RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE
Inaugural awards ceremony highlights internationalization
As part of International Education Week, East Carolina University celebrated its commitment to growing the international footprint on campus at the inaugural International Awards Ceremony Thursday, Nov. 16.
ECU’s Office of Global Affairs hosted the event and its director Jon Rezek said the ceremony was a way to recognize the excellence that his office sees daily on campus.
“We wanted to showcase some of the great things that our faculty and our students are doing to promote internationalization and globalization on our campus,” he said.
Chancellor Staton and Jon Rezek congratulate Oluwatosin Ayinde.
Chancellor Cecil Staton opened the ceremony by recalling his first study abroad experience as an undergraduate student at Furman University.
“It was a life-changing experience and it was one that would eventually lead me to study and pursue a degree in another country. It changed my horizon. It showed me how wonderful this world really is – to see other cultures and other places and to encounter people with different backgrounds,” said Staton. “From that time forward I have been a big believer in internationalization and global education in higher education. I think it’s one of the most important things we can do.”
Thursday’s ceremony recognized professors who provide and encourage students to seek opportunities that broaden their understanding of the world outside ECU through research, education and service.
Dr. Marion Eppler, an associate professor of psychology, received the Award for Excellence in International Education; Dr. Baohong Zhang, associate professor of Biology, was presented the Award for Excellence in International Research; and associate professor in maritime studies Dr. Jennifer McKinnon received the Impact Award for Service and Outreach.
ECU staff members Megan Wade, James Coker and Dale Owen received special appreciation awards for their work in international marketing and enrollment.
In addition to faculty and staff, two international students were recognized for their service to the community and academic achievement.
Undergraduate student Oluwatosin Ayinde of Nigeria has been a student at ECU for three years. She is completing a degree in chemistry and hopes to pursue a doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences.
“She is a great leader and a great mentor,” said Dr. Keith Holmes during his introduction of Ayinde.
A native of Spain, Pol Solanellas Manzanares is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. He was a member of of ECU’s cross country and track and field teams and was named an Outstanding Scholar-Athlete in 2017.
“Pol is the student that, as faculty members, we dream of. He’s dedicated; he’s engaged; he’s excited to learn, intelligent, humble, kind; and he is going to go on to do amazing things,” said Dr. Amy McMillan, who supervises Manzanares as her graduate assistant.
In addition to the faculty, staff and student awards presented, approximately $120,000 in scholarships was awarded to help more than 90 students pursue study abroad experiences over the next year.
Amber Alvarenga, a junior majoring in Hispanic studies, plans to use the $2,000 Thomas W. Rivers Foreign Exchange Scholarship to travel to Spain this summer. She hopes to attend medical school after completing her undergraduate degree.
“I’m hoping to achieve more fluency in the language and a broader knowledge of the cultural aspect,” said Alvarenga.
This semester, more than 44 countries are represented by ECU’s students, and Rezek expects to see continued growth as the university works to become a more global campus.
To close the ceremony, Provost Ron Mitchelson gave several examples of how different facets of our world such as finances, trade and community are impacted by globalization and how that influence has grown in the last 40 years.
“What we’re talking about today (globalization and internationalization) is not a luxury, this is something we must do for our students. They simply need the awareness of this global environment they live and work in,” said Mitchelson.
Approximately $120,000 in study abroad scholarships was awarded to students during the ceremony.