Austin James Allen of Asheboro is a biochemistry major, Honors College student and member of the men’s tennis team. During his time at ECU, Allen has served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee working to improve awareness of mental health issues among student-athletes. He also interned with the East Carolina Heart Institute, where he observed cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgeons in both the clinic and operating room, and studied abroad in Spain in the summer of 2018. After graduation, Allen plans to attend medical school. He has already been accepted to multiple schools, including ECU’s Brody School of Medicine.

Michael Tyrone Denning Jr. of Garner is a public health studies major interested in medicine and science. One of Denning’s formidable experiences at ECU was attending a National Academy of Medicine workshop titled “An American Crisis: The Growing Absence of Black Men in Medicine and Science” in Washington, D.C. He has also traveled abroad on three occasions, to England, the Dominican Republic and Northern Ireland. Denning plans to get a master’s degree in public health and then attend the Brody School of Medicine.

Meghan Lower of Greenville is an EC Scholar majoring in science education and chemistry. She has worked as a research assistant in the chemistry department under Dr. Joi Walker studying the implementation of argumentation-based chemistry laboratory curriculum at ECU. Lower has also served as a mentor with the Pitt Pirates Robotics program and participated in numerous community service opportunities through the EC Scholars program. After graduation, Lower plans to attend earn her master’s degree in science education at ECU. Eventually, she’d like to earn her Ph.D. and work with chemistry teachers at the college level.

William Michael Taylor of Garner is a biochemistry and chemistry major in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Science. Taylor is a resident advisor and currently oversees the Biology Living Learning Community at ECU. He also worked as a research assistant in the chemistry department and will be presenting work at two upcoming research conferences. After graduation, Taylor will attend the Brody School of Medicine as part of the class of 2023. He’s interested in studying family medicine and working in eastern North Carolina helping underserved populations.

Ashley Weingartz of Greenville is a sports studies major and catcher for the ECU softball team. At ECU, Weingartz developed a student-athlete pen pal program with Wahl-Coates Elementary School, studied abroad in Cape Town, South Africa, and interned with Little League International assisting in preparations for the 2017 Little League World Series. Weingartz will attend the University of South Carolina to earn her Master of Science in sport and entertainment management while also working as a graduate assistant with the USC softball team. After that, she plans to pursue coaching or collegiate athletics administration.