SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE Harriot College Advancement Council endows scholarship for military students, veterans

During Pirate Nation™ Gives, ECU’s annual day of giving, Harriot College unveiled a new challenge to support a scholarship for military or veteran students in the arts and sciences. With the help of generous gifts by lead donors Mitchell Hunt, Meredith Hinton and Harvey Wooten, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Advancement Council offered a $15,000 challenge gift to kickstart the fund if it received at least 15 supporters on Pirate Nation Gives. The Harriot College Military and Veteran Scholarship fund raised more than $25,000 through the challenge, making it an endowed scholarship.

Students often depend on scholarships to help alleviate the pressure of working a full- or part-time job in addition to their studies. Scholarships are a great way to show how the college, and its friends, alumni and donors, supports our students – especially our active-duty and retired military students.

“I served in the Army for three-and-a-half years. It was a good experience, and I met amazing people and lifelong friends,” said Isaiah Jacques, a recipient of the Mason Family Soldier to Scholar scholarship. “Scholarships like these help students every day. They take some of the stress and financial burden off how we will pay for school, while trying to maintain good grades and balance a job.”

Joe Bulfer, a member of the Army National Guard and cadet in ECU’s Air Force ROTC, said, “Many of my peers would simply not be able to afford higher education without the support of scholarships. They relieve stress, allowing students to solely focus on their studies.”

“This initiative is a powerful example of the impact of challenge, or matching gifts, and what’s possible when we work together to support students,” said Ashley Harzog, Harriot College’s director of alumni relations and outreach.

Interested in sponsoring a Challenge Gift for Pirate Nation Gives 2024? To explore ways to assist Harriot College students, whether via scholarship support, service on an Advancement Council or other avenues, contact Harzog at clelanda18@ecu.edu or by calling 252-737-1753.

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