While driving, have you ever looked up to notice that the car in front of you is sporting either a personalized or regular-number license plate that displays the ECU Pirate head? Through the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles’s special plates program, ECU supporters and Pirate fans can ride with pride.

Not only does the purchase of an ECU collegiate plate show support to the university visibly, but it is a financial boon as well. The cost of a collegiate plate is $25 annually, in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee. Fifteen of the $25 comes directly back to the university to be invested into academic enhancement efforts.

Dr. John Fletcher, associate provost in the Office of Enrollment Services at ECU, says that purchasing an ECU collegiate tag is an excellent way to show support for the university. Fletcher’s special plate says, “ENROL,” which reflects his passion for recruiting more members to the Pirate community.

“This collegiate license plate is a simple, inexpensive way that will show your support to ECU every day,” said Fletcher.

Fletcher has a special challenge for all of those ECU fans out there. “Let’s make East Carolina University No. 1 in collegiate license plates,” he said. “Proudly display your Pirate pride!”

He also put the special plate fee of $25 into perspective. “Think of it this way—the difference in cost is just $25, which is about the equivalent to buying two large pizzas over the course of a year,” he said. “It’s really important for the public and for ECU supporters to understand that by investing the cost of two large pizzas over a year, they can be supporting their university.”

Marge Howell, DMV communications officer, emphasized the value of displaying an ECU collegiate plate. “East Carolina University’s pirate appears on the ECU special license plate, which is synonymous with the university’s long history and service to eastern and coastal North Carolina, its storied athletic programs, and its progressive academic strength,” said Howell.

The DMV’s special plates program has been a part of the North Carolina vehicle registration for many years and includes plates that display a variety of interests including military, civic clubs, and collegiate. Collegiate insignia license plates were first recognized under a Session 1991 House Bill 734 by the General Assembly of North Carolina, and the first college plates were issued that following year. As of this month, the active special plates including both regular and personalized among some popular North Carolina schools are the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 8,497; North Carolina State University 5,747; East Carolina, 3,126; and Duke University 1,143.

For more information about the DMV’s special plates program, visit http://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/.

By Meagan Williford, University Marketing

2-20-12