News
EC Scholars Welcomes Class of 2015
May 2011
Fifteen incoming freshmen at East Carolina
University were selected for the prestigious EC Scholars Program. The
four-year merit scholarship recognizes outstanding academic
performance, commitment to community engagement and strong leadership
skills. Recipients receive a scholarship for four years, along with a
stipend for study abroad, for a total value of approximately $45,000.
For additional information on each student who received the honor, please visit the ECU News Services website.
Honors Students Celebrated and Honored by Phi Kappa Phi
May 2011
The East Carolina Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi annually presents an award to the Outstanding Senior at ECU. The winner receives a plaque and a check for $1000 from the chapter. This year the chapter also selected three finalists of distinction. Each received a check for $100.
Parteek Singla, a native of Greenville, NC, is the first Finalist of Distinction. An EC Scholar and Brody School of Medicine Early Assurance Scholar, Parteek graduated in May 2011 summa cum laude with a BS in biology and a minor in international studies. During his undergraduate career, Parteek completed a summer research internship at the National Institutes of Health in HIV/AIDS research and one at Harvard University in immunology. He did his honors thesis research with Dr. Rachel Roper at the Brody School of Medicine on efforts to develop a safer poxvirus vaccine. Parteek has been an active community volunteer and leader. With the help of the Volunteer and Service Learning Center, he started his own nonprofit organization, Kids with Knowledge, and raised over $10,000 to help life-changing projects in Uganda and Ghana. This past summer he volunteered at an eye clinic in Ghana and in the summer of 2011 he will travel to Spain to take classes before starting medical school at Brody in the fall. Eventually he plans to become a physician in eastern North Carolina.
The second Finalist of Distinction is Rachel Steeb. Rachel too is an EC scholar and member of the Honors program. She graduated in May summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She completed an honors thesis under the direction of Dr. Kim Larson, examining the barriers to prenatal education experienced by women of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds in rural eastern North Carolina. Rachel also received the ECU Undergraduate Research Award and the Sigma Theta Tau Beta Nu research award. She currently serves as Vice President of the senior nursing class, is the student representative on the undergraduate curriculum committee in nursing, and is employed at Pitt County Memorial Hospital as a Nurse Aide II in the Emergency Department. Rachel has been a passionate participant in ECUs Relay for Life, serving as co-captain for the nursing team. Upon graduation, she plans to move to Charlotte to seek employment as a registered nurse.
The third Finalist of Distinction is Maggie Walston. A native of Snow Hill, Maggie is an EC scholar and member of the Honors program. She graduated in May with university honors and a major in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in English. In the summer of 2009, she studied in London. Her senior honors thesis, under the direction of Dr. Betty Smith, examined observational data on clients from birth through age 5 in order to correlate the developmental stages of play with stages of speech and language development. At ECU Maggie has been an active member of the ECU Ambassadors service leadership society. She is currently their Philanthropy Committee chairperson. She is also a member of the National Student Speech, Language and hearing Association. Eventually she plans to become a speech language pathologist in a hospital or clinic setting. Her first step will be to enter a Masters degree program this fall.
The winner of the 2010-2011 Outstanding Senior award is Deepak Ravindranathan from Calabash, NC. Deepak is an EC Scholar and member of the university Honors program. He graduated in May summa cum laude with dual degrees: a BS in Biochemistry and a BA in Chemistry. He received an ECU Undergraduate Research Award to fund his honors thesis project with Dr. Shoqan Huo in Chemistry to develop and characterize highly emissive platinum complexes. He recently published his first academic article as lead author in the Inorganic Chemistry Journal. He has also presented his research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and at the American Chemical Society. In the summer of 2011, Deepak will travel to Europe to conduct a comparative analysis of natural resource management and recreational practices in four countries. Active on campus, Deepak served for two years as the student representative to the Phi Kappa Phi executive board. He mentored children at Belvoir Elementary School, volunteered at Pitt Memorial Hospital and the Hobgood and Grimesland clinics, and is serving as President of the ECU Chemistry Club and Vice-President of the Rural Health Volunteer Society. Deepak was also a 2011 recipient of the Elite Pirate Award for top student leaders. Deepak plans to complete a Masters program in Chemistry before enrolling in medical school. Eventually he hopes to become a practicing physician in eastern North Carolina.
Honors Student Awarded Pierce Graduate Fellowship by Phi Kappa Phi
May 2011
Each year, the ECU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi sponsors a competition among graduating seniors for a fellowship to help fund their first year of graduate or professional study. Named in honor of a former chapter member and faculty member in Nursing, the award includes a fellowship of $1500 and a plaque.
The 2010-2011 Fellowship winner is Brittany Carr. A native
of Mt. Olive, NC, Brittany is an EC Scholar, Brody Early Assurance Scholar and
member of the Honors program. She graduated in May summa cum laude with two Bachelor of Science degrees: one in
Biology and one in Multidisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Asian
studies. In the latter program, Brittany was able to study abroad twice in
Japan and in India. Her senior honors thesis combines here interests in Asian
culture and medicine, exploring the development of the Chinese health care system
in response to the nation’s many political changes throughout its history.
Brittany also works in the Biochemistry Department in the Brody School of
Medicine as an undergraduate research assistant. She received an Undergraduate
Research Award to explore genetic control mechanisms of the protein Zfp206. She
also won an award last year for her undergraduate research project on plant
diversity. Brittany is an active campus volunteer and received the Elite Pirate
Award as a top student leader. She has volunteered as head volleyball coach
with the Pitt Community Schools and Recreation Program, been a patient escort
at Pitt Memorial Hospital and a volunteer at Goshen Medical Center. She
completed an alternative spring break program volunteering in Russell County,
Alabama. This fall, Brittany will enter the Brody School of Medicine. Her
long-term goal is to become a primary care physician in a rural area and to
eventually build a model for developing healthy communities in rural areas.
May 2011
The ECU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi recognizes annually an outstanding first-year student. The winner receives a plaque and a check for $500 from the chapter. In addition, this year the chapter also chose to recognize a finalist of distinction.
The finalist of distinction is Rachel Pollard, a graduate of the NC School of Science and Math. Rachel is an EC Scholar and member of the Honors College who plans to major in biology and eventually study veterinary medicine. Since arriving on campus, Rachel has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average and volunteered with the Little Willie Center, the Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program, the Golden Living Center and has served as a biology and chemistry tutor for fellow students. She is also the Co-Chair of the Rising Leaders Circle.
The 2010-2011 Outstanding First-Year Student is Hannah Potter, a graduate of Forest Hills High School in Marshville, NC. While in high school, Hannah lived and studied in Egypt and continues taking Arabic lessons from a private tutor. An EC Scholar and member of the Honors College, Hannah plans to double major in International Studies and Religious Studies. She will travel to India in the summer of 2011 to study religion. In addition to maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average, Hannah has volunteered at the Little Willie Center, the golden Living Center, and has participated in the Language Exchange program through the International House. Over the recent spring break, she traveled with the Service Learning Center to New York City to do volunteer work. Eventually, Hannah would like to work with nongovernmental organizations abroad offering humanitarian assistance.
Honors College Students Recognized as URCA Grant Winners
March 3, 2011
Ms. Brianna Biscardi, junior Chemistry and Neuroscience major and Honors student, is working with Dr. Kennedy (Chemistry) in the Harriot College.
Mr. Stephen Canady, junior Biochemistry and Chemistry major and Honors student, is working with Dr. Hvastkovs (Chemistry) in the Harriot College.
Mr. Charles Carter, senior Health Education and Promotion major and Honors student, is working with Dr. Burke (Health Education & Promotion) in the College of Health and Human Performance.
Ms. Danielle Jessen, junior Biology and Chemistry major and Honors student, is working with Dr. Allen (Chemistry) in the Harriot College.
Mr. Jonathan Lee, junior Neuroscience Studies major and Honors student in the EC Scholars Program, is working with Dr. Lu (Anatomy & Cell Biology) in the Brody School of Medicine.
Ms. Tiffany Lee, senior Neuroscience Studies and Biology major and Honors student in the EC Scholars Program, is working with Dr. Bareiss (Physical Therapy) in the College of Allied Health Sciences.
Ms. Eden Rouse, junior Neuroscience Studies major and Honors student in the EC Scholars Program, is working with Dr. Warner (Psychology) in the Harriot College.
Ms. Rachel Steeb, senior Nursing major and Honors student in the EC Scholars Program, is working with Dr. Larson (Nursing) in the College of Nursing.
Mr. Evan Wells, sophomore Biochemistry and Chemistry major and Honors student, is working with Dr. Hvastkovs (Chemistry) in the Harriot College.
EC Scholar Recognized with Inaugural Bassman Thesis Award
November 22, 2010
The winner of the 2010 Michael F. Bassman Honor Thesis Award is Daniel Landon Allen, a graduate of the University Honors Program and an EC Scholar alumnus. Mr. Allen will accept the award at the ceremony on Tuesday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m. in Room 2409 of Joyner Library.
Landon’s winning thesis project was completed under the direction of Dr. Colin Burns in the Department of Chemistry at ECU. In Fall 2008, Landon began working on a project involving the study of a protein called prothymosin-alpha. Dr. Burns and his research associates were studying this unusual protein’s abilities to modulate the human immune system, and in particular how it helps our body in fighting viruses like HIV. In Dr. Burn’s words, “The research question Landon posed in the course of his work was very interesting and extremely complex – something worthy of being a Ph.D. dissertation project on its own.“
Landon was also chosen as the Outstanding Senior for 2009-2010 at East Carolina University by the local chapter of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. An Honors Student and EC Scholar, Landon graduated summa cum laude with University Honors in May 2010. He completed dual degrees in Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Business Administration and a certificate in Hispanic Studies. During his undergraduate career, Landon won multiple awards – an Elite Pirate Leadership Award, the Keith D Holmes Scholastic Chemistry Achievement Award, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Academic Award, and several ECU Research and Creative Achievement Week awards, including one for his project “Women in Guatemalan and Nicaraguan Societies: From the Twentieth Century Onward” completed under the direction of Dr. Bassman.
Landon is completing his Master’s of Business Administration degree here at ECU and will enter the Brody School of Medicine next year. He plans to study family medicine in preparation for opening a small practice in rural eastern North Carolina.
Honors College Students Recognized as URCA Grant Winners
November 9, 2010
Ms. Brittany Carr, senior Biology major and Honors student in the EC Scholars program, is working with Dr. Phillip Pekala (Biology) in the Harriot College.
Ms. Meagan Decker, junior Chemistry major and Honors student in the EC Scholars program, is working with Dr. Andrew Morehead (Chemistry) in the Harriot College.
Mr. Jeffrey Dwulet, junior Biology major and Honors student, is working with Dr. Anne Spuches (Biology) in the Harriot College.
Mr. Wayne Rummings, junior Biology major and Honors student, is working with Dr. Tim Christensen (Biology) in the Harriot College.
Ms. Kelli Shortt, senior Biology major and Honors student, is working with Dr. Jean-Luc Scemama (Biology) in the Harriot College.
Ms. Caitlin Trumbo, senior Biochemistry major and Honors student, is working with Dr. Ann Sperry (Cell Biology) in the Brody School of Medicine.
Lee Showcased in Harriot College's Newsletter: Cornerstone Magazine
Fall 2010
Ravindranathan Listed as First Author in the Journal Inorganic Chemistry
November 8, 2010
Mr. Deepak Ravindranathan, a junior Biochemistry major and Honors student in the EC Scholars program, has been listed as a first author in the journal Inorganic Chemistry. Mr. Ravindranathan's publication is entitled, "Improvement in Phosphorescence Efficiency through Tuning of
Coordination Geometry of Tridentate Cyclometalated Platinum(II) Complexes."
Fazzone Named Founding Dean of Honors College
July 28, 2010
Dr. Patricia Fazzone will begin her duties as the Founding Dean of the Honors College in late August 2010. For additional information on this major step forward for the Honors College, please see the Provost's Announcement to the University Community.
Eleven Students Named to Next Class of EC Scholars
May 21, 2010
Eleven first-year East Carolina University students have been named by the university as the EC Scholars class of 2014. For more information, please visit the ECU News Services release.
Honors Student Recognized with Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society Scholarship
May 2010
Justin Lee-Wesley Sharpe, a member of the Honors College at East Carolina University, was awarded a $6,000 Undergraduate Scholarship from Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society on April 29, 2010. While Justin is the fourth ECU Honors College student in the last few years to win a Phi Eta Sigma scholarship, he is the first to win one of the more prestigious $6,000 awards. He will be featured in a half-page layout in the Phi Eta Sigma FORUM annual publication with his picture and biography. Justin is a Health Education and Promotion major with a Pre-Health concentration. When he’s not participating in student organizations or serving in volunteer activities, he enjoys playing tennis and wake-boarding at the beach. Justin came to ECU from Yadkinville, North Carolina, and plans to pursue Physician Assistant Studies in graduate school. We congratulate Justin on his accomplishment.
Honors Students Celebrated and Honored by Phi Kappa Phi
May 2010
Daniel Landon Allen was chosen the Outstanding Senior for 2009-2010 at East Carolina University by the local chapter of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.An Honors Student and EC Scholar, Landon graduated summa cum laude with University Honors in May. He completed dual degrees in Biology and Chemistry with a minor in Business Administration and a certificate in Hispanic Studies. During his undergraduate career, Landon has taken part in field ecology, designed a humanities project of his own, won multiple awards participating in ECU’s Research and Creative Achievement week. Landon has won several other academic awards during his time at the University including an Elite Pirate Leadership Award, the Keith D Holmes Scholastic Chemistry Achievement Award, and The Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Academic Award. After graduation, he will take a year to complete his Master’s of Business Administration degree and then he will enter the Brody School of Medicine where he plans to study family medicine in preparation for opening a small practice in rural eastern North Carolina.
Jason L. Morton, Honors Student and NC Teaching Fellow, was awarded as a Finalist of Distinction. He graduated summa cum laude in May with University Honors and a Praxis I certification in Music Education. As an undergraduate he participated with the ECU Marching Pirates, pledged the music fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and has served in a number of music outreach organization. He was president of Phi Mu Alpha and of the Student Forum and of the North Carolina Music Educators Association. He participated in the UNC Semester in Washington DC Program where he interned at the National Education Association in Washington, DC. Jason participated in a Semester at Sea, where he spent 67 days on a ship traveling to eight different countries in Europe and North Africa. He plans to secure a teaching position in Music Education, perhaps with Teach for America. Eventually, he plans to pursue graduate education in Music Therapy or Educational Administration.
Margaret E. Small, Honors Student and EC Scholar, was named Finalist of Distinction. Margaret graduated in May summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and University Honors. While at ECU, she has been an active member of campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity and an organization called Invisible Children which works to build schools in Uganda. She spent a semester studying abroad in Australia during her sophomore year. She is also a member of the East Carolina Association of Nursing Students, the National Student Nurses’ Association and of Phi Kappa Phi honor societyAfter graduation, Margaret plans to work in a North Carolina Hospital, hopefully starting out on a medical surgical floor. Eventually she would like to travel abroad and work in a Spanish-speaking area, perhaps one day pursuing graduate study to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.
Laurel Ann Truelove, Honors Student and EC Scholar, was also named Finalist of Distinction. Laurel graduated summa cum laude University Honors in May. She completed dual degrees Mathematics and Mathematics Education. She has been active in service to the community working as a tutor for Hispanic students, a member of Invisible Children, and a judge on the EC Scholars Selection Committee. She studied abroad in Manchester, England. While there, she volunteered at a local secondary school in the mathematics department. For the past three years, Laurel has worked on a National Science Foundation grant which focuses biomechanics and robotics explorations for IT Literacy Skills in rural schools. After graduation, she plans to tour Europe for a month and then work with a professor on publishing lesson plans in mathematics education. She has been accepted into graduate programs at both University of Georgia and NC State and plans to work towards a PhD in Mathematics Education.
Honors Student Awarded Pierce Graduate Fellowship by Phi Kappa Phi
May 2010
Amanda S. Keeny, Honors Student and EC Scholar, was awarded the 2009-2010 Eldean Pierce Graduate Fellowship, by the ECU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. She received a check for $1500 to be used toward graduate study from the chapter and was then entered into a national competition for additional awards. Amanda graduated this past December, summa cum laude, with a dual degree. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Bachelor of Science in Public History. She also completed University Honors writing an honor’s thesis analyzing the artifacts from an excavation conducted by Dr. Randy Daniel at Barber Creek, the oldest dated site of human occupation in North Carolina. Amanda participated in an archaeological field school at Barber Creek where she learned research techniques. She also served as an assistant for the ECU Summer Ventures program for gifted high school students at Colonial Bath. While working on that site, she learned to operate the Total Station and gained experience with ground penetrating radar in archaeology. As a student of public history, Amanda completed an internship at the Tryon Palace historic site and also had the opportunity to work as a museum guide and interpreter there and at other historic sites. In addition, while a student at ECU, she was employed by a contract archaeology firm to assist with excavations at the James Iredell historic site as well. Amanda came to ECU from Bailey, NC. She was admitted as an EC Scholar and member of the Honor’s program. While at ECU, she tutored Hispanic children at the Belvoir school and volunteered with several other service organizations. She was inducted into the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society, Lambda Alpha Anthropology honors society, Phi Kappa Phi national honor society and was named the 2009 Outstanding Senior in the Department of History. Amanda also studied abroad in Argentina working specifically on her Spanish language skills. Amanda plans to pursue her graduate degree in the area of historic archaeology with a particular focus on the colonial period and hope eventually to earn a PhD in the field.
Honors Students Named as Outstanding First Year Students by Phi Kappa Phi
May 2010
The East Carolina Chapter of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society presented awards for Outstanding First-year Student for 2009-2010 at a ceremony held on April 18, 2010. In selecting a winner, the committee considered a number of criteria including SAT scores, g.p.a., and number of AP and honor's hours completed. Candidates also submitted written statements about their personal and professional goals. It was a very difficult decision for the committee because there were eight highly qualified nominees. As a result, the committee has chosen to recognize one finalist of distinction and two co-award winners.
Jacob Subash was named Finalist of Distinction and received a check for $100 from the chapter. Jake emigrated from India to the United States in 2002 and graduated from JH Rose high school in Greenville. He was active in Tae Kwon Do and volunteered at Pitt Memorial Hospital. He received a full academic scholarship as an EC Scholar and received the Brody Early Assurance admission to medical school. Jake is pursuing a major in Biology and will study abroad in Sweden. He has volunteered in the lab of Dr. Keiper in the Brody School of Medicine and is part of the Rising Leaders Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society. He has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average and plans to pursue the study of medicine and become a practicing physician.
Two ECU honors students were named co-winners for the Outstanding First-year Student Award. Each received a plaque and a check for $500 from the chapter.
Jonathan Lee is a native of Greenville. He graduated from Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston, North Carolina. In high school, Jonathan volunteered as a research lab assistant in the Brody School of Medicine, served as a tutor in mathematics and participated in Church orchestra. In 2008 he traveled with his father to Sichuan province of China to serve with the Bridge to the Nations Humanitarian medical mission for earthquake relief. Jonathan was admitted to the university as an EC Scholar and was selected for the Early Assurance Admission program to the Brody School of Medicine. He is majoring in Neuroscience and has volunteered with the Grimesland Indigent Clinic. He too is a member of the Rising Leaders Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society and will study abroad during the coming year. Jonathan plans to pursue an MD and with a joint Master’s of Public Helath degree in order to better prepare and serve as a physician in rural America.
Danielle Martin a resident of Pitt County. She attended the Oakwood School and graduated from South Central High School in Greenville. Active in sports, Danielle was captain of the varsity volleyball team and graduated third in her class. She was admitted to the university as an East Carolina scholar. She is a member of the Honors program and the Rising Leaders Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. She is also participating in her second semester of club volleyball and is co-captain of her team. Danielle is majoring in Biology with a minor in Spanish and she plans to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country. Despite all of these activities, she has maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average. Eventually, Danielle plans to attend medical school and where she hopes to pursue her dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon.
