Generations of Pirates | Eastern North Carolina Now

Publisher's Note: This post appears here courtesy of ECU News Services. The author of this post is Patricia Earnhardt Tyndall.


Forty-nine of ECU's newest legacy families celebrated the bond with their students during a Legacy Pinning Ceremony hosted by the ECU Alumni Association (ECUAA) as part of Family Weekend.
    New East Carolina University students join a family of Pirates more than 190,000 strong, who share the traditions and history of their alma mater. For some students, the bonds are even deeper. They are legacies of parents, grandparents and other family who attended ECU.

    ECU Student Government Association Vice President Matt Blount '23 is a Chancellor's Fellow and an Honors College graduate student in the Immersive MBA program. He joined ECUAA staff to celebrate the legacy families. Blount knows about being a Pirate legacy. Nine of his family members have attended ECU. For Blount, the pinning ceremony is a testament to the unwavering loyalty and dedication of Pirate families.

    "This ceremony is a beautiful expression of the deep-rooted connection that binds us together as Pirates," "We know that this university is more than just a place of education - it's a home where traditions run deep and the Pirate spirit is strong."

    Blount encouraged students to make the most of their time at ECU and create memories that will make their college experiences special. Blount urged students to get involved on campus, join a club, attend events and spend time with friends.

    "We are part of a legacy, a tradition and a family of Pirates," Blount said. Together, we contribute to the rich tapestry of ECU's history, and together, we ensure that our Pirate spirit will continue to shine brightly for generations to come."

    ECUAA's Amanda Murer called each legacy student to stand and led them in reciting a legacy oath. Family members pinned their students with a legacy lapel pin to complete the connection.

    In this year's event, three sets of siblings were pinned and at least six sets of grandparents accompanied students at the ceremony.