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Congratulations to our 2009 Alumni Award recipients
Each year the Alumni Association proudly recognizes alumni and friends of the University with prestigious awards in appreciation for their arduous work in their professions, influence in their communities, and/or dedication to the University. We are honored to recognize the following individuals with 2009 Alumni Awards:

Outstanding Alumni Award Recipients
  • Bruce A. Biggs '66, owner and president of Biggs Pontiac Buick Cadillac GMC Truck in Elizabeth City, NC and former chairman of the North Carolina Automobile Dealers Association
  • Maj. Gen. William L. Holland '75, commander, 9th Air Force, Air Combat Command, Shaw Air Force Base, SC
  • Dr. Garrie W. Moore '85, vice chancellor for student affairs, City University of New York and former vice chancellor for student affairs, East Carolina University
  • Dr. Jerry M. Wallace '56, president, Campbell University
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Honorary Alumni Award Recipients
  • Steve P. Keen, founder of Adam's Auto Wash, owner of Adair LLC and Atlantic Coast Deliveries, Pirates Supporting Pirates advocate
  • Dr. Jesse R. Peel, retired physician for the Center for Psychiatry of Atlanta, Ga., instrumental in creating a number of ECU's diversity councils and professorships

Please join us on Friday, October 16 at the Hilton Greenville for our annual Awards Dinner and Ceremony presented by Tobacco Road Cellars. Cocktail reception begins at 6:00 p.m. and the Awards Dinner and Ceremony follows at 7:00 p.m. Please call the Alumni Center by October 9 at 800-ECU-GRAD to make reservations to attend.

Alumni Award nominations are accepted year-round. Do you know someone who deserves recognition from East Carolina? Nominate someone today.




Bid at the Pirate's Bounty Scholarship Auction
And the winner is...

You could win a bounty at this year's Pirate's Bounty Scholarship Auction, presented by Tobacco Road Cellars. With  132 silent and 20 live auction items, there's something for everyone at this annual scholarship fundraiser. Bid on everything from vacation packages, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind artwork to sports memorabilia, Pirates merchandise, and items for the office and home. A special addition to this year's auction is Greenville's Painted Pirate Statues--a must have for art lovers and Pirates fans alike.


Tickets are on sale now for $20 per person. Register by calling 800-ECU-GRAD or 252-328-6072. (Playing in our golf tournament the following day? You'll receive a complimentary ticket to the auction.)


Play in the ECU Alumni Scholarship Classic


It's time for the annual ECU Alumni Scholarship Classic, presented by the Hilton Greenville, on Friday, September 25. Play a round for student scholarships while enjoying camaraderie with your fellow alumni and ECU supporters at Ironwood Golf & Country Club.

Flight times are offered at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., along with breakfast from The Fresh Market, lunch from O'Charley's, snacks and Pirate beverages from ECU Vending, Minges Bottling Group, and RA Jeffreys while you play, and the 19th Hole Reception provided by Ironwood following a day on the links. Prizes from Dowdy Student Stores, Bob Barbour Honda, and Overton's will be given for lowest team score for both rounds, hole-in-one prizes on all par 3 holes, longest drive, closest-to-the-pin, and even "best dressed." Trophies will be awarded at the 19th Hole Reception. Special thanks to Occasions Party and Tent Rentals and WITN for their support of our golf tournament.

Register today by calling 800-ECU-GRAD or 252-328-6072. Help us support ECU student scholarships!


Join us for Alumni Tailgate


Football season is here and that means Alumni Tailgate, presented by ARAMARK, Liberty Mutual, and WITN. Leave your grill at home and join us for our family-friendly tailgate two and 1/2 hours prior to each home football game.

We'll offer tailgating favorites from ARAMARK, Chico's, O'Charley's, Rep Express, Tripp's, and Uncle Yammy's Rib Shack as well as goodies in the ECB Sweet Zone and plenty of Pirate beverages from Minges Bottling Group, RA Jeffreys, and Mutual Distributing.

Alumni Tailgate features live entertainment, door prizes, and games for children.

Tickets are $10 each for Alumni Association members and $20 each for non-members. Children 12 and under are free. Call 800-ECU-GRAD or 252-328-6072 to get your tickets before we're sold out!

Be sure to join the Alumni Association and Pirate Club as we take Alumni Tailgate on the road to UNC-CH on September 19 and SMU on October 10.


Have fun at Football Kick-off and Viewing Parties
With the excitement of football comes the fun of football viewing parties in cities across the Pirate Nation. If you're not able to make it to the game, join fellow alumni and Pirates fans at local restaurants and sports bars to cheer on the Gridiron Pirates. Football viewing parties will be held for select games in the following cities this season:
The New York Metro Alumni Chapter will also host its annual football kick-off party on September 19 when ECU plays the North Carolina Tarheels. If you live in the New York Metro area, be sure to attend.

It's time to tune in--the game is on!


Reminisce at the ECU Ambassador Reunion
The ECU Ambassadors have been serving East Carolina University and the surrounding community for 30 years. If you were a member of this prestigious student organization, then make plans to attend the ECU Ambassadors 30th Anniversary Reunion September 24-26 in Greenville. Activities include the Pirate's Bounty Scholarship Auction, ECU Alumni Scholarship Classic, a Social at Ham's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Alumni Tailgate, Pirates Football, and an All-Ambassador After Party at the home of former Ambassadors Derek '98 and Heather '97 Stepp. Register today!


It's Time for Homecoming & Reunions
Next month will mark East Carolina University's annual Homecoming: 100 Years of Treasured Traditions. The Alumni Association would like to invite you back to your alma mater to reminisce with old friends and rekindle the feeling of college days.

A number of activities are planned throughout the weekend including 10 Years After the Flood: A Reflective Conversation, Homecoming Luncheon, tours of campus, Classroom Experiences, the Alumni Awards Dinner and Ceremony, Alumni Breakfast, the traditional Homecoming Parade, Alumni Tailgate, Pirates Football, and reunions. This year five groups will get together for reunions: Black Alumni, the Class of 1984, the College of Allied Health Scienes Alumni, The Collegians, and ECTC & ECC honoring the Golden Alumni Class of 1959.

Homecoming will be here before you know it. Register today!




Enjoy Deans on Deck
Deans on Deck is a series offered by the Alumni Association to foster communication and knowledge sharing between the University's deans and alumni and friends of our colleges and schools. The Alumni Association is happy to host many of our deans at Deans on Deck events this fall in North Carolina and Virginia. Be sure to join us at one of the following cities:
  • Winston-Salem, NC on September 30 with Dr. Paul Cunningham, dean and senior associate vice chancellor for medical affairs at the Brody School of Medicine and Dr. Rick Niswander, dean of the College of Business
  • Cary, NC on October 7 with Dr. Jeff Elwell, dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication and Dr. Linda Patriarca, dean of the College of Education
Deans on Deck is $10 per person for Alumni Association members and $15 per person for non-members, which includes heavy hors d'oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages. Dress is business casual. Additional Deans on Deck events are being planned now. Look for one near you soon. Don't miss Deans on Deck!


Start Your Day with a Networking Breakfast


Career experts tell us that networking is the best way to move ahead in your career and make the essential business and social connections that are so important in today's competitive job market. The Alumni Association is thrilled to offer a convenient way for you to network with fellow alumni and ECU friends and make your mark among some of ECU's prestigious alumni.

Join us on Wednesday, September 30 for a Networking Breakfast in Raleigh, NC or October 8 for a Networking Breakfast in Charlotte, NC.

Networking Breakfasts are $5 per person for Alumni Association members and $10 per person for non-members. Look for other Networking Breakfasts throughout North Carolina later this fall.


We value our volunteers
It is through the hard work and dedication of our volunteers throughout the Pirate Nation that the Alumni Association is able to bring quality programs and engaging activities to our scores of alumni. Take a look what our regional contacts have helped plan this summer:
"Thank you" to the many volunteers who have made these events possible!

Would you like to become a regional contact for the Alumni Association? Contact Kendra Alexander at 800-ECU-GRAD or 252-328-1958 today!


Listen to A Pirate's Life for Me!
A Pirate's Life for Me! is back with another terrific season of alumni interviews and news from the Alumni Association. Tune in every Friday at 6:00 p.m. in eastern North Carolina on Pirate Radio 1250 & 930 AM. Listen live online at www.PirateRadio1250.com and if you ever miss a show you can listen to our archives at PirateAlumni.com/apirateslifeforme. This month's guests include:
  • September 4: Jewelle Rogers, 2009 Distinguished Service Award recipient
  • September 11: Maj. Gen. William Holland '75, Commander, 9th Air Force
  • September 18: Scott Avett '99, '00, musician and co-founder of The Avett Brothers
  • September 25: Melissa Burke '01, singer


Get ahead with Pirate Career Calls
Pirate Career Calls are an easy way for East Carolina alumni and friends to get the latest information on how to succeed and advance in their careers. A collaborative effort between the Alumni Association, ECU's Career Center, and the University's Human Resources department, Pirate Career Calls are complimentary teleconference calls conducted the first Thursday of each month. Calls take place at 12 noon EST and include a power point presentation, tips from career professionals, and an opportunity to ask questions and interact with other call participants. Don't miss this month's Pirate Career Call:
October's Pirate Career Call:


Celebrate your ECU legacy
On September 26 the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center will celebrate the many generations of ECU alumni within families. Celebrate Your Legacy, a new special event that includes an inaugural Legacy Continental Breakfast and photo will take place during East Carolina's Family Weekend. The Legacy Photo will honor children, parents, and grandparents who have graduated from or are currently attending East Carolina. Click here for more information and to register.


ECU's Women's Roundtable
The Women's Roundtable at East Carolina acknowledges the contribution of women to East Carolina University's legacy and encourages new levels of commitment by women to the University's future. Through its nearly 70,000 women graduates in all walks of life, East Carolina has a tremendous impact on communities across the region, state, and beyond. The Women's Roundtable is focusing its efforts on raising funds for ECU's Access Scholarship program; building a strong volunteer base of women committed to advancing the University; and forming a deeper pool of women to be considered for other leadership roles at ECU.

There are several levels of affiliation available--even a category for alumni who have graduated from ECU within the past five years. Please visit our Web site or contact Marcy Romary, senior major gifts officer and director of Women's Philanthropy at romarym@ecu.edu or 252-328-9580. Checkout The Women's Roundtable today!



See what's new at UBE
Arrrgh you ready for football? It's that time again and UBE Piratewear.com has everything a true fan needs.

UBE has the largest selection of East Carolina merchandise in the world. Shop through tons of new apparel from Underarmour, Nike, Cutter & Buck, and Russel Athletic just to name a few. (Shipments arrive daily.) Come check out our newly remodeled kids section. We've expanded over the summer to provide your lil' Pirates with everything they need to show their ECU spirit.

And don't forget about the new "Upper Deck" featuring a wide selection of tailgating accessories. We've got everything from tents to table mints.

All this and more at the best price around. A Pirates fan's one stop shop.



Pirate Alumni on Twitter
Check out the latest top "Tweets" from your Alumni Association:


New ECU screensaver for Macs and PCs features Pirates Sports, ECU Features, ECU News, and ECU Events ... [More]

Baseball player Kyle Roller makes Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" ... [More]

Linda McMahon '69 said to be "seriously considering" a run for Senate ... [More]

Two ECU graduates to step into top leadership roles at Southern Bank ... [More]

Brody welcomes Class of 2013, the largest in school history ... [More]

On January 30 a fire destroyed part of their house. On Friday, Sigma Phi Epsilon moves into their new house ... [More]

Upcoming Events
September 3
Pirate Career Call - Keys to Success at Job and Career Fairs
Via teleconference
[More]

September 4
Freeboot Friday
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 4
A Pirate's Life for Me!
Featured guest: Jewelle Rogers '56, 2009 Distinguished Service Award recipient
[More]

September 5
Alumni Tailgate - Appalachian State
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 11
A Pirate's Life for Me!
Featured guest: Maj. Gen. William Holland '75, 2009 Outstanding Alumni Award recipient and Commander, 9th Air Force, Air Combat Command
[More]

September 18
A Pirate's Life for Me!
Featured guest: Scott Avett '99, '00, musician and co-founder of The Avett Brothers
[More]

September 19
Away Game Alumni Tailgate - UNC-CH
Chapel Hill, NC
[More]

September 19
NY Metro 7th Annual Football Kick-off Party
New York, NY
[More]

September 24-26
ECU Ambassadors Reunion - Celebrating 30 Years
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 24
Pirate's Bounty Scholarship Auction
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 25
ECU Alumni Scholarship Classic
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 25
Freeboot Friday
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 25
A Pirate's Life for Me!
Featured guest: Melissa Burke '01, singer
[More]

September 26
Celebrate Your Legacy
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 26
Alumni Tailgate - Central Florida
Greenville, NC
[More]

September 30
Networking Breakfast
Raleigh, NC
[More]

September 30
Deans on Deck
Winston-Salem, NC
[More]

October 1
Pirate Career Call - 4 New Ways to Job Hunt
Via teleconference
[More]


Theresa P. Pierce '79



Theresa P. Pierce '79 was recently selected as the 2009 North Carolina Gilder Lehrman Preserve American History Teacher of the Year. Pierce was chosen because of her love of history and her creative "out of the box" teaching methods. "Focusing on the learner when I teach makes it meaningful to them," said Pierce. "It will lead them to a better appreciation for the past. Taking field trips, handling artifacts, and acting out history makes history relevant." Pierce received a $1,000 honorarium for the award. Her school system also received a core archive of history books and materials from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History for its district library.

A history specialist at Horizons Unlimited in the Rowan-Salisbury School System, Pierce is a National Board Certified Teacher. At Horizons, she is responsible for creating partnerships with the NC Transportation Museum, Rowan History Museum, Catawba College, and the Rowan County History Club to create outreach programs for students to visit and learn on-site at historical locations in the community.

Information from SalisburyPost.com



Lt. Col. Vince Smith '84



Lt. Col. Vince Smith '84 is a dedicated volunteer for the Alumni Association and the University. A member of ECU's Foundation Board of Directors, Smith is also active with the DC Metro Alumni Chapter and DC Pirate Club. He recently assisted the Alumni Association with our DC Metro Freshmen Sendoff to welcome incoming students to the Pirate Nation. Smith regularly attends alumni events in the DC area, including football viewing parties, alumni chapter get-togethers, and holiday parties.

Smith is the Deputy Chief of the Senate Liaison Division, Office of Legislative Liaison for the Secretary of the United States Air Force. This office is the Air Force's single point of contact for responding to requests of the 100 US Senators and their staffs, as well as key Senate committees. Smith responds to senators on Air Force positions developed with senior officials within Air Staff.

Smith is also the proud parent of a current ECU student Kindal Smith.

Would you like to volunteer for the Alumni Association? Contact Kendra Alexander at 800-ECU-GRAD or 252-328-1958.