ECU graduates more than 2,200 at 2018 fall commencement

East Carolina University students celebrate commencement in Minges Coliseum on Dec. 14. (Photo by Cliff Hollis)

East Carolina University College of Business alumnus J. Fielding Miller ’84 told new graduates on Friday to “be very purposeful about what you read, listen to and who you hang out with” as they enter the next phase of their life.

Miller delivered the commencement address as family and friends celebrated more than 2,200 students who received degrees during fall commencement on Dec. 14 in Minges Coliseum. ECU conferred 1,655 bachelor and 585 graduate degrees, including 38 doctoral degrees.

Miller is co-founder, chairman and CEO of CAPTRUST Financial Advisors. He led Raleigh-based CAPTRUST from an entrepreneurial startup in 1997 to one of the largest independent investment advisory firms in the country.

“What goes in your mind comes out in your life,” Miller said. “The diploma you earn is a ticket to the game. That’s it. Everything resets.”

He encouraged students to focus on their EQ, or emotional quotient, which guides “the sense of self and impact on others, and the ability to communicate with people from all walks of life.” A strong EQ can help in decision-making, overcoming obstacles, managing conflict and ultimately lead to a happier workplace and life.

“If you want to rise to the top of your profession, your EQ rather than your IQ is the most important,” Miller said. “EQ is something you can develop. A high IQ is an advantage to a point but it’s not going to take you to the top.”

Chancellor Cecil Staton told the graduates, “When we leave here today, it will be your chance to go out and make your mark on the world.

“You are graduating from an institution that values the students that come through this place, and are molded into future leaders of this region, this state, and this country,” Staton said.

Proud parents Karen and Jose Carlos of Jacksonville, whose son Devin earned a bachelor’s degree in math and computer science, said they were thankful he transferred to ECU. “It’s a great university,” Karen said. Jose said Devin’s graduation is significant because “he’s the first male in my family to do this.”

ECU Chancellor Cecil Staton encouraged graduates to go out and make their mark on the world. (Photo by Rhett Butler)

The day brought double excitement for the Moss family of Rougemont. Stephanie Halpin Moss earned a master’s in adult education while her daughter, C. Hayes Moss, graduated with a bachelor’s in construction management.

“We’re a proud ECU family,” she said. Her husband, Paul, received his degree 32 years ago. Their daughter, Hannah, graduated four years ago and a son, Stephen, will be at ECU in 2019.

“I needed a degree from ECU too,” said Stephanie, who works in academic affairs at the Duke University medical school. Her coursework was all online. “It was an incredible program.”

Emily Casella of Raleigh earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “I’ll always remember starting my first IV. You do it in the practice lab all the time, and then you walk in and it’s time to do it for real,” she said. “The thing I’ll miss most is all the friends I’ve made. And the 5 a.m. clinicals.”

Leanna Perry of Trenton spent two or three hours on Thursday decorating her cap for the event. It featured gold sparkles with an eyeshadow tray, brush and the phrase “I just winged it,” all a nod to her makeup artist skills – which she would like to make a career one day.

Perry, a communication major with a concentration in interpersonal/organizational communication, said many of her teachers growing up were ECU alumni. “The school pride is unmatched,” she said. Perry celebrated with her mother, father, brother and twin sister. “It feels good today.”

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