A large group of people stands together on a grassy lawn in front of a white, domed gazebo surrounded by tall trees. The group is dressed in formal and semi-formal attire, arranged in rows for a group photo. A brick pathway leads to the gazebo, and campus buildings are partially visible in the background.

ECU Honors College celebrates 15 years

Published Jan 30, 2026 by
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Students enrolled in the first Honors College class would barely recognize the college as it is today. Celebrating 15 years of operation since its inception in 2010, the college has seen myriad changes, including growing from admitting 100 students to 250 every fall and the EC Scholars program being named the Brinkley-Lane Scholars program.

“Being a Brinkley-Lane Scholar has meant everything to me,” says freshman Drew Crumpler. “As an out-of-state student, I was so worried about not knowing anyone and struggling to make friends, but as soon as I arrived on campus, I could see that I had a family and support network that truly cared.”

The college has also fostered leadership, from the creation of the Honors College Student Council in 2017 to four additional groups today — the Brinkley-Lane Scholars Roundtable, Makers Art Residency, Honors Ambassadors and CREWS Mentors.

“Being able to serve such a dynamic and eager community is such a privilege, and I look forward to connecting with new students every day,” says Skylar Thurston, a communication major and president of the Honors College Student Council.

Students are also able to get involved in more opportunities, including travel experiences funded by the college for research presentations, study abroad and experiential learning.

The program has fully enmeshed itself into the ECU community over the last 15 years with Honors College students winning the Aman Pirate Challenge and creating campuswide initiatives such as Pirate Swap.

One thing has remained the same: the dedication to student success.

“Our donors are a driving force behind everything we do,” says Todd Fraley, Honors College dean. “Their generosity transforms possibility into reality by opening doors for our students to explore research, leadership and high-impact experiences that truly define the ECU educational journey.”