Brinkley-Lane Scholar: Rachel Themistokleous
Rachel Themistokleous was so sure East Carolina University was the place for her that she accepted her admission before being selected to be a Brinkley-Lane Scholar. Her decision was locked in on the night of Selection Sunday, the interview day for the program.
“I chose ECU because of the welcoming community and the great school spirit I found when I was there,” Themistokleous said. “I really just love what ECU is about, and the community and school spirit.”
Housed in the Honors College, the Brinkley-Lane Scholars program is the most prestigious undergraduate award offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Both in-state and out-of-state recipients receive a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and high impact experiences. Included in the scholarship is the ability to explore the world and pursue additional educational opportunities with a $5,000 study abroad stipend and a $3,000 enrichment scholarship. Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty and a robust alumni network.
Themistokleous, from Brookeville, Maryland, said she wanted to find a school that would feel like home. She said she felt that when she visited ECU for the first time. The feeling grew in subsequent visits and during the application process with the Honors College.
“Every time I visited campus, I realized more and more this is where I want to be,” she said. “Everything I learned over Selection Sunday just made me think, ‘Wow, I really want to be a part of this.’”
ECU also offers a security studies degree that Themistokleous wants. Themistokleous said she has always been interested in criminal justice and intelligence work and hopes to be a criminal or intelligence analyst, and possibly, in the future, work for the FBI or CIA.
Themistokleous said the reality of earning a Brinkley-Lane scholarship is still sinking in. “I just can’t believe this, but being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar means, I think, not only being supported and inspired by my fellow scholars and those around me but also being able to be a leader and a role model for others,” she said.
As a leader at ECU, Themistokleous would like to continue her service outreach that she started in high school. She is chapter president of The Birthday Giving Program, a nonprofit designed to celebrate birthdays of underprivileged children. She has her sights set on working on the Birthday Giving Program with the Boys and Girls Club of Pitt County.
In addition to all the on-campus activities of the Brinkley-Lane program, Themistokleous has her eye on ECU’s study abroad opportunity in Tuscany, Italy.
“I’m really excited to study abroad. That just sounds awesome to me, being in a whole other country and still being able to learn and get life experience,” she said. “I think being in another country, it is cool still having that ECU support (system) there and be able to still have faculty and take classes still related to my major while also being in a different country.”
Themistokleous is also interested in joining The East Carolinian and the security studies club. Once she settles in, Themistokleous is thinking about the field hockey club team and possibly rushing a sorority.
“Every time I visited campus, I realized more and more this is where I want to be. Everything I learned over Selection Sunday just made me think, ‘Wow, I really want to be a part of this.’”
High school: Sherwood High School
Intended major: Security studies
Current City: Brookeville, Maryland