Rogers: Thank You, Pirate Nation

Thank you, Pirate Nation.

As I reflect on this week of Thanksgiving, I am reminded of what makes our institution so special and why I am so proud to be part of this community. The people who make up this great university — all of you — ensure we deliver on our mission each day.

As Pirates, it has been a fast-paced fall semester, and we have accomplished many great things together. Our world-class faculty are instrumental in delivering on a high-quality educational experience in the classroom, generating impressive research initiatives, and driving meaningful impact in our community and region. Our staff and administrators lead the way in ensuring our campus operates safely, efficiently, effectively, and with a long-term strategy focused on missional success. Our students inspire us daily and bring much needed energy to a vibrant campus life. Our governing boards, alumni and other institutional stakeholders add value to who we are as a community and where we are going.

With the support of so many of you this fall semester, we have made considerable progress on many important campus initiatives, including: launching a new effort to refresh our strategic plan; raising more than $420 million toward our $500 million Pursue Gold Campaign; opening the Isley Innovation Hub; securing more than $80 million in sponsored research awards; cutting the ribbon on the new Eastern Region Pharma Center space funded by the Golden Leaf Foundation; welcoming United States Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, the first Native American poet laureate, to our campus; announcing a new partnership with the world’s largest YouTube content creation company; and so many other impressive wins for East Carolina University. I wish I could name them all, but we would be here all day!

Together, YOU are the reason why we are affirming and delivering on the public’s confidence in our institution as a good return on investment for the people of North Carolina — and for that sustained hard work and leadership, I am most grateful to each of you.

At the same time, I hope you’ll also recognize that this time of Thanksgiving is one where rest, renewal, and rejuvenation is needed and encouraged for all of us. It is important to leverage this time for a much-needed break and to be mindful of the many health and well-being resources offered on our campus for employees and students. Please take good care of yourselves this week and when we return to wrap up the remainder of the fall semester.

Finally, I’d like to express personal gratitude to all of Pirate Nation for the unwavering support you show to our university each and every day. The collaborative spirit and commitment to our mission does not go unnoticed and I am thankful.

Go Pirates!
— Chancellor Philip Rogers