ECU Excels receptions honor high-achieving students
East Carolina University’s Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences recognized its high-achieving freshmen and first-year transfer students at the college’s annual ECU Excels reception Feb. 10 in the Main Campus Student Center ballroom. Throughout the week, other colleges and schools at ECU also had Excels celebrations, honoring those students majoring in their respective fields who earned a minimum 3.0 GPA in their first semester at ECU.
Harriot College freshmen and first-year transfer students who received at least a 3.0 GPA during their first semester were honored during the college’s annual ECU Excels reception Feb. 10. (Photos by Rob Taylor Photography & Design)
“Each college hosts their own event, tailoring it to their student population,” said Elizabeth McAllister, associate director of academic advising and support, who serves as the ECU Excels coordinator. “The College of Fine Arts and Communication ceremony includes performances by upperclassmen and the College of Allied Health Sciences selects outstanding seniors to provide words of advice to encourage the first-year students to continue their academic success.”
In its 11th year, nearly 2,200 students from across the university qualified to be recognized for the program. This does not include the College of Business, which has opted to recognize its students in another way.
Of the students recognized, 64 are undecided and fall within the Major Advisement Program; 107 are from the College of Allied Health Sciences; 173 are from the College of Education; 286 are from the College of Engineering and Technology; 140 are from the College of Fine Arts and Communication; 429 are from the College of Health and Human Performance; 378 are from the College of Nursing; and 600 are from the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences — the largest cohort at ECU and the largest for the college to date.
Harriot College honorees and their guests celebrated with cake and mingled with faculty and associate deans. Students in attendance also received a certificate and had photos taken by a professional photographer.
Dr. Allison S. Danell, interim dean of Harriot College, welcomed everyone to the celebration and congratulated the students on their accomplishments.
In its 11th year, nearly 2,200 students from across the university qualified to be recognized for the program.
“The students in attendance today have truly excelled. You’ve started your career off with a bang, and you have achieved academic excellence in your very first semester in college,” Danell said. “I’m so pleased to bring you, your families and other special people in your lives together to celebrate. I have a feeling they have played critical roles in your success.”
Following the dean’s remarks, a member of the Harriot College student body and faculty provided words of wisdom and encouragement to awardees on how to be successful throughout their academic careers at ECU.
“It means a great deal to have the opportunity to speak to you today. It feels like just yesterday I was in your position,” said John Winslow, a senior majoring in chemistry and minoring in sociology, who will enter ECU’s School of Dental Medicine this fall.
“Getting to this point in my academic career was not easy, and like all of you, I had to put in countless hours — stressing about labs, getting to class, projects and deadlines — but at the end of the day it was worth every minute,” he said.
Winslow stated that he did not achieve success on his own but had a lot of support and encouragement from his friends, family and ECU professors.
He provided students with insight on what he found beneficial through his academic career, including becoming familiar with and developing meaningful relationships with the professors; studying abroad and getting to “know what is out there,” because you do have time; participating in extracurricular activities, which allow a person to make new friends, develop personal skills and spend time on activities that “make you happy;” and picking a major or minor that you “love and you can enjoy doing every single day.”
“I am proud of the person I am today because of what ECU has given me, and my wish for all of you is that you are proud each and every day to be a Pirate as well,” Winslow said.
Dr. Lynnsay Marsan, teaching assistant professor of biology
Dr. Lynnsay Marsan, teaching assistant professor of biology, director of the biology living learning community and vice chancellor fellow for undergraduate research, congratulated the students and thanked them for doing the “hard work.”
Marsan highlighted the importance of continuing to ask questions and research that is the key to finding the answers.
“There’s a whole fantastic world out there,” Marsan said. “Everything is interconnected.”
She encouraged students to seek out their professors, perform their own research, attend conferences, present papers and interact with their peers.
Danell concluded with a few remarks on the benefits of a liberal arts and sciences degree and how students in Harriot College are prepared for their future upon graduation.
“That degree — that you are going to work so hard to get — is going to be your ticket to showing employers, graduate schools or professional schools that you are ready to solve problems. You are ready to think critically. You are ready to lead,” she said. “And know that Pirate Nation is cheering you on, on your journey.”
“Getting to this point in my academic career was not easy, and like all of you, I had to put in countless hours — stressing about labs, getting to class, projects and deadlines — but at the end of the day it was worth every minute.”
– John Winslow, THCAS senior
Related story from the College of Engineering and Technology: College recognizes success of freshmen
Visit the THCAS ECU Excels Photo Gallery
-by Lacey L. Gray, University Communications