The ECSU Foundation Founders Day Scholarship Gala successfully raises $121,191
Kesha Williams
March 28, 2011
The ECSU Foundation’s Founders Day Scholarship Gala successfully raised $121,191. Organizers report over 300 people attended the event held March 12, 2011, at the K. E. White Graduate and Continuing Education Center.
The gala also recognized honorees for their contributions in the categories such as government/military, community service, the arts, faith/community, sports, and business. Family members, colleagues, former classmates and friends of the award recipients attended the event to hear the honorees’ responses. Their stories were motivational accounts for the current students in attendance. William Smith, vice chancellor for Institutional Advancement was pleased that the university’s supporters gave so graciously to a cause –public higher education–that impacts every segment of society.
"The Foundation’s Founders Day Scholarship Gala is a time in which we honor and recognize individuals for their service. It is also the forum we use to raise needed dollars for scholarships for ECSU students," Smith said. "I am so proud of alumni, the Elizabeth City business community, faculty, staff and friends for the way they&nbspsupported&nbsp Founders Scholarship Gala IV, "
The Master of Ceremonies for the event was WAVY-TV news anchor Don Roberts. Nnenna Freelon, a world renowned jazz singer, composer, producer, arranger and six-time Grammy Award-nominee performed for this black tie event.
A list of honorees appears below:
Faith Based Community:
The Rev. Vonner G. Horton, senior pastor of Oxley Hill Missionary Baptist Church Horton and a member of the ECSU Board of Trustees
Government/Military:
Col. Thurinton W. Harvell, Sr., a 1988 alumnus
United States Army
Community Service:
Mrs. Edna Gray Randolph, a 1945 alumna
Trustee Emerita, ECSU Board of Trustees
Trailblazer for ECSU National Alumni Association, Retired Educator
Community Service:
Mr. Philip R. Johnson, Regional Manager
Pepsi Bottling Ventures, LLC
Community Service:
Mr. Danny and Mrs. Carol Flowers
Business Owners, Flowers Printing
Education/The Arts:
Dr. Roger Hathaway, a 1973 alumnus
Director, Office of Education
NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
Sports/Entertainment:
Mr. Leonard Carmichael, a 1972 alumnus
Member, ECSU 1969 CIAA Championship Basketball Team Retired Educator
Business/Industry:
Mr. Matthew Lewis, Jr., a 1964 alumnus
Retired Executive, Verizon
Philanthropist
Executive Director, Geraldine Wright Lewis Memorial Scholarship Fund