ECU Studnets Excel | Eastern NC Now

    Publisher's note: This article, by Alexa DeCarr, was originally published in ECU News Services.

Ceremonies grow to include parents and families

    East Carolina University freshmen and transfer students who earned a 3.0 GPA or higher during the fall semester will be recognized for their academic achievements on Feb. 1 and 8 as part of the annual ECU EXCELS program.

    Nine colleges and the major advisement program for students who have yet to declare a major will hold ceremonies to honor the students within its department.

    According to Stephanie Bailey, an academic advisor and coordinator of the EXCELS program, 2,209, or 41 percent, of first-time freshmen and transfer students made the honor roll, dean's list or chancellor's list during the fall. Among these students, the average GPA was a 3.5 out of a possible 4.0.

    This is the fourth year the program has acknowledged the academic achievement of first-time students. However, this year, the parents and families of students are invited to attend the ceremonies.

    "It will allow both students and their families to make connections early on with the students' department, instructors and student organizations," Bailey said.

    Families will be attending from throughout the state and east coast, with at least one family traveling from Massachusetts.

    The program is designed, in part, to help retain high-achieving students who may otherwise transfer institutions after a semester.

    "We know we have some students who come to ECU to improve their GPA before transferring to their number one school choice," Bailey said. "We want them to know they are in a great program, a competitive program."

    Bailey said over the past four years retention rates have been "going up and holding strong."

    •   Eight departments will hold ceremonies Feb. 1:
    •   College of Allied Health, 3-5 p.m. in College of Allied Health Sciences lobby
    •   College of Business, 1-4 p.m. in Bate 3015
    •   College of Education, 3-5 p.m. in Murphy Center multipurpose room
    •   College of Human Ecology, 3-5 p.m. in Rivers West, room 105A
    •   College of Nursing, 3-5 p.m. in College of Nursing, room 1102
    •   Fine Arts and Communication, 4-5:30 p.m. in Fletcher Recital Hall
    •   Health & Human Performance, 2-4 p.m. in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium's club level
    •   Major advisement program, 3-5 p.m. in Pirate Tutoring Center
    •   The remaining two departments will hold ceremonies Feb. 8:
    •   College of Technology and Computer Science, 2-4 p.m. Science & Technology atrium
    •   Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, 3:30-5 p.m., Croatan Green Room.

    For more information, contact Stephanie Bailey, ECU EXCELS coordinator, (252) 328-6001 or baileyst@ecu.edu.