ECU COMMENCEMENT

Grads ready to 'make a difference'

After years of study and service, exams and extracurricular activities, East Carolina University graduates turned purple and gold tassels Friday, May 4.

Undergraduate students celebrated along with master’s, doctoral and certificate recipients at the 103rd spring commencement ceremony at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Approximately 3,800 students graduated this spring including 73 from the Brody School of Medicine.

“It’s exciting and terrifying at the same time,” said medical school graduate Nik Collin, reflecting on leaving ECU.

McRae
Dave McRae, chief executive officer of Vidant Health, gave the featured address. He focused on the positive impact Pirates can have on the region and world, but didn’t shy away from the difficulties they may face.

“Don’t expect everything to fall in place right away,” he said. “The message is to stay flexible, to grow and change in your career but to stick to the values and core strengths your family gave you.”

McRae

McRae told graduates it’s important to keep generations connected – a message that rang true as a handful of 1962 ECU graduates looked on from the Murphy Center in gold robes. Today’s leaders will pass responsibilities and opportunities to the celebrated graduates and future ECU students, McRae said.

“There are so many areas of life in which you personally can now make a difference. You’re ready.”

Family and friends who helped and supported students as they worked toward graduation were also recognized during commencement.

Nancy Lemis of Hampton, Va., sat at the front of the bleachers with her mother and nephews to watch her daughter, Courtney Stearn, graduate with a doctorate in physical therapy. Stearn was a feature twirler with the Marching Pirates for eight years. She was introduced to ECU by attending a band event during high school.

“I’m excited for her,” Lemis said.  “We just lost my dad three weeks ago, but he is here in spirit. He had front row seats.”

Stearn graduated with a degree in exercise physiology in 2007 and has been interviewing for jobs. She plans to start work in August after taking the national board examination.

Others gained a whole new family at ECU.

Kaitlyn Mann of Engelhard majored in health and human performance and is the first in her family to get a four-year degree. Her physical education class is small, about 25 people, and everyone is close.

“They are like my second family,” she said. “I would recommend ECU to anybody.”