THANK YOU, HOMECOMING SPONSORS AND PARTNERS Visit our Partner Businesses while you’re in town. Arts of the Albemarle Cardi Center Cross Homespun Goods Champion Kutz Comfort Inn Created By Him Entrusted By You Designs Dockside Dollar Fitness EC Photo Booth ECSU Campus Store Elizabeth City Downtown Inc. Elizabeth City/Pasquotank Co. Parks and Recreation Eyecare Center Firehouse Subs Footprint Christian Resources Hampton Inn Honey & Hive In Stitches-Gifts & Embroidery Island Breeze Grill Mama Tee’s Montero’s Restaurant Museum of the Albemarle Gift Shop Page After Page Bookstore Port Discover River City Community Development Corporation Sidney’s Café & Bistro Southern Insurance Agency- A Towne Insurance Agency Southgate Mall The Framery Tutor All Inc. See page 26 for discounts offered by our Homecoming Business Partners YOUR EVENT GUIDE Powered by Elizabeth City State University 2 WWW.ECSUHOMECOMING.COM 2015 VIKING HOMECOMING Chancellor Dr. Stacey Franklin Jones Managing Editor Rhonda M. Hayes Photography/Videography Kesha Williams One 12 Images-Varick Taylor ECSU Radio and TV Services VIKING PRIDE The ECSU Homecoming Guide @THE “E” is published by the Homecoming Committee FREE │YOUR OFFICIAl HOMECOMING GUIDE Tel: 252.335.3594 | Fax: 252.335.3769 www.ecsuhomecoming.com Email: infoecsuhomecoming.com WWW.ECSUHOMECOMING.COM 3 October 11, 2015 Greetings ECSU Alumni and Friends, Welcome to Homecoming 2015 – Viking Pride @ the “E”! This year we want to showcase our Viking pride with enhanced vigor and spirit. Just over a month ago, we welcomed a cohort of energetic and spirited freshmen - the Class of 2019. As you know from your own time on our illustrious campus, these are the formative years for our students. Every moment, interaction, and conversation can make a lasting impression on their ECSU experience. Faculty members are imparting knowledge in the classroom, peers are building lasting friendships, and staff is working to ensure a well–rounded student experience. But, it is you, our alumni, whose Viking pride and generous spirit exemplify what it means to be an ECSU graduate. Vikings, I am proud of the great strides we’ve made during our first year on our Path to Prominence. Our campus is lined with new flags highlighting our ECSU pride, our new cohort enrollment has increased, and our academic initiatives are helping us to reach our goal of becoming North Carolina’s premier interdisciplinary science university. In fact, for the fourth consecutive year, we were ranked first on Washington Monthly’s list of ‘Best Baccalaureate Colleges.’ So, I look forward to welcoming you this week to celebrate our achievements together and all that is to come! Let’s make our voices heard at Roebuck Stadium to cheer our Mighty Vikings to a victory on the gridiron! Sincerely, Stacey Franklin Jones Chancellor 1 WWW.ECSUHOMECOMING.COM Chancellor's INSTALLATION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS September 8-13, 2015 WWW.ECSUHOMECOMING.COM 2 Greetings Alumni, Students, Faculty, Staff, and Friends We are so enthused that you have returned to celebrate this Homecoming with us. We hope that you enjoy all the activities planned with you in mind. This year our mission is to R.E.V.A.M.P (Restore Every Vikings Ability to Manifest Pride) ECSU, by restructuring student life to cater to the needs of students. Furthermore, influencing them to exemplify the highest form of Viking pride. We hope you enjoy your time here at the "E", and ask for your continued support. STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION 2015-2016 Pictured (left to Right): Row 1: J'Meisha Fullwood (Chair, Student Activities), Titus Lee (Mr. ECSU), Suehier Ali (Miss ECSU); Row 2: A'Janae Willis (Vice President of Internal Affairs), Dominique Ashley (Executive Secretary), Darrin Corbin (Vice President of Finance), Alanna Johnson (President), Skylah Gary (Attorney General), Sierra Gary (Vice President of External Affairs), Brittany Hartsfield (Chief of Staff). 3 WWW.ECSUHOMECOMING.COM Points of Pride Ranked among the “Best Ranked on the “100 Most Baccalaureate Colleges” Affordable Small Colleges in America”. #1for the fourth consecutive year. #1(Best Value Schools website, 2015). (Washington Monthly's 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 college issue). Ranked among “Top Public Schools-Regional Colleges in the South”. (U.S. News and World Report- Best Colleges, 2016). Between 1999 and #2 2015, ECSU repeatedly earned national acclaim in U.S. News and World Report Magazine's ranking of best colleges in the south. Ranked among the “Best Historically Ranked among the “Top 25 Best HBCU Black Colleges & Universities”. in the country”. (U.S. News and World #18 Report, 2016). #8 (College Choice, 2015). Named on 2015 Military Friendly® Schools list. ECSU is one of approximately 1,600 Military Friendly® Schools–institutions that exhibit leading practices to support military students. With 28 undergraduate and 4 graduate programs of study, ECSU offers degrees in aviation and natural sciences, business and economics, teaching and administration, visual and performing arts, mathematics and computer science, social and behavioral sciences, and other select professional and pre-professional areas. As a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System, ECSU is the most affordable academic success university in North Carolina. Our intimate class sizes afford our student body a small, yet challenging learning environment. We teach, train, and mold our students in an environment representative of today’s global economy. VISIT AND SEE FOR YOURSELF! Office of Enrollment Services │ 800.347.ECSU (3278)/252.335.3305 │ [email protected] www.ecsu.edu From the President oF the eCsU national alUmni assoCiation, inC. Viking Pride @ The“E” Greetings ECSU Alumni and Friends, On behalf of the ECSU NAA, Incorporated, I extend a hearty welcome to all alumni and friends who are visiting ECSU for a homecoming week of celebration and fun. Whether you are here for a reunion or just to participate in the festive events planned for your enjoyment, we promise there is something for everyone including the Mr. Alumni Coronation, honoring this year’s winner, Nathaniel Grant, Jr. (‘68); the Alumni Icebreaker, showcasing Ra Jazz Band, DJ Heart Attack, and Comedians Cletus Kassidy and Quincy Carr; the Saturday Night Cabaret, featuring a Dynasty Five party that will be beyond expectations. The main attraction, however, will be the gridiron battle between the Lincoln University Lions and ECSU Vikings. With Viking Pride exemplified, a Mighty Vikings victory is inevitable. We will end our activities on Sunday with a prayer breakfast, which will include the soul-stirring music of the Alumni Choir and an inspirational message that will truly lift your spirits. Don’t miss it! Enjoy the weekend! Remember to stay connected, be involved, and give back. With Viking pride, Jeanette H. Evans, ‘63 National President ~ ECSU Alumni: Living, Learning, and Leading ~ 5 WWW.ECSUHOMECOMING.COM Welcome Home Vikings! Class of 1965 Celebrating 50 Years! Class of 1975 Celebrating 40 Years! Class of 1980 Celebrating 35 Years! Class of 1995 Celebrating 20 Years! Class of 2000 Celebrating 15 Years! Homecoming is the perfect time to plan a class reunion and reconnect with ECSU and your classmates. For more information about planning a class reunion, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations, @ (252) 335-3224. JOIN THE ECSU NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION! There are many ways for alumni to connect with their alma mater through the ECSU Alumni NATIONAl OFFICERS Association and alumni chapters. We hope by January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2018 staying informed and involved, ECSU alumni Abdul Sm Rasheed ‘71 President are inspired to support our great University Barbaina Houston-Black ‘80 1st Vice President and ensure its continued excellence. Clarence Goss, Jr. ‘97 2nd Vice President Yvonne S. Walton ‘76 Recording Secretary Keith O. Richardson ’03 Corresponding Secretary Alumni Chapters: In serving our purpose, we have 33 chapters nationwide that stand ready to advise prospective BOARD OF DIRECTORS ECSU students, host fundraising events, and accept January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2018 membership applications from interested alumni and friends. Charles D. Cherry ‘63, Arkeem Fleming ‘06, Melvin Norman ‘77 Alumni Dues: Annual Dues - $30; Local Dues - Vary per chapter; Life Membership - $400 per person/$720 per married couple To connect with a local chapter, check out our website listing, www.ecsu.edu/alumni. Our local chapter WWW.ECSUHOMECOMING.COMleaders will be delighted to have you join them in their quest to provide enduring support to our alma mater. 6 homeCominG Parade Grand Marshal nathaniel Grant, Jr., Mr. Alumni 2016 Tri-County Alumni Chapter (Edgecombe, Nash, and Wilson, NC) Nathaniel Grant, Jr. known fondly to many as Nate Grant, Jr., is a true and lifelong ambassador for Elizabeth City State University (ECSU). Mr. Grant graduated from ECSU in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education. He earned a Master’s degree in Health Education at Southern Connecticut State College, as well as a Sixth Year Certificate in Supervision and Administration. Mr. Grant had a long and distinguished career as an educator. He retired after 33 years as a teacher and principal at Bunker Hill Elementary School in Waterbury, Connecticut. Throughout, he was notably involved with ECSU and its National Alumni Association. He is currently vice-chair of the alumni association board. Mr. Grant founded ECSU’s New England Alumni Chapter, where he was president until 1999. When he returned to North Carolina, he reorganized the Tri-County Alumni Chapter in Rocky Mount and has been president of that chapter since 2000. Over the years, he has often been involved in student recruitment activities for the university. Mr. Grant is also a member of the Viking Varsity Club and a generous financial supporter of ECSU athletics. Each year, he is a key participant in the planning for the Down East Viking Football Classic in Rocky Mount. Mr. Grant also enjoys his yearly role as a master chef for the Tri-County Alumni Chapter’s Annual Tailgating gathering at that event.