All first-time students were invited to fall convocation in Minges Coliseum and then Pirate Palooza at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
With roughly 4,000 students in attendance, both events were a huge success!
Welcoming the newest additions to Pirate Nation!
The purpose of convocation is to foster community-building traditions, student involvement and campus commitment. This year’s keynote speaker was Lex Gillette, World Record Holder, Paralympic Medalist, World Champion and ECU Alumnus.
“What you see doesn’t make you who you are.”
- Toniqua Young, ECU student from Windsor, NC
(In reference to Gillette’s speech in which he talked about vision for your life is more than being able to see.)
"At ECU you’re going to have an opportunity to explore your own values and determine a meaning and purpose for your life. My challenge for you, as your chancellor, is that you find that purpose and pursue it with all the passion you can. Make a difference."
- Chancellor Cecil P. Staton
"Look around this room and you will see the beautiful diversity that is North Carolina, that is our region, that is our country, that is our world. We celebrate that at ECU. You’re going to meet people who are different than you and come from all kinds of backgrounds. You’re going to come to understand what that word 'diversity' really means. Together we reflect the beauty of the world."
- Chancellor Cecil P. Staton
"AS YOU MAKE THIS PLACE YOUR HOME, WE WANT YOU TO FOCUS ON FOUR THEMES THAT WILL GUIDE YOU IN YOUR SUCCESS AS A STUDENT – CONNECT, ENGAGE, MOTIVATE AND FINISH STRONG. CONNECT WITHIN AND BEYOND YOUR CLASSROOM; ENGAGE IN OPPORTUNITIES ON AND OFF CAMPUS; STAY MOTIVATED IN ORDER TO BECOME THE PERSON YOU WANT TO BE AND AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, WHICH WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT – FINISH STRONG!"
- Dr. Virginia D. Hardy, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Following convocation, the students gathered at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium for the 17th annual Pirate Palooza, which included dueling pianos, large inflatables, athletic games, free food and giveaways. Students who posted tweets and photographs to social media using the #ECUPalooza hashtag saw their posts displayed on the stadium scoreboard.
Credits:
Photos by Cliff Hollis / Videos by Rich Klindworth