Spring Break
ECU's Second Century Campaign passes halfway mark
Campaign supports plan for the future of ECU
Jimmy Galloway
Issue date: 7/30/08 Section: News
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"Raising half the financial goal for the Second Century Campaign represents great progress, yet we know the second half of a campaign is always more challenging," said Mickey Dowdy, vice chancellor of University Advancement at ECU.
"We are grateful to the alumni, friends and donors who have supported the Second Century Campaign and look forward to even greater things to come."
The Second Century Campaign was announced on March 27, 2008 to support ECU Tomorrow: A Vision for Leadership and Service, the university's strategic plan adopted in 2007. Its financial goal is to raise $200 million by December 31, 2012 to support the university's initiatives for its next hundred years. It also aims to enrich the lives of ECU students, the citizens of eastern North Carolina, the state itself and beyond.
"This bold and ambitious plan for ECU lays out five strategic directions by which we will chart our course into our second century," said Chancellor Steve Ballard, "Make no mistake: the state will not respond at a level equal to our opportunity. I am convinced, however, that just as in the past, the entire ECU community will seize the opportunity that is now before us."
ECU Tomorrow lays out several goals for the future of education at ECU, such as preparing students to compete in the global economy, a renewed commitment to student learning and success and a commitment to making higher education accessible to all students. The goal of accessibility will be achieved with a new level of collaboration with high schools in the area to help in the transition from high school to ECU, as well as expansion of distance-learning programs and weekend classes for working adults.
"One of the major goals of the Second Century Campaign is to raise $30 million to fund merit- and need-based scholarships, international studies initiatives for students and the Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement," Dowdy said. "The campaign will provide some of the resources necessary for ECU's greatest assets-its students-to fulfill the university's mission and become leaders in the community, state and nation."
Leadership development is another component of ECU Tomorrow. The Center for Transformational Leadership in Eastern North Carolina will aim to develop service-oriented leaders in the region. The BB&T Leadership Center will work with faculty to incorporate leadership and service-learning into their curricula. The Chancellor's Leadership Academy will develop staff and faculty leaders and ECU's Center for Student Success will ensure that all students graduate with demonstrated competency in leadership.
ECU Tomorrow is also dedicated to economic prosperity in eastern NC. ECU will provide educational programs to develop and support a competitive workforce in the state and will support an entrepreneurial mindset throughout the university, strengthen partnerships with businesses, elected officials, and economic developers and increase investment in innovation and research. ECU aims to be the third-largest research university in the UNC system and lead in innovation in health sciences and information technology.
ECU plans to expand its medical programs and services, significantly expand and improve health-care facilities, expand research in health sciences-with emphasis on health concerns of the region and state and extend the reach of the Brody School of Medicine by establishing a satellite campus in rural eastern NC.
The arts, culture and the quality of life in Greenville are also part of ECU Tomorrow. ECU hopes to enhance and expand its position as an arts and cultural center. It will also partner with the city of Greenville and businesses to support a renaissance of downtown Greenville.
The football stadium and other facilities will be expanded to bolster the athletics programs.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
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