Alumni News

Enjoy a Freshmen Sendoff Summer Outing
All incoming freshmen are encouraged to attend a Freshmen Sendoff in their area. A number of these outings will be held over the summer months and are perfect opportunities for members of the Class of 2015 to get to know one another before they set sail to campus in the fall. Alumni are welcome to attend.  [More]


Speed Networking Events in Your Area
Need a boost to your professional and social networks? Then attend a speed networking event in your area. Meet fellow Pirate professionals and make the business and social connections that are so important in today's economy. It's like speed dating without the romantic connection. [More]





ECU Now Offers a Lifelong Learning Program
East Carolina alumni and friends age 50+ are encouraged to participate in the University's newly launched Lifelong Learning Program. There are no admission requirements, no grades, and no exams; just fun, educational opportunities with others that love learning. It's not too late to register for the Bentonville Battleground excursion. [More]


Alumni Tailgate Tickets Go on Sale for Members July 11
Join the Alumni Association's family-friendly Alumni Tailgate before each home football game this fall. Participants will enjoy food from local restaurants and the University caterer, Pirate beverages, games for children, live music, and great door prizes. Alumni Tailgate tickets go on sale for Alumni Association members Monday, July 11. Call 800-ECU-GRAD to register.


Cheer for the Pirates at a Viewing Party
If you can't make it back to Greenville to watch the Gridiron Pirates play, then join other alumni and fans at a viewing party in your area! Viewing Parties are held at local restaurants and favorite watering holes and are open to anyone who wants to cheer the Pirates on to victory. If you'd like to host a Viewing Party in your area, please contact Director of Alumni Programs Tanya L. Kern '02 to get started.


Nominate Someone for an Alumni Award
Each fall the Alumni Association recognizes accomplished alumni and friends with Outstanding Alumni, Distinguished Service, and Honorary Alumni awards. We need your help to identify nominees for 2012! Do you know a Pirate or a loyal ECU supporter who deserves this prestigious recognition? Nominate them today. [More]


Where Can a Pirate Voyage take You?
Like a jewel box fashioned by Fabergé, St. Petersburg is a masterpiece of design and ingenuity, a magical tapestry of vibrant colors framed by sparkling water. Join fellow Pirates for this magical Pirate Voyage to one of the world's most storied and magnificent cities. Pirate Voyages are offered in partnership with Go Next and AHI Travel. [More]





Safety Around the Pool from Liberty Mutual
Did you know that year nearly 300 children younger than five drown in swimming pools every year? Your greatest assurance for water safety is adopting and practicing as many safety measures as possible for your pool and the area around it. Even one can make a difference—and save a life. [More]

Spotlights

Alumni Spotlight
E.T. "Tommy" Townsend '64 recently received a unique 90th birthday present when he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's recognition for extraordinary public service given by the Governor. An Air Force veteran of World War II and Korea, Townsend is a retired teacher who was honored for his work in veterans' affairs and education. He is the longtime head of the New Hanover County Veterans Council and past president of the NC Veterans' Council. Townsend helped obtain a veterans' services officer for the county. He was also a founding board member and longtime treasurer of the Cape Fear Literacy Council.

Townsend attend East Carolina for one year and earned a master's degree in history. Prior to enrolling at the University, Townsend joined the National Guard in 1940 and transferred to the Army Air Corps in 1942. He retired from the Air Force in 1963. Townsend has two children, five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Volunteer Spotlight
Since 2004, Garry Dudley '92 has been an important part of the Alumni Association. As an elected member of the Board of Directors, Dudley served as secretary and on the Awards and Scholarship committees. June 30 marks the end of Dudley's eight years of service."Serving ECU in any way I could kept me in touch with campus activities and visiting alumni that I had known for years. Knowing I had a voice for the 130,000 other alumni across the country was important to me," said Dudley. "It's a way to give back to a school that means so much to me and my family, and will, hopefully, encourage my own children to consider ECU as their college."

Dudley is an executive disease focus representative with Merck & Co. based in Chesterfiled, Virginia. He has held a management position with the company and also covered all of eastern North Carolina in his territory. Dudley and his wife Monica '94, '96 have two daughters and visit ECU as often as possible. They are life members of the Alumni Association, members of the Old Austin Society, and Pirate Club members.

Top Tweets

The Pirate Nation mourns the loss of Edgar Loessin ... [More]

Alumni Association scholar Sarah Kinsley selected for Moldin scholarship in biology and chemistry ... [More]

New Children's Hospital at PCMH to be named for James '65 and Connie '62 Maynard ... [More]

David Garrard '01 to host Celebrity Golf Classic in Greenville on June 26-27 to benefit Beau's Buddies Cancer Fund ... [More]

Looking to get a few holes of golf in this weekend? Save up to 70% here ... [More]

Alumni Events

June 2-13
Pirate Voyage: Mediterranean Inspiration
[More]

June 8
Speed Networking Breakfast
Virginia Beach, VA
[More]

June 9
Speed Networking Evening
Washington, DC
[More]

June 11
Lifelong Learning Program
Bentonville Battleground
[More]

June 22
Speed Networking Breakfast
Wilmington, NC
[More]

June 24
ECU Night at the Durham Bulls
Durham, NC
[More]

June 26
Freshmen Sendoff
Norfolk, VA
[More]

June 27
Freshmen Sendoff
Richmond, VA area
[More]

June 30
Freshmen Sendoff
Beaufort, NC
[More]

All Upcoming Events

Save the Dates

Alumni Tailgate tickets on sale to Alumni Association members
July 11, 2011

Pirate's Bounty Scholarship Auction
September 29, 2011

ECU Alumni Scholarship Classic golf tournament
September 30, 2011

Homecoming
October 28-29, 2011

This Month's Poll

Who is your favorite ECU celebrity?

• Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers
• Sandra Bullock
• Beth Grant
• Emily Procter
• Vince McMahon

Click here to vote!

Last month's results:

What is your favorite East Carolina tradition?

• Barefoot on the Mall - 26%
• Halloween Festivities - 17%
• Polar Bear Plunge - 2%
• Watching ECU Athletics - 55%

YouTube

ECU researches are deep into the excavation of what most believe is the pirate Blackbeard’s famed Queen Anne’s Revenge. Watch now.

Photos

The Class of 2011 celebrated their East Carolina graduation. See all commencement photos and other event photos in our photo gallery.

A Pirate's Life for Me!

WITN award-winning anchor and reporter Lynnette Taylor ’97 talks about life in front of the camera and shares what tickles her funny bone. Listen now.