College of Arts and Sciences honors students at ECU Excels reception
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. 15 in the new Student Center Ballroom.
In its 10th year, the event honored roughly 477 Harriot College students who achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher during their first semester at ECU, the largest for the college to date. Honorees and their guests celebrated with cake and mingled with faculty and associate deans from the college. Students in attendance also received a certificate and had photos taken by a professional photographer.
Harriot College freshmen and first-year transfer students who received at least a 3.0 GPA during their first semester at ECU were honored during the college’s annual ECU Excels reception Feb. 15. (Contributed photos)
Dr. William M. Downs, dean of Harriot College, welcomed everyone to the celebration and congratulated the students on their accomplishments.
“The transition from high school to college is the most difficult of a student’s life,” Downs said. “ECU Excels is all about recognizing and encouraging you early so that you stay on the path to success and a timely graduation; finish in four.”
Following the dean’s remarks, three members of the THCAS Dean’s Student Leadership Council provided words of wisdom and encouragement to awardees on how to be successful throughout their academic career at ECU.
Students sign in for the ECU Excels reception in the new Student Center Ballroom.
“I want to say congratulations,” said Laney Ezzell, chair of the leadership council and a senior majoring in criminal justice and political science. “It is a great accomplishment to maintain a good GPA your first semester of college. That number means you have worked hard, and like me, you probably did so despite other difficult moments in your life.”
Ezzell highlighted the intensity of a college course workload, the importance of time management and shared a personal story of losing a friend to cancer her freshman year, but said she was able to overcome her adversities.
“Throughout life, you are going to face adversity. If you fail, it is OK. Failure is inevitable,” Ezell said. “Get up, brush yourself off and keep going. This is a testament to your character. In life there is no success without adversity.”
Garrett Yarbrough, vice chair of the leadership council and a senior majoring in English and history, said, “As any student in their second year or beyond will attest, starting your college career off on the right foot is as significant to continued success as it is impressive.”
Yarbrough encourages students to practice lateral, interdisciplinary thinking and to study abroad to fully enhance their educational experience and knowledge.
“My biggest piece of advice to anyone in their freshman year is to follow your passions — they don’t have to be solely in your major,” Yarbrough said. “While you are in college, make it a goal to stay uncomfortable. When you are uncomfortable, you use this opportunity to adapt, and to adapt, you apply what you have learned to succeed in creative ways.”
Alexandria “Lexi” Miller, secretary of the leadership council and a senior pre-med student majoring in chemistry and foreign languages and literatures with a concentration in Hispanic studies, said, “You’ve now got a newfound freedom and it is up to you to be wise about how you spend your time.”
Table setting at the ECU Excels reception.
She told students there are four things to remember as they continue their college career: don’t skip class; use your planner; study, study, study; and don’t procrastinate.
“Have fun and have a social life, but don’t forget that you are here to begin your career. You’ve done well thus far, and I believe that you will continue to excel,” Miller concluded.
–by Lacey L. Gray, University Communications