Voyages of Discovery: 20 years exploring the arts and sciences
Providing community access to prominent, impactful leaders
- East Carolina University’s Voyages of Discovery Series marks its 20th anniversary with Ada Limón and Bill Nye during the 2026-27 season.
- The season also includes a fundraising Discovery Ball celebrating 20 years of bringing prominent speakers to campus and the community.
- The series continues ECU’s tradition of providing low-cost public access to nationally recognized leaders in science, literature and other fields.
For the past 20 years, East Carolina University has provided the campus and surrounding community with low-cost access to hear and learn from impactful innovators and prominent leaders in their fields. Guests have included Jane Goodall, Anita Hill, Carmen Perez, Sir Salman Rushdie, Neil deGrasse Tyson, LeVar Burton and Sean Astin, among many others.
Ada Limón is an award-winning author and U.S. poet laureate and Bill Nye is an Emmy-winning science educator, mechanical engineer, author, inventor and CEO. (Contributed photo)
These visits are made possible through the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Voyages of Discovery Series, which advances the spirit of discovery that lies at the heart of the arts and sciences. The college continues this long-standing tradition and invites the community to celebrate “20 Years of Exploration: Sustaining the Legacy of the Arts and Sciences.” The 2026-27 season will include two guests and a special fundraising Discovery Ball.
Ada Limón, an award-winning author and the 24th U.S. poet laureate, will open the 20th anniversary season on Nov. 5. She will give a short presentation, read from one of her works and participate in a question-and-answer session with the audience.
More Information
Special-access receptions with guest speakers are scheduled before each Voyages event. Receptions and presentations are in the Main Campus Student Center, Room 249 and the ballrooms, respectively. Tickets will be available beginning Sept. 1 through the ECU Central Ticket Office.
Each 7 p.m. Voyages presentation is free for ECU faculty, staff and students. Tickets are required. Visit the Voyages website for additional information and options for free access with an ECU 1 Card. Questions may be directed to thcas@ecu.edu.
All event dates, times and locations are subject to change. Individuals requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should call 252-737-1018 or email ada-coordinator@ecu.ecu at least one week before the event.
The series is made possible through contributions from Harriot College’s Dean’s Advancement Council, university and community organizations, and many additional friends and supporters. For more information or to contribute, visit Support the Series.
Limón is the author of seven poetry collections, including “The Carrying,” winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, and “Bright Dead Things,” a National Book Award finalist. A MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellow and a 2024 TIME Woman of the Year, Limón also writes for children and edited “You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World,” exploring humanity’s connection to place, nature and wonder.
Known for her vivid storytelling and keen observations of everyday life, Limón’s poetry is celebrated for its accessibility and depth, playing with themes of personal identity, the natural world and the human experience.
Bill Nye, an Emmy-winning science educator, mechanical engineer, television personality and CEO of the Planetary Society — a nonprofit space-interest group — will visit campus on March 18, 2027, to participate in a moderated question-and-answer event.
Nye may be best known for his iconic PBS-syndicated series “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” which earned him 18 Emmy awards in five years. The show made complex scientific concepts understandable and fun for children and adults alike, earning Nye a place in the hearts of millions of viewers.
However, Nye is more than a witty television scientist. He is an education advocate, author and inventor with a lifelong mission to make science accessible and entertaining. He has dedicated his career to promoting scientific literacy and environmental awareness.
As the CEO of the Planetary Society, Nye advocates for space exploration and works on initiatives like the MarsDial, a sundial used on the Mars rovers. He is a vocal proponent of climate action and sustainability, using his platform to educate the public about the urgent need to address climate change.
Finally, be on the lookout for more information about the fundraising Discovery Ball to help celebrate this momentous year.