East Carolina University is a significant contributor to our state and our region. We have great faculty and staff, students are voting with their feet by attending ECU in greater numbers, and we are a primary economic engine for eastern North Carolina. We have a gold star future at ECU.

In the Chancellor’s office, we believe in quality, partnerships, and engagement. Our role is to help provide the vision, leadership and support to maximize the opportunities before us. In his last speech, Robert Wright, the first president of East Carolina, observed “that it is in working together that we must go forward”. As Chancellor, I echo the sentiments of my early predecessor. The past, present, and future success of East Carolina is not based on a single person or a single point in time. It is the result of a continual effort put forth by our students, our faculty and staff, our alumni and supporters.

As we near the end of our first century and make plans for celebrating our centennial in 2007, we reflect on the past with our vision focused on the present and our future. There is great excitement about all that East Carolina can and will be in our second century.

Join me in celebrating East Carolina. Tomorrow starts here.


Steve Ballard
Chancellor