Lauren Humann
All good things come to those who wait. For Keri Elizabeth Humann of Rockingham, that adage turned out to be true. She called her daughter, 18-year-old Lauren Humann, to let her know that there was a letter from EC Scholars and asked if she could open it.
“I told her ‘no’ that she had to wait until I got home from school and work,” said Humann. “I wanted to be an EC Scholar so badly that for the next two hours of my class, I just sat there shaking, thinking, wondering and worrying.”
Later that night, she opened the letter with her mom and sister. “I read, ‘Congratulations Lauren Humann.’ I was so excited I may have started crying tears of joy.”
The seeds of wanting to become an EC Scholar probably started when Humann visited East Carolina University’s campus for the first time in February 2021.
“The only thing I knew about ECU was that it had both an engineering and business school,” she said. “I was accepted to every school I applied to, so I had to figure out which school was the right fit for me. So, I went to visit ECU for the first time in February. My tour guide was amazing. I felt like ECU was where I was meant to be!”
When asked what it means to be an EC Scholar, Humann said it’s all about the opportunities. From volunteering to making friends to networking to study abroad — Italy is a distinct possibility for her — Humann plans to experience it all.
“I plan to take advantage of every opportunity offered to me to be the best I can be,” she said.
EC Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. The four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership skills. Recipients receive an Honors College scholarship and a stipend for study abroad for a total value of nearly $64,000.
It’s not a cliché that Lauren’s time at ECU will be magical. She plans on getting involved with many activities once she’s on campus, including the theater. Plus, there’s one particular club that has her interest.
“I plan to join several clubs at ECU, especially, A Moment of Magic. This club is dedicated to spreading magic and joy by volunteering at the children’s hospital.”
Humann plans to extend the magic she finds at ECU into her career. Though she has not decided if engineering or business will be her major, she wants to become an Imagineer for the Walt Disney World Company after leaving ECU.
“I have always been inspired by how many things Walt Disney was able to do that were considered impossible,” said Humann.
If that opportunity does not come to fruition, Humann is also considering working at an electric utility company.
“I graduated from Richmond College Early School with an associate degree in electric utility substation and relay technology,” said Humann. “I am fortunate to have so many opportunities ahead of me, and I cannot wait to see where I end up.”
“I plan to take advantage of every opportunity offered to me to be the best I can be.”
High school: Richmond Early College High School
Intended major: Business or engineering
Hometown: Rockingham