Circles, Courts, Drives, Plazas & Ways

Alleys
Circles
Courts
Drives
Gateways
Lanes
Plazas
Walks
Ways
Early Proposals
Campus Map

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Alleys

Blackbeard's Alley

In recognition of the symbolism of Blackbeard's legend in eastern North Carolina and the Pirate tradition at East Carolina University.

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Circles

Alumni Circle

To honor all alumni. Portions demolished during construction of Joyner Library Addition and Cupola. The name is no longer used. Active section north of Flanagan now known as Alumni Lane and section east of Old Cafeteria now known as Cupola Court.

Wright Circle

The circle in front of Wright Building was named in honor of M.L. Wright, an early faculty member of the Sociology department. Wright was also a naturalist and initiated many of the plantings on the campus. During the turmoil over the Meadows indictment, he was dismissed by the Board of Trustees for allegedly not supporting the administration. He appealed to the AAUP but, before the investigation could be completed, M.L. Wright died of a heart attack. In 1951 a plaque was placed in front of the fountain in Wright Circle in his memory.

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Courts

Chamberlain-Pigford Court

Named for Gertrude Chamberlain and Virginia Pigford who simultaneously received the first bachelor degree awarded by ECTC in 1922. Demolished with construction of West End Dining Hall. Name no longer used.

Duncan Court

In honor of Fitzhugh Duncan, ECU Business Manager (1936-1970) and Vice President (1960-1978).

Cupola Court

Named for the Old Austin Building cupola replica in the mall.

Curry Court

In honor of Thomas Edward Curry Jr. recepient of the first Ph.D. degree awarded by ECU in 1983.

Leary Court

To honor Laura Marie Leary, first black student and graduate of ECU. She received a BS in 1966.

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Drives

Beckwith Drive

To honor Kate Beckwith, first dean of women (1909-1925) as well as the Principal of the Training School.

Busbee Drive

Named for Jacques and Juliana Busbee, early patrons of ECU and North Carolina artists of national repute. They revived North Carolina pottery making at their Jug Town studio which they donated to ECU. Jacques Busbee contributed to ECU's folk art program, painted portraits of the university founders, and helped with early landscaping of the campus. This road was demolished during the expansion of Rivers Building. The name is no longer used.

College Hill Drive

Named for College Hill section of campus.

Dixon Drive

In honor of Benjamin Franklin Dixon, state auditor and member of the North Carolina Board of Education who cast the tie breaking vote to locate ECU in Greenville. In a jovial tongue-in-cheek interview, Dixon promised to vote for Greenville if the town would name a street for him. Daily Reflector, June 22, 1907.

Ficklen Drive

Named for James Skinner Ficklen who established the Ficklen Foundation which granted scholarships to many ECU students.

Founders Drive

To honor, in general, all those involved with the establishment of the university, and in particular, the eight towns in eastern North Carolina who also competed for having East Carolina University. Original route altered by Science & Technology Building construction.

Library Drive

Originally 9th Street, it was deeded to the university during construction of Joyner Library and the Student Recreation Center.

Oglesby Drive

Named for Henry Oglesby, first man to graduate from ECTC in 1932. He also served as a trustee from 1959 to 1967.

Student Plaza Drive

To honor all ECU students and their favorite campus gathering place. A portion was demolished when Wright Place was constructed. The sections south of Messick and north of Austin are still active.

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Gateways

Beaman Gateway

Gateway in front of Garrett Dormitory. It is dedicated to the memory of Mittie Beaman who was supervisor of the Infirmary from 1910 to 1926. The east side has an inscription: In memory of Miss Mittie R. Beaman Sept. 11, 1865, Nov. 12, 1926. The west side has an inscripton: Presented by graduating classes of 1927.

Beckwith Gateway

This gate is located in front of Spilman. It is dedicated to the work of Kate R. Beckwith, first Lady Principal of the Training School, 1909-1925. See correspondence between Robert H. Wright and Bonnie Howard regarding the creation of the memorial. It is currently considered the main gate along 5th Street.

Boundary Marker

There is a boundary marker in the north east corner of main campus along 5th street near the Rivers Building.

East Carolina University Gateway

Built in 2005 as a new entrance at Reade & Fifth Streets.

Hyman Gateway

Constructed in memory of Elisabeth Hyman, critic teacher from 1929 to 1953, this gate is located in front of the Old Wahl-Coates School also known as Messick Theatre.

Lewis-Ross Gateway

This was the original main gate onto campus and stood directly in front of Old Austin. Now it is in front of the Jenkins Fine Arts building. Originally designed in 1912 by Hook & Rogers architects, the gate was constructed circa 1930 and appears in the 1931 Tecoan. The gate is named for Kate Lewis who taught art from 1909 until 1946 and Ola Ross who served as the Assistant Registrar from 1910 until 1953.

Redwine Gateway

This gate is located in front of Messick Theatre and is dedicated to the memory of Ann Redwine. She served on the Education faculty from 1925 to 1928.

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Lanes

Alumni Lane

To honor all ECU alumni.

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Plazas

Sonic Plaza

The Sonic Plaza was created by artist Christopher Janney during the renovation and construction of Joyner Library 1994-1999.

Student Plaza

To honor all ECU students and their favorite campus gathering place.

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Walks

Pirates' Walk

Honors the Pirate symbolism and romantacism, but not any individual pirate.

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Ways

Bennett Way

Named for Elizabeth Stewart Bennett a legend in alumni loyalty for her faithful attendance at alumni functions, financial support and service as a trustee from 1959 to 1963. A portion of the street was demolished for parking lot expansion. The section east of A.J. Fletcher is still in use.

Chancellor's Way

To honor all of East Carolina University's chancellors and presidents:
Robert Herring Wright, president 1909-1934
Leon Renfroe Meadows, president 1934-1944
Howard Justus McGinnis, president 1944-1946
Dennis Hargrove Cooke, president 1946-1947
John Decatur Messick, president 1947-1959
Leo Warren Jenkins, president 1960-1978
Thomas Bowman Brewer, chancellor 1978-1981
John McDade Howell, chancellor 1982-1988
Richard R. Eakin, chancellor 1988-2001
William V. Muse, chancellor 2001-2003
William Shelton, chancellor 2003-2004
Steven Ballard, chancellor 2004-present

Dowell Way

Named for Pattie Simmons Dowell, first student to enroll at ECTTS and first to graduate with a two year diploma in 1911.

Faculty Way

To honor all East Carolina University faculty members

Glenn Way

Named in honor of Governor Robert B. Glenn (1904-1908) a major figure in the 1907 campaign to establish East Carolina. Street demolished with construction of Joyner Library Addition and Mendenhall parking lot. Name no longer used.

Haskett Way

In honor of Deanie Boone Haskett, who received the first graduate degree in 1933.

Ormond Way

Named for North Carolina Senator Yancy Thomas Ormond of Kinston. He served with Thomas J. Jarvis and James Y. Joyner on the first Executive/Building Committee supervising the construction of the first campus buildings. He also served as a trustee from 1907 to 1922.

Trustee's Way

To honor all of East Carolina University's Trustees.

Wendell Smiley Way

In honor of Wendell Smiley librarian and director of Joyner Library from 1943 to 1973.