Donor support burns brightly during Pirate Nation Gives

More than 2,300 alumni, friends and students supported East Carolina University during Pirate Nation Gives on March 5.

Student success was the priority of the ninth annual day of giving event. Participation by students and bold support for student programs led to $10 million in contributions for scholarships, health care initiatives, athletics, and faculty and program support. More than 600 donors answered the call to support ECU for the first time.

More than 60 donors invested in the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative, creating new scholarships that will aid in enrolling prospective Pirates from North Carolina. Chancellor Philip and Rebekah Rogers ’07 ’10 established the Drs. Philip and Rebekah Rogers Chancellor’s Scholar Endowment to provide two Chancellor’s Scholarships at ECU.

“We deeply believe in the transformative power of the Chancellor’s Scholars Initiative and the difference scholarships make in the lives of the students that we serve,” Chancellor Rogers said. “Scholarship programs like this one are essential to our mission and demonstrate our commitment to providing an affordable and accessible education to ECU students.”

Staff and faculty on the Health Sciences Campus added layers of energy and fun to the day beginning with a first-time Pirate Nation Gives kickoff breakfast hosted by the ECU Health Foundation. Dean Bim Akintade engaged support for the College of Nursing by accepting a cake to the face after 100 donors made a Pirate Nation Gives gift.

Students accounted for 28% of the day’s donors. Hundreds visited tables at campus student centers to share social media posts, snap up philanthropy cords, thank donors and support the cause.

Notable gifts this year include the following:

• Jim Harris, in memory of his wife, Selba Harris ’64, and Joanne ’76 and Jack Faer, whose $77,000 challenge celebrated 65 years of nursing at ECU.
• Burney ’67 and Judy ’65 Rivenbark, who gave $50,000 toward College of Business scholarships.
• David E. McCracken, who gave $15,000 to support the ECU Smiles for Veterans Patient Care Fund in the School of Dental Medicine.
• Harvey S. Wooten, Mitchell Hunt, Carlos Ochoa and Victoria McGowen, who gave $10,000 to support the Harriot College Military and Veterans Scholarship.
• A challenge gift from Anonymous Trust, which will provide $300,000 for the Healthier Lives for Children and Beyond program at the Brody School of Medicine when the program raises $300,000.
• Honors College parent Lea Ann Nichols, who gave $5,000 to the Honors College Priority Fund for study abroad and high-impact experiences.
• Lt. Col. Bill ’82 and Nancy Miller, whose $25,000 gift to the Military and Veteran Mental Health Priority Fund is dedicated to supporting fostering a campus environment that prioritizes mental health, wellness and safety.
• A Friends of Joyner Library challenge gift from an anonymous donor, which will provide $10,000 to the Joyner Library Dean Fund for Excellence.