ECU Fondest Memories
Memories shared by alumni and friends in commemoration of ECU's Centennial, 2007. Share your memories with us too.
Andrew Eldred, 2000 ~ Visiting ECU for the first time to pick up my Diploma, I was an internet/satellite student. I only have fond memories of the whole experience. Thank you ECU :)
Susan McKinney, 2001 ~ My best memory at ECU was the TGIF party. It gave all graudates a chance to celebrate their finishing their degrees. I also enjoyed being a part of the ECU elementary education department. They helped me out so much to be what I always wanted to be (a teacher). Anybody that wants to be a teacher I recomend ECU in a minute.
Adolphus Spain, '59 ~ One of my fondest memories of ECU is dancing at the Student Union in the late '50's. Weather permitting, Cynthia Mendenhall, Student Union Director, turned up the music and opened the patio to the tunes of the Crew Cuts, Big Bopper, or Nat King Cole with a little Elvis thrown in. I was there every night grinding my penny loafers down on the rough concrete -- "Slipin' and Slidin'" the night away with Little Richard or 'be bopping' with Ricky Nelson.
Erica Carter, 2005 ~ Studying until all hours of the night and taking breaks to watch and/or wait for the clown to come out of the clock tower at midnight. Nobody believes me to this day that it exists.
Richard Waldrop, '77 ~ My favorite memories are when I was in 5th & 6th grade and would go
bike riding all over the campus with my friends. We would wade in the fountain and cool off when it got too hot. The absolute best part
though was to ride our bikes down the halls of the classroom buildings (air conditioning!!) and leave big skid marks while we tried not to get caught. Growing up in Greenville was great and graduating from ECU years later was even better.
Susan Johnson Biggs, '74 ~ The "Elbow Room" on Thursday nights and happy hour on Friday afternoons . . . drinking beer with goldfish in the pitchers.
Monte McCraw '68 & '71 ~ My best memory of ECU was the transition from 1964 where we dressed very nicely and the women could not wear pants to 1970 where jeans, cutoffs and sandals were the rage. The 60's was an interesting time to be in college. Even with all of the turmoil of that time most of us still got a very good education as a pirate.
Stephen Crawford '86 ~ My most proud memories of my days at ECU are of my participation in the East Carolina Choir, under the direction of the late professor Brett Watson. Those performances represent the most professional, most perfect events in my life. I often look back on them with a great sense of pride.
Lynette Paramore Norville ~ Growing up in Greenville, I attended Wahl-Coates School which is
presently the McGinnis Theatre and Messick Theatre Arts Center. The parking lot in front, back and side of the building was where we had
recess. My Dad worked in what is now the Central Receiving and Stores driving the nurses to functions. So after school my cousin and I
walked to his office, checked in with him and played in the wooded area now the College of Technology and Computer Science. The University has grown but it still holds many special childhood memories for me.
Patrick Simcox, '89 ~ One memory that I always come back to is walking across the mall after dusk in the late fall. I remember leaving Flanagan after Organic Chemistry lab at 6:00 and no one would be around. The lights on the mall then were extremely dim and moody, the lighting from the dorms and other buildings was a cheerful accent around the perimeter, and there were leaves every where from all those towering trees. I loved that I had the place to myself: the peaceful atmosphere; the rustle of the leaves; the crisp, clean smelling chill in the air. I would always prolong that crossing of the mall, kicking the leaves and just taking it all in, occasonally sitting on a bench for a few minutes. That walk back to Garrett was always cathartic for me, the perfect way to relax and unwind after class... ECU is, in my mind, the prettiest campus I have ever seen. I have always been proud and impressed by the committment the administration has demonstrated to improving the appearance of the grounds. Ever changing and I still love the place. Every time I come back I find something new to marvel at and appreciate...Thank you for all the memories and feelings, EC!
Anita Hardesty, '68 ~ I remember when we were trying to get university status. Many went to
lobby the General Assembly on busses. We were so thrilled when ECC became ECU! I lived in Umstead Hall with 3 in a room in the fall of
1965. We had the largest freshman class in the state. Then I lived in Fletcher and last in the Alpha Xi Delta House. I had a wonderful
education and a lot of fun at East Carolina. I sent all 3 of my children there and we are very proud to really be an ECU famuly. I
teach 8th grade Social Studies (which is N.C. history) at Beaufort Middle School. I loved Dr. John Ellen, U.S. history. I guess he was my
favorite teacher. I'm really excited about the 100th anniversary and hope I can attend some event.
Neil Jefferson, '93 ~ Why did you choose ECU? As a graduating high school senior in Eastern North Carolina, I had many college options. I chose East Carolina because of a world-class Business School with deep ties to the Eastern NC area. I knew the education I would receive would be outstanding and my experiences would prove to be unforgettable. It was truly one of the best decisions of my life.
Ryan Moore, '97 ~ Memory: I heard that the Jones dorm "on the hill" is now airconditioned, and thought I'd share my fond memory of being in the
dorm there for two years.My room was on the first floor, in the back corner, and just below us was the oven area from the, then still in
use, Jones Dining Hall on the bottom floor.
The dorm room had warm, warm floors in the winter and we thoroughly enjoyed that. In teh summer however, the dorm was not airconditioned, so we all opened our windiows and had a box fan in each window to help keep air moving to keep us cooler.
We, however we also directly over the area where they stored the large dumpsters outside behind the building! SO in the summer we had the warm, heated smell of kitchen dumpster blowing through our windows at high speed!
To compensate we hung dozens of those car tree sent things in the windows, and hanging blowing from the fans. It sounds tough, but we loved it and I wouldn't trade a thing for my time in Jones Hall.
Bob Noe, '70 ~ As students in the late 60s we all looked for fun, yet rewarding jobs around town and on campus. I still tell folks that I worked in the first Hardee's in America and then share my french fry stories. My best job as a male on campus was working for the company that operated the vending machines in the dorms. I was the Sealtest Man! Back in the 60's we had these cool vending machines in every dorm that dispensed white and chocolate milk.... and folks bought quite a lot of it. Especially pleasing was the fact that the girls in the dorms consumed a great deal of milk ( it was before folks learned about lactose intolerance) My job made me go to every dorm on campus, each morning, to deliver milk to the vending machine rooms, mostly in basements. The best part was when I had to say "man on the hall" as I entered the women's dorms. I must admit, I said it, but it was not very loud. The first week or so, I spilled many crates of milk as I viewed some girls in various stage of dress and ...hair and make up! Funny thing happened as the days and weeks rolled on. The girls didn't even notice me after a while. I even gave about five cartons away each day to my "milk princess of the day." I was beginning to worry about my hair and dress. Did they not notice that I was the only male student allowed in the girls dorms every day???? Man on the Hall . . . What a great two years of my life to share with others during this Centennial! Who's Got Milk?
Robert Miller, 2007 ~ I will always remember my time in Graduate school at ECU as a postive memory. As the 2006-2007 President of the ECU Graduate Student Council, I hope I have laid the foundation for the council to grow and further represent the graduate students of ECU.
Go Pirate Nation
Matthew Cohen, 2007 ~ Oh where to begin... even just my Freshman year had more memories packed in to it then I can recall in a lifetime. I remember the water-gun fights in the halls on the top floor of Aycock. There was my first Pirate Baseball game in the Jungle (the real jungle, before they changed it, back when there where still trees, we steamed oysters, threw the frissby, and taunted the other teams outfielders as older alums told us stories about building the jungle years ago. I remember El Ranchito for margaritas on Cinco Di Myo, and my first time seeing Chairman of the Board at the Cavern. Good times . . .
Judith Smith, '68 ~ One of my fondest memories during my years at East Carolina University
was of Dr. Leo Jenkins, President of the University, addressing the student body each year before Christmas vacation. On the morning of
the last day before Christmas vacation, the ECU Symphony presented a brief Christmas concert in Wright Auditorium. The final selection,
"Sleigh Ride," was always followed by Dr. Jenkins making a closing personal Christmas wish to the students. I can hear his voice even now - so sincere, full of well wishes, mesmerizing - a voice distinctive, recognizable, and revered by every ECU student.
Kevin McCourt, '80~ Attended ECU from Aug 1975-July 1981. Lived in Jones Dorm (first year), Scott Dorm (2 years), and a house off of old Cotanche St. thereafter. Became FT resident of Greenville. Poli Sci Major with great memories of Professors Eamon & Yarborough, but especially my teacher/advisor Mr. Herbert Carlton & Dept secretary Cindy Smith. Played a major role & spent alot of non-study time in SGA during some controversial years. Also, part-time jobs at "Sportsworld" roller rink & summer lifeguarding. Best years of my life!
Jimmy O'Boyle, '78 ~ Time in dreaded Aycock then blissful memories in Scott. (A corner suite with a table on the top landing for Dinners and cocktails with my roomie Tommy.) Hitch hiking memories to Myrtle Beach to meet Susan, Genie and all the girls with my buddy David. Movies on the mall and subsequent visits to Cotten dorm. Catching the latest hot band at the Attic! Foosball matches then 9 ball pool at Happys Pool Room with the boys from Warrington. Late night bike rides to and fro the library. Hanging out "on the wall" at the student union from dawn to dusk between classes. Off to class, then off to soccer team training, then off to work at the Tree House. Some of the best times of my life. Greenville is certainly a very special place on Earth! Go Pirates!
Debra A Shatterly Locklear, 2007 ~ Although I am graduating in May 2007, my journey at ECU began in 1977. I spent two years at ECU that are like a blank page on the history books--we didn't have a yearbook for 77 and 78. I always regretted transfering to Pembroke State to be closer to home and then not finishing my degree. ECU had been my first choice and I left alot of friends there. From the time I moved into Garrett, I felt at home. Everyone on campus was friendly and welcoming. Twenty-eight years later, I moved my daughter into Greene, and noticed the same welcoming atmosphere. For a mom having a hard time letting go, I was comfortable leaving her. In the process of choosing a college for her, I found the Distance Education program on the ECU website and now, I will be finishing my degree at my first school of choice after 30 years of waiting. And this time, we have a yearbook!!
Harry Baldwin, '67 ~ Julie London was giving a concert at Wright Adutorium for the students. Miss London was a beautiful and sexy lady. I was up front next to the stage, and my friend and fraternity brother Bill Clark of Bill Clark Homes in Greenville was called up on the stage to sing with Julie. Bill was as red in the face as a stop sign. The frat brothers rode Bill for weeks about his preformance. This was 63/64.
Peggy Cookerly, '52 ~ June Dolly Carson (W.Va) and I transferred to ECTC the summer of 1950 from Madison College, Va. Madison had 1500 girls and 150 guys. We were "day students" and lived in Greenville on 4th St. because my dad had been transferred from VA to NC . When we had all of those male students in classes . . . we were in Heaven because we did not have a time limit to be back in the dorm (We lived in dorms at Madison Uni.) We
did have to answer to my parents and only stay out to 11 pm . June's major was music education (marching band, etc.) and my major was
chem/bio. education. WE LOVED EAST CAROLINA!!! We both became teachers!! ( also we received our Master's degrees from ECC
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!! MISS YA'LL.
William Rowland, '54 ~ He attended ECC (summer 1951-December 1953), graduating in 1954 with a BS degree. Bill helped in the infirmary (not for pay) because he had been a hospital corpsman in the US Navy in WWII. In the summer of 1951 he borrowed a white pitcher from the Infirmary to use it for ice water while he was staying in Slay Hall. He's not sure, but he thinks this was the same type of pitcher used in the cafeteria. In the fall, each student had to have a physical at the infirmary and Bill did the urinalysis work. He worked for Drs. Fred and Malene Irons. Bill and fellow student John Funderburg were friends and they used to go to the Ayden dump to shoot rats. One time Bill shot a great horned owl that flew over the dump and he wanted John to stuff it for him (John was a taxidermist) but John didn't have time right then to do it. Bill wrapped up the owl and stored it in the Infirmary freezer next to various medical-related samples. When questioned by Dr. Fred Irons as to what it was, he said it was dead fish. Finally after a couple weeks, Dr. Irons inisted that he unwrap it. When Dr. Irons saw the owl he said, "It's an old hoot!" From then on he called Bill "Hoot." [as told to Martha Elmore March 1, 2007 when Bill Rowland returned the Infirmary pitcher to the University Archives]
