We Want Them to be Pirates

Scholarship programs aim to attract and retain undergraduate students

Undergraduate scholarship programs are integral to fulfilling East Carolina University’s mission priority of student success. Campus leaders say new scholarships are critical to the university’s efforts to prepare for a nationally competitive enrollment landscape. Toward that end, the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative launched in 2024 to create scholarships to strengthen recruitment and retention.

Seventy-five students entered ECU in August as the inaugural group of Chancellor’s Scholars. University leadership aims to enroll 300 highly driven students over the next four years as part of the new initiative.

“Scholarship fundraising will fuel the university’s effort to recruit and retain gifted and great students, who we want to be Pirates,” Chancellor Philip Rogers said. “This ambitious initiative allows ECU to be laser-focused on student success and bolsters our ability to recruit exceptional, qualified students from across the country.”

Dylan Livingston-Keeter of Morehead City chose ECU because of the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative.

“I was accepted into every school I applied to, and it really came down to where I could go and have the least amount of financial burden,” he said. “Thanks to programs like the Chancellor’s Scholars (Initiative), I am able to focus on becoming the best music teacher I can without worrying about my finances as much.”

The program entices in-state students to choose ECU. Qualified students are eligible to receive $10,000 in tuition and fees over four years. Chancellor’s Scholars have access to an exceptional learning experience, opportunities to engage in leadership skill building, and access to a residential community alongside their fellow scholars. Similarly, newly created Voyagers scholarships aim to recruit 20 out-of-state students to campus.

The new scholarship initiative is a point of pride shared by members of ECU’s Board of Visitors, who are charged with promoting ECU with the N.C. General Assembly, Council of State, business entities, community leaders and citizens throughout North Carolina.

“ECU needs enrollment, and offering this (scholarship) as part of acceptance is equally important as to whom we are offering them. I have two recent acceptance letters for students in our house, and it matters when a student sees a scholarship,” said Toby Thomas ’98, chair of the ECU Board of Visitors.

Thomas sees an essential correlation between student success and scholarship.

“In the short term, a scholarship eases financial pressure. More so, it tells the student they are valued and the work they have done has earned them something — a tangible reward,” he said.

The new program relies on a strategic fundraising effort to endow Chancellor’s Scholars awards. An endowed scholarship is created with a $62,500 gift. Endowments allow the scholarships to be provided in perpetuity.

Donors can also support the effort through one-time scholarship gifts of $10,000 or by supporting annual giving, which create scholarships by combining donations.

“We would not be close to being able to provide this opportunity if it weren’t for our incredible Pirates who have committed their resources to make this happen,” said Allen Guidry, associate provost for learner operations. “We have the best alumni in the world who know and are passionate about the real value of an ECU education. Their selflessness in providing the same opportunity to others is example No. 1 of what this institution is all about.”

The Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative is also designed to meet UNC System performance metrics, which directly impact state funding and help ensure the university’s long-term sustainability and growth.

“One of the key factors that prospective students are looking at is cost of attendance. This initiative allows us to make ourselves much more competitive in that space,” Guidry said. “We know we provide an exceptional learning experience for learners of a wide range of academic backgrounds and have done so for over 100 years. This scholarship initiative will introduce that extraordinary academic environment to many more new Pirate scholars.”

Maynard family gift strengthens College of Education scholarship program

James Maynard, seated right, and his daughter, Easter Maynard, seated left, are surrounded by the James and Connie Maynard Scholars during a 2023 visit to the College of Education. (Contributed photo)

A multimillion-dollar commitment from the Maynard family has enhanced the James and Connie Maynard Scholars program in the College of Education and establishes the award as one of the leading scholarships for training educators in North Carolina. The new investment increases the scholarship award from a $26,000 four-year scholarship to $40,000.

James ’65 and Connie ’62 Maynard established the Maynard Scholars program in 2006. In the 20 years since, the Maynard family and Maynard Family Foundation have funded more than 200 scholarships for students chosen as Maynard Scholars. The 2025 cohort includes 15 students, all from North Carolina.

Maynard is the co-founder of the Golden Corral Corporation and founder of Investors Management Corp., Golden Corral’s parent company.

“Connie, Easter (their daughter) and I feel there is nothing more beneficial to young people than becoming well educated. This can only happen with well-prepared, dedicated teachers,” James Maynard said.

The COE is the top producer of educators in eastern North Carolina, serving traditional and non-traditional students. Continuing to serve as the leader in educator preparation and graduating the best teachers is a message Dean André Green shares and heard clearly from Easter Maynard, director of the Maynard Family Foundation.

“Their mission, like mine, is to leave things better than they found them. They have always supported the college with scholarships, but this gift is on another level, truly investing in the future of eastern North Carolina,” Green said.

Green said the investment allows the college to offer more and larger scholarships in the program, making ECU more attractive and on par with other state institutions.

“Our goal is to raise $2 million in scholarships to help aspiring teachers enter the profession with little to no student debt,” Green said.

Scholarship awards bring top undergraduate students to ECU

Access Scholars Program

The Access Scholars program provides scholarships to students who demonstrate academic potential and financial need. Through the scholarship program, students are provided a $5,000 renewable annual scholarship to assist with tuition, fees and books. Students engage in lecture series, special dinners, experiential learning and study-abroad opportunities. Since the program began in 2006, it has provided scholarships for 378 students.

Brinkley-Lane Scholars Program

Brinkley-Lane Scholars is the most prestigious undergraduate award program offered at ECU. Recipients receive a fully funded education, covering the cost of tuition, fees, room and board for in-state and out-of-state students and unique high-impact experiences, as well as the ability to explore the world with a $5,000 study-abroad stipend. Scholars benefit from access to an array of leadership opportunities, research with award-winning faculty and a robust alumni network.

Life-changing journey

Dionna Manning, executive director of student engagement, student success, scholarship and development in the COE, leads the Maynard program and is a witness to the educational journey of each scholar.

“Watching these college students grow in confidence, leadership and professionalism throughout our program is truly amazing,” Manning said. “The Maynards’ unwavering and continued support of this program inspires me to pour into these students and create opportunities they may have never imagined possible.”

Through the Maynard program, freshman Maynard Scholar Zacchaeus Jones, of Kinston is following his passion to become a middle school math or science teacher.

“Beyond the financial help, the Maynard Scholarship is an investment in my future as a middle grades mathematics teacher,” Jones said. “It empowers me to give back by returning to my hometown to teach, where qualified teachers are needed most. It also means I have a strong support system at ECU. Knowing I’m not doing this journey alone makes a huge difference.”

– Kristen Martin contributed to this story.