Chancellor’s Scholars
East Carolina University is building momentum around the Chancellor’s Scholars initiative with a $5 million commitment from the State of North Carolina to match gifts of $31,250 to create fully funded endowments. This investment expands opportunity for talented, driven students ready to lead, serve and make a lasting impact, ensuring they choose ECU and thrive here.
PIRATE PRIORITIES
We aim to secure 4-year recruitment scholarships for our students to achieve several crucial goals.
Attract top students
Strengthening our academic profile by supporting high achieving students
Enhance retention and graduation rates
Ensuring all students complete their 4-year degrees in a timely manner
Reduce student debt
Alleviating the financial burden on our students and families
$10,000
Scholarship Per Student
for four years
75
Chancellor’s Scholars
on ECU Campus
33
Counties represented
in the state of North Carolina
Shaping Pirates
Our institution exists to serve, and this initiative brings that mission to life by creating opportunities for students to choose ECU and fully engage in the experiences that will shape their future. — Chancellor Philip Rogers
Mission Driven
This scholarship initiative is about fulfilling ECU’s mission of
being a national model for student success, public service and
regional transformation. Our commitment to these core values
is unwavering and guides every decision we make.
At ECU, student experience and preparedness to take on the
challenges of today and tomorrow are the bedrock of our
mission.
This initiative is also designed to meet the university’s annual
UNC System performance metrics and goals, which are
assessed by the UNC System and directly impact the university’s
state funding.
By contributing to this fundraising strategy, you will help ECU
leverage maximum state funding, ensuring the sustainability
and growth of our institution.
Opportunities
Endowment + Annual Support
Current endowment gift/pledge of $62,500 (paid within 3-to-5 years) as well as a commitment of $2,500 per year, totaling $12,500, linked to the endowment for distribution until the endowment reaches maturity.
Thanks to matching funds from the ECU Foundation, an endowment of $31,250 or any multiple there of, will be matched to create a fully funded endowment.
Blended Support
Annual 4-year commitment of $2,500 per year, totaling $10,000, plus a planned gift through your estate beneficiary designation/bequest/life income gift/etc.) for $62,500 to name an endowed fund perpetually.
Annual Support
Annual 4-year commitment of $2,500 per year, totaling $10,000, to cover a student from their first day of class through graduation.
Collective Giving
Join with other ECU donors to collectively fund 20 new 4-year scholarships through Annual Giving. The general Chancellor’s Scholars Fund will raise $200,000 annually toward the initiative.
We invite you to join us!
We value your support of this transformative initiative for the future of the students we serve and the institution they call home. Your gifts will help us achieve our strategic goals and change the lives of our students, ensuring they are equipped to succeed and contribute to their communities.
“Being a Chancellor’s Scholar makes me happy because of the opportunities I am provided at ECU. I am most excited about being a biology major and plan to continue on to med school after I graduate to become a pediatrician.”
Sarya Lisane
2025 Chancellor’s Scholar
Biology Major
“I’m majoring in biology sciences and accomplishing my childhood dreams of becoming an orthodontist. The Chancellor’s Scholarship actually really brought me here. When that email came across saying that I was going to be a Chancellor ‘s Scholar, it literally meant the world to me. It cut down on my stress so much. It is really life-changing.”
Nick Tait
2025 Chancellor’s Scholar
Biology Sciences Major
