ECU and Golden LEAF Foundation commemorate success
Golden LEAF Foundation scholarships are a family tradition for East Carolina University senior Sarah Nasser and sophomore Khalid Nasser. Both are current scholars. Their younger brother, Saad, has been accepted to ECU and is awaiting news from his Golden LEAF Foundation scholarship application.
Siblings Khalid and Sarah Nasser are Golden LEAF scholars at ECU. (ECU photos by George Crocker)
“It means so much to us and has helped us and eased our way so dramatically,” Sarah Nasser said of the scholarship. “It’s an honor and an accomplishment [to receive it] and it’s definitely one of my most proud moments. I would like [Golden LEAF] to know how impactful the scholarship has been on my life, on my brother’s life, on anyone who has received the scholarship.”
Sarah learned about the Golden LEAF opportunity from her older sisters, who attended the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and are Golden LEAF alumni. “That’s what’s so amazing about our story. We have all received it, which is absolutely wonderful.”
At ECU, the Golden LEAF family includes 70 current students. Sarah and Khalid Nasser were among dozens of scholars attending the 10th annual celebration of the Golden LEAF Foundation and its longtime support of the scholars and the university.
The foundation provides 215 scholarships each year — covering tuition, room and board — for students from rural and economically distressed communities to attend North Carolina colleges and universities. The award provide $3,500 per year for up to four years for North Carolina high school students attending a participating North Carolina college or university. North Carolina community college transfer students can receive $3,500 per year for up to three years. Being a Golden LEAF Scholar also provides an opportunity to have a paid internship in their home community through the Golden LEAF Rural Internship Initiative.
Chancellor Philip Rogers praised the Golden LEAF Foundation for being a great partner with the university and celebrated the shared vision of the two organizations — to advance economic prosperity in the rural areas of the state.
“That shared vision for the future between our two organizations has ensured that we’re not only an academic institution that is on the rise, but a region that’s on the rise,” Rogers said. “We cannot do this work alone. We need great partners. We need people to walk alongside us to change the lives of the people that we serve.”
Rogers highlighted how the ECU-Golden LEAF partnership has led to “real, impactful, tangible outcomes” at ECU and in the region for 25 years. In addition to its scholarship program, Golden LEAF contributions have supported the world-renowned ECU Diabetes and Obesity Institute, the ECU Family Medicine Center, which trains future physicians, and the Eastern Region Pharma Center in ECU’s Life Sciences and Biotechnology Building, which connects industry and business to academics and research.
“One of the most impactful parts of the partnership is the Golden LEAF Scholarship program,” Rogers said. “It’s certainly a purpose that speaks to the heart, the mission and the DNA that a lot of people found here at ECU.”
Golden LEAF Foundation President and CEO Scott T. Hamilton shared in the milestone celebration of the scholars and the organization’s long relationship with ECU. Hamilton said that the foundation’s long-term strategy to grow rural North Carolina and help it continue to prosper is manifesting in the current scholars and program alumni. ECU has 288 Golden LEAF alumni scholars.
“That is the largest cohort of alumni scholars on any college campus across North Carolina,” Hamilton said. “These alumni are tangible examples of the board’s mission in action. They are talented individuals who have made a difference in their communities. We are incredibly proud.”
Hamilton said Golden LEAF is honored to support the scholars, participants in the Rural Internship Initiative and RISE 29, an innovation and entrepreneurship program in the College of Business aimed at rural economic prosperity.
To commemorate the milestone celebration, Hamilton presented Rogers with a golden tobacco leaf map of the state of North Carolina inscribed to recognize ECU’s dedication to the Golden LEAF Foundation and its scholars.
Scholar success
Brent Humann, a first-year Golden LEAF scholar from Rockingham, is studying political science and economics, with a minor in music. He spoke at the event and shared the impact of the scholarship on his student experience.
Chancellor Philip Rogers, center, receives a Golden LEAF Foundation plaque from Scott Hamilton and Ralph Strayhorn, right.
“Receiving the Golden LEAF Scholarship to attend ECU was such a blessing, and it meant not having to take out student loans to go to college,” Humann said. “On top of that, the community Golden LEAF has provided us has also been a big help. Golden LEAF has been supporting me throughout my first year, providing me helpful tips and support in the transition to college life.”
Humann has applied for the internship initiative and if accepted will be partnering with Chief District Court Judge Amanda Wilson in Richmond County.
Sarah Nasser completed a Golden LEAF internship with a Greenville speech therapist. The experience reinforced her goal to become a speech therapist after graduate school.
“It was honestly amazing,” she said. “I learned so much more about my career. And I realized that this is exactly what I want to do. I got a better idea of the different therapy approaches that I could do for my patients.”
Khalid Nasser is majoring in information and cybersecurity technology and aims to work as an ethical hacker. After graduation, he hopes to help smaller cities, like Lumberton, that may not have as much access to cybersecurity support.
When he has the opportunity to apply to the Golden LEAF Rural Internship, he hopes to find an internship in cybersecurity. He said knowing the program is available, and can help him find an internship, provides him more time to focus on classwork and prepare for his future.
“I can focus a lot more on my classwork and dedicate more time to clubs, studying and tutoring,” Khalid said.
His experience at ECU has allowed him to build relationships with a group of classmates and friends who motivate him to go to class, learn more and “win together.” It’s also given him advice to share with his brother. “College is a really fun, exciting experience. Don’t be afraid to take opportunities, don’t be afraid to connect with people.”