Holden Jones: A future in problem-solving
Holden Jones is hard to track down. When he’s not in class at Louisburg High School, he might be interning with Louisburg College, working one of two jobs – at a barbecue restaurant and a livestock farm – or responding to a call with the Centerville Volunteer Fire Department.
At East Carolina University, his focus will shift from fighting fires to firewalls.
Jones, 17, will be one of 20 incoming freshmen entering ECU in August as EC Scholars – the most prestigious academic scholarship program the university offers. He plans to pursue a degree in information systems with a concentration in data and network security.
“I enjoy problem solving and learning about what makes things work,” he said. “In the world of information technology there is always a newer, faster, and more efficient way to perform tasks. You never stop learning.”
Jones said choosing ECU was easy.
“I have always heard that when you find the right college, you will know from the moment you walk on campus,” he said. “For me, that college was ECU. My parents encouraged me to visit several schools before making my final decision, but I never had the same feeling anywhere else.”
Though Jones was nominated for several scholarships, he said nothing compares to the title ECU bestowed on him this spring.
“Being selected as an EC Scholar is the greatest honor of my life,” Jones said. “The EC Scholar's program and Honors College make a large university small and less daunting. During the Honors College weekend, I was constantly amazed that everyone already knew my name.”
With the opportunity to study abroad, Jones said he’s already set his sights on Australia.
“In addition to the amazing cultural experiences available on the continent, many Australian universities are conducting cloud storage research,” he explained. “In our global marketplace, awareness of international research in the information technology field will be vital.”
Jones is a member of the National Honor Society and spent two years as a percussion section leader in his high school marching and symphonic bands. He also received the 2012 North Carolina Fireman's Association Firefighter's Scholarship for the Piedmont region.
He is the son of Paul and Candace Jones.
-- Kathryn Kennedy
