Awards ceremony celebrates internationalization at ECU
East Carolina University’s Office of Global Affairs celebrated the accomplishments of faculty, staff and students during the annual International Awards Ceremony Tuesday, Nov. 19.
Dr. Jon Rezek, assistant vice chancellor for global affairs, said the number of new international undergraduate students enrolled this fall was the highest on record for the university. For the second consecutive year, ECU was named a Top University for International Students by U.S. News and World Report.
International Undergraduate Student Award winner Musawenkosi Mpondi. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)
“We are working to build a strong community of international students because word of mouth is the best form of recruitment. We have implemented new programs and reinvigorated others to support international students academically, socially and professionally,” said Rezek.
Additionally, the number of students participating in curricular or co-curricular experiences abroad rose 9% and there was a 20% increase in students participating in faculty-led summer programs abroad in just one year at ECU.
The awards ceremony took place during International Education Week and honored outstanding faculty and students for their commitment to increasing internationalization at ECU.
Dr. Linda Kean, professor and director of the School of Communication, received the Award for Achievement in International Teaching; Patricia Clark, Theatre Education and Theatre for Youth Area coordinator, was presented the Award for Achievement in International Service and Engagement; and Dr. Marame Gueye, associate professor in the English department, received the Award for Achievement in International Research and Creative Activity.
In addition to faculty and staff, two international students were recognized for their service to the community and academic achievement.
International Undergraduate Student Award winner Musawenkosi Mpondi is a junior from South Africa majoring in accounting. At ECU, Mpondi volunteers helping young children with various illnesses through the organization, A Moment of Magic. At home in South Africa, he works with Meals on Wheels in low income areas.
International Graduate Student Award winner Xinjun Wu.
Xinjun Wu was the recipient of the International Graduate Student Award. He is pursuing a doctorate in biology and studies the areas of reproductive endocrinology and gene editing. He is a member of the Genetics Society of America, Society of Study of Reproduction, The Endocrine Society and ECU’s Chinese Student and Scholar Association.
Study abroad scholarships were awarded during the ceremony. Generous donors have provided more than $300,000 in scholarships for international opportunities in the last three years at ECU.
The Thomas W. Rivers Foreign Exchange Scholarship provides funds for current ECU students who wish to participate in research or courses abroad. This year’s recipients were Adam Alston, Hilda Amoah, Lori Anderson, Delaney Arthur, Amber Baggette, Anna Drage, Desteney Hopkins Edwards, Sabree Flood, Ross Judd, Nichole Maldonado, Karina Aguirre Pereda and Kaleya Williams.
The Harold H. Bate Study Abroad Scholarship is available to students from Craven, Jones and Pamlico counties who major in Arts and Sciences. The recipients were Caitlin Friello, Kamie Mays, Shemaiah Moore and Haley Salmons.
-by Jamie Smith, ECU News Services