We are the Torchbearers of Tradition

From Homecoming and the Golden Alumni Ceremony, to ECU’s Annual Birthday Celebration and the Senior Candlelight Ceremony, tradition abounds at dear ole East Car’lina. Your membership in the Alumni Association keeps these traditions alive and prosperous. In addition, new traditions like Walk the Plank (freshmen welcome ceremony), Class Ring Day, and Senior Salute have been ignited through the ideas and support of Association members and volunteers.



ECU upsets #17 Virginia Tech, 27-22

After finishing the 2007 season with an upset win over #24 Boise State in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, East Carolina started the 2008 season where it left off with an upset of #17 Virginia Tech, 27-22. With 1:52 left in the game, senior wide receiver T.J. Lee blocked the punt of Hokie Brent Bowden and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown to put the Pirates ahead for the first time in the game, and for good.

T.J. Lee's blocked punt and return for a touchdown has been nominated for a Pontiac Game Changing Performance. Voting ends at midnight on Wednesday, so vote now! The winning university earns a $5,000 contribution from Pontiac to their general scholarship fund. Additionally, the winning play will be nominated for the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year award and the chance to win a $100,000 general scholarship contribution from Pontiac.

Lee has also been nominated as the AT&T Player of the Week. To vote, text VOTE to 51234.



Alumni Awards

This fall, the East Carolina Alumni Association is proud to recognize six individuals and one couple for their personal achievements and loyalty to East Carolina University. These individuals represent tenacity, dedication, and the motto of East Carolina, Servire, “to serve.”

Since 1940 East Carolina has recognized Outstanding Alumni. This year’s recipients are:

More than 60 Distinguished Service Awards have been given since 1982. This year’s recipient is:
  • Stephen D. Showfety ’70, president of Koury Corporation, board member, ECU Foundation; member, Henry VanSant Society of the Pirate Club; former Vice Chairman, ECU Board of Visitors; former Secretary, Vice Chairman, and Chairman, ECU Board of Trustees
The Honorary Alumni Award is given to individuals who did not attend East Carolina University, but have adopted the University as their own. This year’s recipients are:
Please plan to join us at the Hilton Greenville on Friday, November 7 during Homecoming as we recognize these deserving individuals at the East Carolina Alumni Association Awards Ceremony and Dinner. A complimentary cocktail reception will be held from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. followed by the Awards Ceremony and Dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Honoring alumni achievement through public recognition is extremely important to the East Carolina Alumni Association, and it’s important for us to receive nominations year-round. The success of this program and the caliber of our award recipients hinges on the letters and nominations that alumni like you send recommending fellow Pirates for our Awards. Nomination forms are available on our web site and are due by November 1 each year. Nominate someone today!

Pirate's Bounty Scholarship Auction
Are you ready for a fun night of beach music, great food, plenty of Pirate beverages, and the best auction items in town? Then join the Alumni Association at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16 for our inaugural Pirate's Bounty Scholarship Auction benefiting ECU student scholarships. A new addition to our annual ECU Alumni Scholarship Classic, this auction will feature terrific vacation packages, sports memorabilia, Pirate merchandise, and other spectacular items from area businesses and Pirate supporters.

The Pirate's Bounty Scholarship Auction is open to anyone who wants to support ECU student scholarships and tickets are just $20 per person. This special event is included in all golf tournament player packages.

Coming in from out of town? Make plans to get a good night's rest at the Hilton Greenville by calling 252-355-5000.

Register online,or call 800-ECU-GRAD to get your tickets today! Interested in donating an auction item? Contact Liz Ellerbe for details. See you at the auction block!

ECU Alumni Scholarship Classic


It's time to play a round of golf for ECU student scholarships! Presented by the Hilton Greenville the ECU Alumni Scholarship Classic will be Friday, October 17 at Ironwood Golf & Country Club. Our four-person superball tournament begins with breakfast from ARAMARK at 8 a.m. followed by the first flight at 9 a.m. Then enjoy a catered lunch from O’Charley’s and the second flight at 2 p.m. Join fellow players for the 19th Hole Reception at the clubhouse after a great day on the links as part of your player package.

Register now to play, or contact Liz Ellerbe at 800-ECU-GRAD for sponsorship opportunities.
Pirate Career Calls
Need to jump-start your career? Are you already gainfully employed but want to polish some of your skills? Will you be making a career change this year? If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, then you should take advantage of Pirate Career Calls.

A collaborative effort between the Alumni Association, the ECU Career Center, and ECU Human Resources, Pirate Career Calls are interactive conference calls facilitated by career and human resource professionals who can help you advance your career. Pirate Career Calls are free to alumni and friends of the university and occur once a month (generally the first Thursday) from noon to 1:00 p.m. EST.

2008-2009 Pirate Career Call schedule:
Register now for September's Pirate Career Call: Preparing Your Job Search.

Away Game Tailgates
Join the Alumni Association and Pirate Club for Away Game Tailgates during the 2008 football season! We're going on the road to New Orleans, Raleigh, Charlottesville, VA, and Orlando. Be sure to bring your family to this Pirate tradition for great food, plenty of Pirate beverages, entertainment, and lots of door prizes. Register now!
Away Game Tailgate tickets are $20 per person and children 10 and under are free.

A Pirate's Life for Me!
A Pirate's Life for Me!, the Alumni Association's half-hour radio program brings you interviews with alumni doing great things in their careers and/or their communities. We'll also keep you updated on alumni events and how to stay involved with East Carolina. Join us each Saturday at 10:00 a.m. EST on Pirate Radio 1250 & 930 AM or online at PirateRadio1250.com. This month's guests include:
Freeboot Friday Returns to Uptown Greenville 
Bring your family to Uptown Greenville for Freeboot Friday! Beginning September 5, this free, live-music event takes place on the eve of the first four ECU home football games from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Be sure to stop by the Alumni Association booth to say "hello" and make your tax-deductible membership contribution.

Located at 4th & Cotanche in Uptown Greenville
  • September 5: Three Dry Fish and 5th Generation
  • September 26: Old Man Whickutt and Clumsy Lovers
Located at 5th & Evans Street in Uptown Greenville
  • October 17: See You Tuesday and Blount Harvey
  • November 7: Barefoot Wade and Last November
Visit Uptown Greenville online or at their office located at 301 S Evans Street, Suite 101 to learn all about the exciting things happening in Uptown Greenville!
Pirate Nation News
Dierks Bentley to play at Minges Coliseum ... [More]

Pirate billboard welcomes fans to the VT/ECU game in Charlotte ... [More]

Former Pirate LaShawn Merrit takes GOLD in Beijing ... [More]

Big class joins med school ... [More]

Students return to campus for fall semester ... [More]

ECU officials examining Chancellor's residence ... [More]

ECU names financial aid director ... [More]

Former ECU hurdler qualifies for 2008 Olympics ... [More]

Hupp named to lead dental school ... [More]
Event Photos
Upcoming Events
September 4
Pirate Career Call - Preparing Your Job Search
Teleconference
[More]

September 5
Freeboot Friday
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 6
A Pirate's Life for Me!
Featured Guest: Chad Tracy, Arizona Diamondbacks 1st baseman
[More]

September 6
SOLD OUT: Alumni Tailgate, WVU vs. ECU
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 6
6th Annual NY Metro Football Kick-off Party
New York, NY
[More]

September 6
Football Viewing Parties: WVU vs. ECU
Various Locations
[More]

September 13
A Pirate's Life for Me!
Featured Guest: Johnnie Sexton '70, '72, renowned audiologist
[More]

September 13
Away Game Tailgate: ECU vs. Tulane
New Orleans, LA
[More]

September 16
Retired Faculty Association Fall Social
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 17
East Carolina Club at Cypress Glen
Third Quarter Meeting
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 20
A Pirate's Life for Me!
Featured Guest: Marion McLawhorn '67, '88, '97, NC House Representative, 9th District
[More]

September 20
Away Game Tailgate: ECU vs. NC State
Raleigh, NC
[More]

September 26
Freeboot Friday
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 27
A Pirate's Life for Me!
Featured Guest: Chad Wolfe '01, '03, trainer for the Kinston Indians and 2008 Carolina League Trainer of the Year
[More]

September 27
SOLD OUT: Alumni Tailgate, Houston vs. ECU
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 27
Football Viewing Parties: Houston vs. ECU
Various Locations
[More]

October 2
Pirate Career Call - Making a Presentation They Will Remember
Teleconference
[More]

October 4
Northern VA and DC Metro Alumni Chapter Fall Cookout
Chantilly, VA
[More]

Jonathan Hoy ‘00



Jonathan Hoy, CPA has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Durham Regional Hospital as of August 1, 2008. A 2000 graduate of East Carolina University, Hoy was jointly awarded a bachelor's and master's of science in accounting. Hoy will lead the Finance Department, which assists with the development of the annual revenue and expense budget, long-range financial planning and capital budgets, and the overall corporate budget planning process.

“I’m excited to join the team at Durham Regional Hospital because of their reputation for delivering excellent health care in a community hospital setting,” said Hoy.

Hoy has been with Duke University Health System for seven years, most recently serving as director of finance for Duke HomeCare and Hospice.

Betty Speir ’63


 

Betty Speir is a volunteer leader of the East Carolina Club at Cypress Glen Retirement Community in Greenville, North Carolina. Speir feels the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is the enthusiasm the East Carolina Club generates among members of the retirement community, as well as members of the broader community of Pirates in eastern North Carolina.

As an Alumni Association volunteer, Speir collaborates with Cypress Glen and Alumni staff to plan quarterly meetings, which include dinner and entertainment for Cypress Glen residents and their guests. The East Carolina Club hosts speakers from all areas of the university, including faculty, staff, vice chancellors and even the head football coach Skip Holtz. The East Carolina Club, which Betty started with fellow alumna Katheryn Lewis, is in its third year.

Speir has previously served the university by volunteering on the Board of Trustees and the Board of Visitors, the College of Education Advancement Council, and both Friends of Music and Friends of the Library.

Would you like to be an Alumni Association volunteer? Contact Kendra Alexander at 800-ECU-GRAD for details.