Scholarship initiative encourages students to choose ECU

“We would like to offer you a scholarship” was music to Dylan Livingston-Keeter’s ears when he was accepted to East Carolina University. The message that he had earned a Chancellor’s Scholarship carried influence when Livingston-Keeter, from Morehead City, chose to attend.

“I was accepted into every school I applied to, and it really came down to where I could go and have the least amount of financial burden,” Livingston-Keeter said. “ Thanks to programs like the Chancellor’s Scholars [Initiative], I am able to focus on becoming the best music teacher I can without worrying about my finances as much.”

East Carolina University freshman Dylan Livingston-Keeter is a Chancellor’s Scholar and a member of the Marching Pirates.

The Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative launched in 2024 to create scholarships to strengthen recruitment and retention. The 75 new scholarships offered this fall are part of more than 4,000 scholarships the university has for undergraduate programs, which campus leaders say are critical to the university’s efforts to prepare for a nationally competitive enrollment landscape.

The program entices in-state students to choose ECU. Qualified students are eligible to receive $10,000 in tuition and fees over four years. Chancellor’s Scholars have an exceptional learning experience, opportunities to engage in leadership skill building, and access to a residential community alongside their fellow scholars. Similarly, newly created Voyagers scholarships aim to recruit 20 out-of-state students to campus.

Preston Watkins, of Fuquay-Varina, also chose ECU because of the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative. He plans to major in management in the College of Business and said the opportunities and learning experiences on campus have already challenged him and helped him grow.

“Receiving the chancellor’s scholarship played a very important role in me choosing to attend ECU over other schools,” Watkins said. “I got accepted into other schools I wanted to go to, but I felt like this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Undergraduate scholarship programs are integral to fulfilling ECU’s mission priority of student success. Livingston-Keeter and Watkins are among 75 students who entered ECU as the inaugural cohort of Chancellor’s Scholars. University leadership aims to enroll 300 highly driven students over the next four years as part of the initiative.

Dr. Allen Guidry, associate provost for learner operations, said the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative removes a barrier for students who won’t have to wonder how they can pay for college. “They can focus on continuing their journey of academic excellence. We will have alumni that will do some amazing things, elevating themselves and enhancing the reputation of Pirate Nation, as a result of this initiative,” Guidry said.

The initiative is also designed to meet UNC System performance metrics, which directly impact state funding and help ensure the university’s long-term sustainability and growth.

Earning a Chancellor’s Scholarship influenced Preston Waktins’ decision to attend ECU.

“One of the key factors that prospective students are looking at is cost of attendance. This initiative allows us to make ourselves much more competitive in that space,” Guidry said. “We know we provide an exceptional learning experience for learners of a wide range of academic backgrounds and have done so for over 100 years. This scholarship initiative will introduce that extraordinary academic environment to many more new Pirate scholars.”

Growing the initiative also relies on a strategic fundraising effort to endow Chancellor’s Scholars awards. An endowed Chancellor’s Initiative scholarship is created with a $62,500 gift and allows the scholarship to be provided in perpetuity. Donors can also support the effort through one-time scholarship gifts of $10,000 or by supporting annual giving, which create scholarships by combining donations.

“We would not be close to being able to provide this opportunity if it weren’t for our incredible Pirates who have committed their resources to make this happen,” Guidry said. “We have the best alumni and friends in the world who know and are passionate about the real value of an ECU education. Their selflessness in providing the same opportunity to others is example No. 1 of what this institution is all about.”

The scholarship initiative is a point of pride shared by members of ECU’s Board of Visitors, who are charged with promoting ECU with the NC General Assembly, Council of State, business entities, community leaders and citizens throughout North Carolina.

“ECU needs enrollment and offering this [scholarship] as part of acceptance is equally important as to whom we are offering them. I have two recent acceptance letters for students in our house, and it matters when a student sees a scholarship,” said Toby Thomas ’98, chair of the ECU Board of Visitors.

While it is difficult to determine the impact of an inaugural program, Thomas sees an essential correlation between student success and scholarship.

“In the short term, a scholarship eases financial pressure. Moreso, it tells the student they are valued and the work they have done has earned them something — a tangible reward,” he said.

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