefits including leadership training, mentoring, college transition support and access to high-impact service projects and study-away enrichment opportunities.
Scholars also live together in a designated residence hall, fostering a strong sense of community through volunteering, team-building activities and mentorship with faculty, advisors and peers.
The new scholars are:
Kate Barnes, Johnston County
Emmy Brandenburg, Pitt County
Anastasia Danforth, Harnett County
Aubrie Dash, Pitt County
Camryn Dilday, Pitt County
Addison Dupre, Craven County
Rachel Fox, Beaufort County
Zacchaeus Jones, Lenoir County
Dylan Livingston-Keeter, Carteret County
Caroline Madigan, Pitt County
Barrett Morris, Northampton County
Michael Raye, Pitt County
Jae Reid, Wayne County
Aubrey Robison, Wake County
Lindsey Thomas, Hoke County
“This gift is significant because it will allow many students to realize their dream and graduate with minimal debt, and their way of paying it back is to become the best teachers possible. You can’t write a better story,” Green said. “I am happy they thought enough of this college to make such a significant, indefinite investment.”
The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees, and also enables study abroad and study away experiences. Recipients are expected to teach in a public, charter or government school in central or eastern North Carolina for four years following graduation.
“Our investment in the Maynard Scholars program is our family’s way of helping to attract highly talented students who are excited about teaching,” James Maynard said. “Our investment helps make it possible for a student to enter the teaching profession without worrying about having debt to repay. The future of our country depends on all children being well educated. That begins with great teachers.”
Life-changing journey
Dr. Dionna Manning, executive director of student engagement, student success, scholarship and development in the COE, leads the Maynard program and is a witness to the educational journey of each scholar.
“Watching these college students grow in confidence, leadership and professionalism throughout our program is truly amazing,” Manning said. “The Maynards’ unwavering and continued support of this program inspires me to pour into these students and create opportunities they may have never imagined possible.”
Manning said the scholars’ excitement, varied backgrounds and experiences, commitment to service and passion for learning is enriching the college community in powerful ways. Each year, they have an opportunity to meet Mr. Maynard and his daughter, Easter, to learn about the Maynards’ journeys and receive encouragement and a reminder to pay this gift forward by giving back.
“I am forever indebted to the James and Connie Maynard family for entrusting me with the opportunity to lead this program,” Manning said. “Leading this prestigious program and supporting these future changemakers is an honor beyond words.”
Annie Greene ’25 recalls the relief of learning she had received a Maynard scholarship. It was a “blessing” to her and her mother, a North Carolina teacher. Greene said the scholarship and her experience as part of the program changed her life.
“To be completely honest, there are no words to describe how much this scholarship meant to me. I was able to have the best four years of my life with this scholarship, all because of the generous donation of the Maynards,” Greene said. “They provided a rural North Carolina kid the opportunity of a lifetime, attending college and experiencing countless opportunities. It has been and will always be one of the biggest honors to call myself a Maynard Scholar.”
Greene said being part of the Maynard living learning community created a family for her at ECU. The students traveled together, volunteered on campus and in the community and provided her support and structure to develop as a student leader.
Study abroad opportunities made possible by the Maynard program expanded Greene’s understanding of education in other cultures. The Maynard cohort visited schools in Italy and Greece during a study abroad experience in Europe.
“Despite the language barriers, cultural and educational system differences, there were so many similarities,” she said. “This just showed me how important it is to remember that at the end of the day students are just kids who are trying to figure out life, just like we are. It also taught me to remember to ask questions and to get to know my students.”
Dean Green (unrelated to Annie) said the Maynard investment allows the college to offer more and larger scholarships in the program, making ECU more attractive and on par with other state institutions. The COE provides more than 30 undergraduate scholarships, ranging from $26,000 to $40,000 across four years.
“Our goal is to raise $2 million in scholarships to help aspiring teachers enter the profession with little to no student debt. By reducing this financial barrier, we hope to make teaching — a critically important career that has not always received the financial recognition it deserves — more accessible and appealing to those who desire to teach in eastern North Carolina,” Green said.
Green said the new investment provides the COE more tools in its effort to recruit and assist students. Other parts of the college will indirectly benefit from the Maynard gift, as well. Eventually, the college will add a staff member who will be integrated into the Maynard Scholars program and will also assist all students at the College of Education.
“Eventually, the college will add a staff member who will be integrated into the Maynard Scholars program, who will support these students and others who are a part of our community of scholars and living learning community,” he said.
“The mission is regional transformation and producing teachers, and this investment will make the process smoother, increasing student success and experience,” he said. “I hope this gift inspires others to continue supporting the college and our students, not only in teacher education but in all areas, such as counselor education, librarianship and leadership, where we train principals, superintendents and counselors.”
Following a passion for teaching
Freshman Maynard Scholar Zacchaeus Jones, from Kinston, has been surrounded by educators his whole life. His mother modeled the type of teacher he wants to become, an educator who teaches the curriculum and has a genuine desire to help others. Through the Maynard program, he is following his passion to become a middle school math or science teacher.
Receiving a Maynard Scholarship has provided him more freedom to be involved on campus — whether that’s working with students, joining clubs or participating in College of Education activities.
“Beyond the financial help, the Maynard Scholarship is an investment in my future as a middle grades mathematics teacher,” Jones said. “It empowers me to give back by returning to my hometown to teach, where qualified teachers are needed most. It also means I have a strong support system at ECU. Knowing I’m not doing this journey alone makes a huge difference.”
James Maynard, seated right, and his daughter, Easter Maynard, seated left, are surrounded by the James and Connie Maynard Scholars during a 2023 visit to the College of Education.