ECSU Magazine 2.1.pmd - Elizabeth City State University

“Community explores ECSUExceptional things areoccurring at Elizabeth City”Chancellor Mickey L. BurnimState University everyday.In April 2003, Elizabeth City State University hosted anevent, designed to create and promote promising partnershipsamong the university, businesses, and individuals located inthe surrounding 21 counties the school serves. Named ExploreECSU, the occasion was sponsored by Sprint and coordinatedin conjunction with the local chambers of commerce.The expo showcased the academic, cultural and artisticprograms ECSU offers, as well as research and development,campus growth, and community outreach projects conductedat the university. Attendees had the opportunity to view over20 exhibits that described and illustrated all facets of life at theuniversity. Chancellor Mickey L. Burnim and Provost and ViceChancellor Carolyn R. Mahoney addressed those inattendance as did two current Viking students who spokeabout what the university meant to them and their experiencesat ECSU. Afterwards, tours of the campus were offered.When asked about the motivation behind undertaking suchan event, Chancellor Mickey L. Burnim stated, “Exceptionalthings are occurring at Elizabeth City State Universityeveryday. The school is much more than a hidden gem. ECSUoffers a multitude of opportunities and services to the citizen’sof northeastern North Carolina. Everyone at the university isproud of their work here and wants to keep the publicinformed regarding accomplishments achieved at ECSU or byits students and faculty.”Explore ECSU was the beginning of a more intensive effortto involve local communities in ECSU’s growth anddevelopment. A committee of 15 area residents helped plan theevent, secure sponsorships and encouraged their friends andneighbors to support the university with both their financialand volunteer resources. The members of the committee werealso provided support and made pledges totaling $12,500 tobenefit the school’s general scholarship fund.The ECSU Institutional Advancement staff plan to make theaffair an annual event and are already preparing for next year.They also plan to hold an additional event in the fall tocapitalize on the enthusiasm created by the Explore ECSU event.32 ECSU MAGAZINE FALL 2003