COMMON PURPOSE

Faculty convene to kick off new school year

During Friday morning’s Faculty Convocation, Chancellor Dr. Cecil Staton addressed East Carolina University’s faculty for the first time since beginning his role on July 1.

Staton highlighted many of the university’s recent recognitions and achievements, acknowledged the challenges facing ECU and higher education in general, and outlined his goals for the coming years.

“For those of us committed to the world of higher education, there is no more optimistic time than the beginning of fall term of each year,” he said. “August and September are filled with the hope and inspiration that returning to campus and seeing a new class of students provides.

“New students bring new dreams, new questions, new teaching challenges and fresh opportunities to impact the next generation.”

In introducing Staton, Dr. John Stiller, faculty chair, cited the Latin origin of the term “convocation” and pointed out that such interactions between the university’s professors and researchers “can lead to unique results, truly important innovations, profound advances in human knowledge and understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.”

Prior to his remarks, a slideshow highlighted faculty members from each of ECU’s colleges and their contributions. He introduced the faculty officers and vice chancellors, and recognized the members of the faculty senate and previous chairs of that body.

Gabe DiMartino from the ECU School of Music provides a musical interlude on the trumpet.

A special musical presentation was performed by Gabe DiMartino, associate professor of trumpet in the School of Music, before Staton and Stiller gave their perspectives on the coming year.

Staton noted that ECU will set a total enrollment record this year, with almost 29,000 students expected to be registered by census day. “For the first time since fall of 2008 we will have graduate enrollment growth,” he added.

Staton told the faculty that he will be launching an intentional effort related to the branding and image of the university.

“ECU is a hidden gem in higher education in this country,” he said. “But there is no virtue in being hidden.”

As part of that effort to increase awareness of the university, he said ECU must increase its research enterprise and footprint, with the goal of reaching the $100 million mark in extramural funding, nearly doubling current levels. He also emphasized the importance of internationalization.

“Too few international students come to ECU and too few ECU students study abroad,” he said.

He spoke of his own experience studying abroad, saying that it changed his life and broadened his perspective of the world.

Also at the event, Dr. Richard Williams, recipient of the 2016 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Dr. Carmen Russoniello, recipient of the 2015 Governor James E. Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service, were recognized and addressed the faculty.

Williams spoke of the importance of narrative in conveying knowledge, while Russoniello encouraged the faculty to participate in service learning opportunities. “If you want to find out about yourself, do service learning,” he said. “You will learn with your students.”

In closing, Staton said, “Today I want to ask you to join me in a renewed commitment to the innovation that runs through every level of our work. In every way that we interact with students we must prepare them to live and work and make a difference in today’s global knowledge-based economy.

“We’re going to focus on Mission Number 1, which is student success.”