Hello, everyone. My name is Diego Lerma, and I am a senior communication major with a concentration in journalism and media studies. I am also
Jamie Antinore Production Manager
It was such a privilege to work on this magazine as production manager! I’m so proud of this talented team, who helped to execute the vision I had for this magazine’s visual design.
We focused on an art deco inspired aesthetic and color palette for this edition of The Hook. Art deco’s extravagance
the editor-in-chief for the 2025 Spring semester.
This magazine, The Hook, was started by former EIC Summer Mitchell back in 2015, and it has been a tradition for TEC ever since. This issue comes out when we are celebrating The East Carolinian’s 100th anniversary. This magazine has been a collaborative effort by everyone on the TEC staff. From writing articles for The Hook since 2023 to now being the editor, it has been an honor. Thank you for picking up this copy, and I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you,
felt like the perfect style to emulate, as 100 years is a grand thing to celebrate! We also used some paper & cutout elements since layout design used to be done entirely by hand. Before digital design software, designers would meticulously cut & place stories, photos, and headlines exactly where they needed to go when making layouts.
Most importantly, we wanted to do justice to The East Carolinian’s rich past. It was definitely a challenge to try and fit 100 years of history in one magazine, so we hope that you enjoy learning about the people who helped us get to where we are today!
Thank you,
Visual Arts Editor
Gabe Key
Graphic Designers
Parker Smith
Daniel Cousin
Reporters
Garett Skillman
Mark Roman
Lauren Carter
Dakota Hamm
Pel Law
Trisha Rangaraju
Caleb Johnson
Jordan Adams
Tyler Buonocore
Director of Student Media
Cherie Speller
Multimedia & Production Adviser
Annah Howell
Administrative Support Associate
Candy Griffin
Cover Photo: ECU Digital Collections
Carlyn Ebert, Feature Editor, works on the layout of a paper. (1983) 3 The Hook
&Seb Newt
Local band Seb & Newt brings unique sound to Greenville
By
LOCAL GREENVILLE BAND SEB & NEWT released their debut album, LETHAL PROJECTOR, on Nov. 30, 2024. The debut album has nine songs, each with its own unique sound. The album combines alternative hip-hop with hardcore elements throughout.
Dakota Hamm | Photos by Gabe Key
Sebastian Espinel, who goes by the stage name Seb Rosa, is from New Jersey, and Johnathan Parker Brock (Newt), who grew up in Greenville, met online while they were both in the seventh grade. They both bonded over their love of hiphop music. Newt states that as kids, they would imitate Eminem.
The stage name Rosa comes from his love of roses. "It's a very symbolic flower for my life," Rosa said. "I really like the symbolism of the rose having thorns on the bottom and the petals on the top," Rosa continued. "It's like a metaphor for balance," said Rosa.
Seb & Newt's biggest influence is alternative rapper, MF Doom. Newt Said, "I write as cryptic as I can sometimes, but I don't want to copy his style." "I like to emulate the air of mystery around what he's saying," continued Newt.
Newt's favorite thing about writing music is the layers that a song can have. "My favorite thing about writing music is having different layers that people can pick apart."
Even though Rosa didn't get into MF Doom until after his death, Rosa would cite his biggest influences as Kendrick Lamar and XXXtentacion. "I wish I could write as good as him," Rosa said when discussing Kendrick Lamar's influence on him. "His versatility and the kind of music he makes is just so dynamic," said Rosa.
Newt playing the bass guitar on stage.
Seb Rosa performing
Newt would say that he and Rosa are often compared to either XXXtentacion or JPEGMAFIA. "He may not be the one who inspires me the most, but he is definitely the one I end up sounding like the most", Newt said when discussing JPEGMAFIA.
It is not just music that influences Seb & Newt; the city of Greenville also influences them. Newt would cite Jeff Blinder of Alley Cat Records as someone who has been instrumental in their careers. "We went to an open mic at Alley Cat, and he started booking us immediately because he liked our energy," said Newt.
"We owe everything we have done in Greenville to him," said Newt.
It was the energy that Seb & Newt had that drew Blinder to book them for an open mic night that Alley Cat Records hosted. "They had an energy before I even saw them perform," said Blinder. "I knew that energy would draw people in," Blinder continued.
well together due to their differences in inspiration. This can be seen in their writing process; Newt writes a lot of the more hardcore songs, such as BUG RAP, while Rosa writes the softer songs like "Rosemary Dromedary" and "Lucerne", which he mostly wrote.
However, when they write together, they feel like their songs are unique.
Newt prides himself on his ability as a bassist. Out of the nine songs on the album, Newt plays bass on six of the songs. As a bassist, Newt cites famous bassists such as Cliff Burton from Metallica and Justin Chancellor from Tool as some of his biggest influences.
The people of Greenville itself have made a big impact on their music. "The people of Greenville are just so energetic and welcoming," Newt said. "The people of Greenville are just so receptive to any type of music, no matter how weird the stuff we do is."
Seb & Newt's favorite part about performing is the
Guitarist Korshon Dixon.
The Hook
interesting facts about GREENVILLE
By Mark Roman | Illustrations by Jamie Antinore
TheCity of Greenville has been around for 250 years and it celebrated them last year. Everyone knows the city is full of history, but what are some things people may not know?. The Hook spoke with local historians Roger Kammerer and John Tucker to learn interesting facts about Greenville.
Roger Kammerer has been a resident of Greenville since 1974 and is a local historian who has written and published many articles on the history of Greenville and Pitt County. Some of his written works include “Recollections of Pitt County”, “Greenville (Images of America)”, and multiple articles written for The Greenville Times. John Tucker is a historian and Professor at East Carolina University who was formerly ECU’s historian, and was involved in several books about the university's history. Here are some important visits, interesting people, and happenings from Greenville we learned about.
Greenville’s airport was built in 1940 and was leased by the United States Navy on May 1, 1942, in order to be an outlying field of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. Scout bombing squadrons were the first to arrive in 1944, in July fighter squadrons joined them, and in October photo reconnaissance squadrons were the last to join. During the war, Greenville's airport was one of Cherry Point's busiest outlying fields. But there is a story in particular that Kammerer mentions many of Greenville’s older residents may remember, one in which a young pilot of that time is the protagonist.
In 1791 George Washington went on a Southern Tour, which saw him visit the Southern States of Virginia, North, South Carolina and Georgia. The tour saw Washington arrive in Greenville in time for lunch, coming from Tarboro and heading towards New Bern. Washington had lunch in an inn on what is now Cotanche St. After lunch he went down to Allan’s inn, which was owned by Shadrack Allan, a county delegate, and spent the night there.
President Washington didn’t
Frank Lange was the pilot of a Douglas SBD Dauntless aircraft which, at the time, was used by both the Navy and Marine Corps. According to Krammerer, Lange would occasionally fly over the old highschool that stood in downtown Greenville and disturb classes by buzzing by until eventually he was told to stop by the military because of complaints from the school principal. But this didn’t stop Lange, and he decided to pull an even bigger
have much to say about Greenville besides calling it a “trifling place” and “indifferent”, although he did speak positively about the trade that happened along the Tar River and its great exportation of tar. All this is also documented in Washington’s diary where you can find two small paragraphs about his visit in Greenville and Pitt County. In 1925 a plaque was placed in front of the Pitt County Courthouse in order to commemorate Washington’s visit.
stunt than the previous.
One morning in 1943 at around 8 a.m, to the surprise of everyone enjoying a morning walk on Green Street Bridge, Lange pulled off the incredible stunt of flying under the bridge and becoming a sensation for those who saw him pull that off that day.
George Washington visits Greenville
Pitt Greenville Airport in WWII
Former President John F. Kennedy's visit to ECU in the 60s
On Sept. 17 1960 East Carolina University, then known as East Carolina College, received senator John F. Kennedy as he was running for president. Before Kennedy’s visit, John Tucker says a hurricane had hit east Carolina, but this didn't affect Greenville much, and still allowed the visit to run smoothly. Kennedy arrived in Greenville by plane, landing at PGV Airport. He was accompanied by his staff and Washington newsmen. He was accompanied by Gov. Terry Sanford's motorcade and paraded down Fifth Street, where many people were waiting to see him. Kennedy also visited a tobacco warehouse while in town.
20,000 people were at the rally, which was held at College Stadium, the stadium where football was played before the construction of DowdyFicklen Stadium. Kennedy Spoke for 87 minutes mainly focusing on the agricultural aspect of Greenville and North Carolina as a whole. He highlighted how important the farmer and agriculture is important for America and its goals on the global stage of pushing freedom to every corner of the world. Greenville was the first stop for Kennedy on a jam packed day where he visited Greensboro, Charlotte and ended with Raleigh.
On Nov. 18, 1941 First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt came to Greenville to visit East Carolina Teachers College and tour the campus. Due to a mix up Mrs. Roosevelt flew into Greenville, S.C. and had to make quick arrangements to come down to Greenville N.C. by train and car. At the time no trains were coming directly into town, so an entourage of about 10 cars had to meet Mrs. Roosevelt in Wilson, pick her up, and bring her down to Greenville.
Mrs. Roosevelt was greeted by Dr. Leon R. Meadows, President of East Carolina teachers college and Mayor Sugg. Kammerer tells the peculiar story of how when the entourage expected to see Mrs. Roosevelt accompanied by the secret service. Instead, they were surprised to find out that only Mrs. Roosevelt and her
secretary had made the trip down to see them. At some point while on their way to Greenville the motorcade had to be stopped, the reason being that someone's kid had to use the restroom. As if the day had not been comical enough, now you had the most important woman in the world waiting for a little boy to come back from the restroom.
Once in Greenville Mrs. Roosevelt toured around Sheppard Memorial and the campus. She held a press conference at the home of the college president, ate dinner, gave a talk and left immediately after finishing the talk. According to her diary she also visited the NYA resident center in Greenville and expressed how proud she was of, “What these North Carolina Boys have achieved.”
On the night of Nov. 12, 1833 a great astrological event shocked and awed everyone across the United States, including the then small town of Greenville and surrounding areas. The night started off just like any other with the exception of a couple of shooting stars lighting up the night sky leaving those awake appreciating the sight. At around 3 a.m. the real show began, when between 50,000 and 150,000 meteors fell per hour, turning the night sky
as bright as day. People described it as a shower of stars. Kammerer says that people would walk around with their arms out trying to grab the stars, some even thought it was the coming of Jesus. He also says that the superstitious people of the time would go on to the rooftops collecting stardust that they could use in all sorts of concoctions. You can find many newspaper clippings including the New Bern Sentinel which wrote an article called “Falling Stars.”
Eleanor Roosevelt visited Greenville and ECU
1833 Leonids Meteor Shower
THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA has affected the lives of everyone in the world today. Coach Harrell said, "Not only is college athletics changing, but I think our society is changing into a social media world". That said, the lives of college athletes in this social media era have been affected in a very different way from the average person. Since the NCAA passed NIL (name, image and likeness) policies in 2021, college athletes have a platform to grow their brand and image. While athletes can use their platforms for good, in some cases, an athlete's platform can derail their career.
We have seen many cases of athletes using their platforms for the betterment of themselves and their sport. Take, for example, Louisiana State University gymnast, Livvy Dunne and Indiana Fever guard Catlin Clark. Both athletes leveraged social media platforms to bring light to their sport and themselves. On the opposite side of that coin, athletes like Texans lineman Laremy Tunsil, former Notre Dame and Chargers linebacker Manti Te'o, and Clippers center Kai Jones have negatively impacted their careers due to social media.
Pros and Cons
Social media has major pros and cons when discussing the effect on the lives of college athletes. Junior women's lacrosse goalie Jamie Behar said, "I think that social media has given athletes a creative outlet that helps us get to the next level with our personal brands. Many athletes have capitalized off of social media, bringing popularity to their teams". With the addition of NIL, athletes all over the college sports landscape have been able to generate a living for themselves through their platforms. While also bringing attention to their sport and team. Per Athletic Business, the NIL market for 2024-2025 is expected to reach $1.67 billion.
Behar also said, "A major pro of social media in athletics is sports getting traction that they haven't in the past. Take Caitlin Clark, for instance; without social media to push her talent and image, many viewers would have probably never tuned into college women's basketball games at the same level they did. On the other hand, a major con is that social media gives fans a place to berate players after a poor performance. Athletes struggle enough with mental health and confidence, and being brought down publicly is not a helpful factor in this."
"I think that social media has given athletes a creative outlet that helps us get to the next level with our personal brands. Many athletes have capitalized off of social media bringing popularity to their teams."
Mental health has been brought to light by the media and athletes in the past few years. With the rise of social media, the risk of damaging one's mental health has risen. As Behar said, social media provides a platform that fans often use to berate athletes. According to Hogrefe, 80% of student-athletes spend two or more hours on social media daily. Most of those spend at least four hours per day. This often leads to athletes reading things about themselves or teammates online that can cause harm to their mental well-being.
Sophomore quarterback Katin Houser said, "Some pros are getting to use my platform to spread good things and share my story…some cons are that it is easy to get in trouble because you open yourself up to the public eye, so
I try to use my platform for good." Houser has been the epitome of a student athlete on social media, spreading good about his team, teammates, and the city of greenville while avoiding anything that would get him in trouble. Houser has been the model for how athletes should compose themselves on social media.
Behind the scenes
Athletes are often put on a pedestal and treated like celebrities through social media.
"Some pros are getting to use my platform to spread good things and share my story…some cons are that it is easy to get in trouble because you open yourself up to the public eye, so I try to use my platform for good.”
Coach Harrell reminds us, "These guys are still guys at heart, they still care, they're still people." Attention like this is something that the average fan often fails to see. Athletes are people with regular emotions and should be treated as such, despite their platform and image.
Behar also added, "Some things that I wish the average person could understand about being an athlete in this era of social media is that mental health is extremely serious for athletes. It can be difficult to pick yourself up and focus on the next playing opportunity after a bad game, a bad practice, or just a bad day. While being a fan of a team and caring a lot about that team is something all athletes are grateful for, we need to set a boundary between thinking a player did poorly and telling them that they did poorly. Playing poorly and feeling bad about it is stressful enough. Adding in the thoughts of others only makes matters worse. Mental health in athletes is something that I hold near and dear, and taking care of our student athletes' mental health is just as if not more important than, taking care of their physical health."
According to a study by the NCAA, which examined 72,000 social media posts during championship-level events, over 5,000 contained abusive or discriminatory threats. The study conducted in 2023-2024 looked at six sports: baseball, basketball, gymnastics, football, volleyball, and gymnastics. The study found that a whopping 80% of those abusive posts were directed at athletes participating in March Madness, with females receiving three times as many threats as men.
Fans and media members must remember that athletes are people as well. They have feelings, and words can hurt them just like anyone else. While criticism is sometimes necessary, it is unfair to degrade someone just because of their performance. Very few people get an inside look at the lives of athletes, so it is almost impossible to understand what goes on behind the scenes. Sports fans, as a whole, must consider the impact of their posts and be conscious of the effect they could have on the lives of athletes.
A look at the top 10 best football players in ECU history
By Garett Skillman | Photos courtesy of ECU Pirates | Illustrations by Parker Smith
East Carolina University’s football program has produced several standout players who made their mark in both college and professional football. Whether they were breaking records in DowdyFicklen Stadium, making plays on NFL Sundays, or hoisting Super Bowl trophies, these legendary football players represent the best of ECU football. Here’s a look at some of the greatest Pirates to ever wear purple and gold.
Rahjai Harris
The most recent Pirate legend is none other than RahJai Harris. Harris finished his college career as No.2 on the all-time leading rushing yards rank, with 3,092. His game-winning 86-yard rushing touchdown against rival N.C. State in the Military Bowl with 1 minute and 45 seconds left to go solidified his place as one of the all-time greats to ever play for East Carolina University.
Tony Collins
Tony Collins was selected in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. Collins' junior and senior seasons were when he truly established himself as one of the best running backs in ECU history. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 1983 and was a significant offensive contributor during his time with the Patriots.
Vonta Leach
Vonta Leach is one of the most dominant fullbacks ever to come out of East Carolina University and one of the few players at his position to carve out an elite NFL career. Leach became one of the best fullbacks of his era, known for his powerful blocking. He won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens and earned three Pro Bowl selections.
Zay Jones
Zay Jones finished his college career as the NCAA’s all-time leader in receptions, with 399 catches. His 158 receptions in 2016 set an FBS single-season record. As a second-round NFL Draft pick, Jones has established himself as one of the most reliable receivers in the NFL and is still active today.
David Garrard
David Garrard was a dominant quarterback for the Pirates, throwing for over 9,000 passing yards during his time at East Carolina. He led ECU to one of the school's most famous upset wins over Miami in 1999.
Drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Garrard earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2009 and was known for his strong arm and leadership on the field.
Linval Joseph
Linval Joseph was a dominant force on ECU’s defensive line. Joseph was drafted in the second round by the New York Giants and became a key contributor to their Super Bowl XLVI win. His success at ECU, combined with an NFL career that includes two Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl appearances, solidifies his status as one of the best defensive players to ever come out of East Carolina.
Jeff Blake
Jeff Blake led ECU to an impressive 11–1 season and was a part of the Peach Bowl victory alongside Robert Jones in 1991, finishing seventh in Heisman Trophy voting. He played a long 14-year NFL career, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1995 with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Earnest Byner
Despite being a 10th-round pick in the 1984 NFL Draft, Earnest Byner carved out a remarkable 14-year NFL career. He started his career off being selected by the Cleveland Browns and later won a Super Bowl with Washington in 1991. Byner earned two Pro Bowl selections during his time in the NFL and finished with over 8,200 rushing yards, 56 total touchdowns, and a reputation as one of the toughest and most reliable running backs of his era.
Robert Jones Chris Johnson
Robert Jones was a cornerstone of ECU’s legendary 1991 Peach Bowl-winning team. That season, Jones was the heart of the defense that helped propel ECU to a No. 9 final ranking in the AP Poll, the highest in school history. He was a first-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1992, playing a pivotal role in the Cowboys' defense, along with contributing to three Super Bowl wins in the 1990s.
Chris Johnson is arguably the most electrifying player to come out of ECU. In 2007, he set a school record with 1,423 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns (23 total). His 4.24 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine helped him land a first-round selection by the Tennessee Titans in 2008. Johnson's standout NFL moment came in 2009 when he rushed for 2,006 yards, joining an elite club of running backs to ever surpass 2,000 yards.
The East Carolinian turns 100
By Diego Lerma | Photos ECU Digital Collections & Contributed by Tom Jackson
Throughoutthe 100 years The East Carolinian has been around, it has been through many name changes. Teco Echo, East Carolinian, Fountainhead, and now The East Carolinian. With the name changes, the role of the student-run campus newspaper has always stayed the same: to provide trustworthy news to the campus and reader. The editor in chief is a role that has been around since the beginning. Here are some faces of those who had the position throughout the decades.
Editors in Chief pictured from top left to bottom right: Deanie Boone Haskett (1926), Rebecca Alexander (1929), C. Ray Pruette (1938), Clyde Morton (1935), Ella Cashwell & Amos Clark (1948), Carl Conner (1949), James Whitfield (1941), Faye O'Neal (1955), Jimmy Ferrell (1957), Jan Raby (1958), Tommie Lupton (1958), Bill Rufty (1968), Freida White (1964), Junius D. Grimes III (1963), Tom Jackson, Contributed by Tom Jackson (1961), Bob Thonen (1971), Phil Williams (1973), Marc Barnes (1980), Fielding Miller (1983), Jimmy DuPree (1982)
Contributed by Tom Jackson
TOM JACKSON Sept. 1960Feb. 1961
THOMAS JACKSON HAD OPTIONS when choosing between East Carolina University or North Carolina State University. Jackson planned on becoming an agricultural journalist at NC State, but things would soon change. "All freshmen are required to be in the ROTC. And I thought f**k that, I don't want to be in ROTC," said Jackson after reading a letter sent to him by the school.
Jackson backed out of NC State and accepted his offer from ECU, which he said was the best decision he had ever made. During his time at ECU, a professor, Dr. H.D. Rowe, would become a lifelong friend. Dr. Rowe. "I took every class he taught, and when I became editor, I asked him if he would be the faculty advisor for the paper, and he accepted," Jackson said.
Jackson joined The East Carolinian in his freshman year after speaking to his friend Mike Katsias, the SGA president at the time. Katsias would tell Jackson to join the newspaper since he enjoyed writing and was not involved in any activities across campus. Jackson would go to the Wright building and ask the editor, Nancy Lilly, if he could join the staff.
"I had a little office there with a phone and a typewriter, and that put me on a track for just about straight A's through school," Jackson said after getting the job as news editor at The East Carolinian. Jackson would be promoted to assistant editor, working directly with the editor.
During Jackson's sophomore year, ECU's English department started the first-ever Intro to Journalism class. David J. Whichard II, the editor of the Daily Reflector, taught the course three days a week. Whichard would ask Jackson if he would like to write stories for him. "My first real job in journalism was to write obituaries for the Daily Reflector," Jackson said.
Jackson attended the yearly collegiate conferences for newspapers across the United States when he was the EIC. The year he went to the conference, it would be held in Washington, DC. Jackson, along with other collegiate editors, would have dinner with different public figures of the time. Jackson would have dinner with Ted Kennedy, the younger brother of John F. Kennedy.
"Ted Kennedy told the table that night about Jack Kennedy was getting ready to announce the Peace Corps," Jackson said. Ted did not say they could not report on the news, so Jackson wrote a piece for The East Carolinian when he returned.
"Two days later, the national papers had a story about the Peace Corps. The East Carolinian had the first story in the country about the Peace Corps, a scoop, and I didn't even know it," Jackson said.
Later on, Jackson had the opportunity to meet John F. Kennedy when he came to Greenville on the campaign trail. Jackson and the rest of the press would meet Kennedy at the airport during his arrival. "He had a handshake like I would think a blacksmith would have. I grabbed his hand, and it was just as firm as a piece of wood," Jackson said, recollecting the handshake he shared with Kennedy.
Jackson would later return to East Carolina as a professor to teach. When he returned, The East Carolinian had changed its name to Fountainhead.
Marc BARNES Aug. 1979Apr. 1980
MARC BARNES GREW UP in Durham, North Carolina, where he first started in the newspaper business as a coffee boy for the Durham Morning Herald during high school. After graduating from high school, Barnes attended Chowan College, where he got his start in journalism.
During his time at Chowan, Barnes learned to write news stories and how to run the press. "The idea was, in a lot of these rural areas, the newspaper is the local print shop," said Barnes. Barnes would work on these skills for the two years at Chowan. The skills he learned would land him the job of editor-in-chief soon after he joined Fountainhead staff, later known as The East Carolinian.
Barnes became EIC soon after joining the staff, but it did not come without controversies. Susan, a production staff member at the time, did not believe Barnes was fit for the job. "She hated my guts," Barnes said. "She felt like somebody who is brand new to the school should not have a job as an editor." The two would get along after learning that Barnes had experience in the role. They have been married to each other ever since meeting at the paper.
Marc Barnes (1979)
The East Carolinian, April 29, 1980. Illustration by John Weyler.
When Barnes first joined, the newspaper was called Fountainhead, but this would soon change after he became EIC. "I looked in the past, and sometime in the 60s or maybe early 70s, it had been gone from Teco Echo to East Carolinian to Fountainhead," Barnes said. Barnes decided to return to the name The East Carolinian and started advertising it as the only campus newspaper for East Carolina University.
"I knew from my training in Chowan that owning a newspaper or having a newspaper was a license to print money," said Barnes. The paper would let local businesses advertise for a price, but they faced pushback. At the time, someone was posing as the college newspaper of East Carolina University, selling ads and not fulfilling those promises. The fraud would build distrust between the paper and the community.
At the time, the newspaper faced other problems as well. "Before I became editor, I was noticing we were getting a lot of pushback from students who figured that because their student fees went to pay for the newspaper, they could tell the newspaper what to do," said Barnes. The money made from advertising would help the newspaper to continue even if it lost student fees. Barnes would credit this to his training and understanding of the industry before attending ECU.
Barnes said the university and the local newspaper were not pleased with the success of The East Carolinian at the time. "All of our money went to WZMB, the yearbook, and it went to the literary magazine," said Barnes.
The East Carolinian was part of the North
Marc Barnes (1980)
The Hook
Amanda JACKSON Jan. 2005Apr. 2005
JACKSON ATTENDED East Carolina University from 2002-2005, transferring from UNC-Chapel Hill after her first year. Jackson joined The East Carolinian as a staff writer during her sophomore year.
Jackson said she preferred the hiring process of The East Carolinian compared to The Daily Tar Heel, the independent student newspaper at UNC Chapel Hill. "I wanted to write, so I just applied and immediately got hired," Jackson said.
She would be promoted to features editor after speaking with Michelle McLeod, the editor-in-chief at the time, during a class they both shared. McLeod recognized Jackson's name from the paper, which struck up the conversation, "Well, hey, I need a Features Editor. Would that be something you'd be interested in?" So I just said, Yeah, sign me up."
During her senior year, Jackson became the editorin-chief. Going into that year, The East Carolinian lost its media advisor, which left Jackson without much guidance in her new position. "In a way, that was good because I could try a lot of different things, and we could see what worked and what didn't work," said Jackson, but at the same time, she still wished she had had guidance.
This same year was the last time the East Carolinian's office was in the old cafeteria building before moving downtown. Jackson said the staff was
around 20-30 students from all the departments.
When Jackson was on staff, one of the big stories she remembers was an opinion piece written by Peter Kalajian titled "Confederate Flag still an issue?" Jackson said the story was posted online and gained the attention of a Confederate advocacy group.
"They reported us to the Chancellor's office," Jackson said. Both Jackson and Kalajian had a meeting with members of the chancellor's staff, which supported the use of free speech. They would receive emails and phone calls for a couple of weeks until the issue died. "They also made up some bumper stickers about firing that opinion writer, and they sent me one," Jackson said, which she thought was funny.
During her time at TEC, Jackson and the rest of the staff created the Pirate Rants. The inspiration came after a visit to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. At the time, the AJC and a column called the vent. "I just looked at it and thought, well, that's cool. I bet students would have a lot to say," Jackson said. The Pirate Rants allows the campus to share their views on events and topics.
Jackson graduated from ECU with a bachelor's in communication with a concentration in broadcast journalism. After graduating, she worked as a staff writer for the Rocky Mount Telegram. After 10 months of working at the Telegram, Jackson returned to ECU to pursue her master's degree. She graduated with a master's in English with a concentration in technical and professional communication.
Leaving your
By Summer Mitchell | Photo by Jamie Antinore & Contributed by Summer Mitchell
TEN YEARS AGO, The Hook was created with one goal in mind: to showcase the beauty that made up the community of East Carolina University both on and off campus. At the time, the Greenway got a nice makeover. More student apartments were being added downtown. And the new student center was just about to break ground. (Not to mention Uber, ChatGPT, and DoorDash weren’t available…)
Looking around at what Greenville is today, some corners of the community remain unchanged - the Scullery’s chalkboard tables, Wednesday night comedy downtown, the most prideful faculty and staff that somehow remember all of us by name. Mixed with new things that bring excitement, wonder, and opportunity.
I never set out to create a legacy when we launched The Hook. We were just passionate and ambitious students who wanted to tell the stories that weren’t being told. About the individuals, places, and trends that made ECU what it was in that moment.
Contributed by Summer Mitchell
But that's often how lasting contributions begin— with small actions driven by genuine care. If there's one thing I've learned since, it's that change is inevitable. Some of my best experiences came from embracing new challenges, rather than fighting them. So when change comes your way—and it will—don't just roll with it. Run toward it. That's how you'll leave your mark.
To everyone who pulled all-nighters with me to launch that first issue in 2015—thank you. And to all the editors, writers, designers, photographers, and dreamers who've carried it forward—you've transformed what was a figment of someone’s imagination into something meaningful.
I can't wait to see how The Hook continues to evolve in the next decade, and how each of you reading this right now will leave your unique mark and legacy. So, what will it be?
With love,
Summer Mitchell (Falgiano) Class of 2015
years of TEC
Pictured, from top left to bottom right: Bennie Teel (1966), The Teco Echo Editorial Staff (1942), Bob Harper (1958), Jennifer Jendrasiak, Betty Jo Norman (1985) , Allen Groom, Joe Stroud, Bob McDowell (1972), Bob Thonen (1971).
Design by Jamie Antinore | Photos ECU Digital Collections & Contributed by Javeria Salman
1925-1955
Pictured from top left to bottom right: Deanie Boone Haskett & Frances Smith (1926), The Teco Echo business staff (1926), The Teco Echo staff (1946), circulation managers (1955), executive staff
Tommie Lupton, Mildred Reynolds, T. Parker Maddrey (1954), The Teco Echo Staff (1937).
Pictured from top left to bottom right: Fountainhead Staff (1972), Sports staff (1957), Terry Gray (1980), David Williams (1982), Bill Rufty (1968), Fountainhead Staff (1971)
Pictured from top left to bottom right: Seth Gulledge, photo contributed by Javeria Salman (2016), The East Carolinian staff (1989), Tim Hampton (1989), Annah Schwartz Howell, Jennifer Hines Bridgers, Javeria Salman, photo contributed by Javeria Salman (2017), The East Carolinian staff member (2006), The East Carolinian staff (2020).
1920s:
Often referred to as the Roaring 20s, this decade marked the beginning of how industrialization would shape fashion.
Women challenge traditional norms with knee-length skirts, loose and straight-cut dresses and short bob hairstyles. Meanwhile, men embraced a more polished look, with the three-piece suit becoming a staple, along with wide lapels, fedoras and oxford shoes.
Mary Fannie Trexler (1926)
Unnamed man (1929)
Fashion 100 Years of
Let’s celebrate 100 years of The East Carolinian by taking a look back at a century of fashion in the United States.
By Pel Law | Photos ECU Digital Collections & Contributed by Javeria Salman & Daniel Cousin
1930s: 1940s:
In the 1930s, Hollywood films had a significant influence on fashion. Women favored soft, flowing fabrics and a more feminine shape, opting for more fitted dresses. While men's fashion became sleeker, some popular items were pleated pants, longer jackets and flat caps.
World War II shaped the fashion of the 1940s. Limited resources led to more practical and utilitarian styles for both men and women. Women began wearing pants, boxy-cut jackets and skirt suits, while men's fashion took inspiration from military uniforms, featuring broad shoulders and bomber jackets.
Roslyn Satterwhite (1931)
Tecoan Business staff (1942)
1950s:
The 1950s were defined by glamour. French designer Christian Dior disapproved of the growing trends of women in pants and more relaxed styles and created the "New Look." This style celebrated the hourglass figure, highlighted by full skirts, blouses and soft pastel colors. Men's fashion embraced the Ivy League style with cardigans, fitted sweaters, letterman jackets and polo shirts.
1960s:
Compared to the previous decade, the 1960s embraced boldness. Women's fashion took on the "mod style," rocking mini skirts, go-go boots and eye-catching exotic patterns. Men's fashion also lightened up, with suits, dress shirts, and pants in various colors and patterns, moving away from more serious looks.
1970s:
The free-spirited 70s marked the rise of casual style. Both women's and men's fashion became more relaxed, with denim and tie-dye gaining popularity. Bold, psychedelic and exotic patterns also took center stage. As the hippie movement grew, fashion became more about personal expression, with men and women experimenting with androgynous looks like bell bottoms, peasant blouses and jumpsuits.
1980s:
The neon 80s brought a distinctive style, with women sporting oversized shoulder pads, high-waisted pants and plenty of sparkles and sequins. Men's fashion was characterized by a boxy, oversized look and the mullet became a signature hairstyle. The decade also saw the rise of mall culture and the rise of fast fashion, causing unisex styles to take off. Some examples were acid-wash jeans, leather jackets, neon-colored clothing and flashy accessories.
1990s:
The 90s marked the rise of the internet and globalization, creating a variety of fashion trends for both men and women. Early in the decade, hip-hop fashion was dominated by baggy jeans, track pants, sneakers, hoodies and bucket hats. By the mid-90s, grunge emerged, defined by flannel shirts, ripped jeans, chokers and combat boots. Toward the end of the decade, minimalism took over, with slip dresses, simple tank tops and neutral colored clothing becoming popular.
Amy Rooker & Anita Zepul (1965)
Fountainhead staff (1970)
2000s:
The internet and the rise of fast fashion heavily influenced fashion in the 2000s. Women gravitated toward low-rise jeans, halter tops and rhinestone accessories, while men sported cargo pants, trucker hats and graphic tees. The decade also embraced a casual fashion attitude, blurring the lines between high and low style. Mismatched styles were common; for example, jeans were often paired with dress shirts and blazers, and ties were worn as accessories to casual outfits.
2010s:
The influence of social media shaped 2010s fashion. Men's fashion was driven by streetwear and hype culture, emphasizing coveted sneakers, hoodies and joggers. Women's fashion leaned into a "boss" aesthetic, where corporate-style pieces like blazers, pencil skirts, and blouses were worn in more casual ways. The decade also saw the rise of the hipster trend, featuring vintageinspired clothing like plaid shirts, beanies and skinny jeans. Athleisure also took off, with leggings and track pants becoming fashion staples.
Early 2020s:
Building on the dominance of social media from the previous decade, the early 2020s saw a rise in various aesthetics and subcultures. From the Y2K aesthetic to Dark Academia, there's a fashion style for everyone to explore and try. The decade so far has placed a strong focus on using fashion as a way to find or create communities.
When it comes to trends, comfort and sustainability are key. Thrift and DIY fashion have gained popularity, while athleisure and streetwear remain common. Gender-neutral clothing is also rising, reflecting a broader shift toward inclusivity in fashion.
The East Carolinian staff (2017) Contributed by Javeria Salman
ECU Students (2009)
ECU students in Garrett Hall (Approx 1980-1995)
By Trisha Rangaraju | Illustrations by Jamie Antinore
IN TODAY’S WORLD, it’s easy to get lost in our phones and social media. While these tools keep us connected, too much screen time can strain our physical and mental health. Taking breaks from our devices can work wonders for our well-being. Here are a few easy ways to step back and reconnect with the world around you:
Set screen time limits
Waking up and scrolling on social media is truly not the best way to start your day. By creating certain routines that do not involve technology, you can be more intentional as to how you spend your day. Setting screen time limits and scheduling phone-free moments can help you regain control.
Connect with your hobbies
Go to the gym, go for a walk, paint, or try a new craft. As we spend more and more time on our phones, we are subjecting ourselves to less innovation. By reconnecting with hobbies, you can bring that side of yourself back.
Reduce the negative effects
Excessive use of phones and technology can create eye strain, stress, and distraction. Mentally, overconsumption of social media can increase anxiety and depression, especially amongst young, impressionable people. As we connect more online, we disconnect in real life.
ECU Survivor's Guide
Essential tips for staying organized, making connections, and succeeding in college
By Lauren Carter | Illustration by Parker Smith
COLLEGE CAN BE AN EXCITING but overwhelming time filled with many new obstacles to overcome. Many don’t know what they should do to prepare for it. These five tips are here to help you navigate everything from classes to workload to making new friends. Whether you’re an incoming freshman or a transfer student, these tips will help you survive.
Stay organized
In high school, teachers would always tell you when your assignments were due or if you had an upcoming test or quiz. Some college professors will put all assignments in the syllabus or on Canvas and only mention them once or never at all. By creating a calendar or getting a planner, you can write all your tasks or due dates down so you're always prepared for what's coming up.
Get involved on campus
Many new students struggle with finding things to do on campus. It’s their first time away from home, they don’t know anyone, and they have yet to build a routine. By getting involved on campus, you're able to meet new people, learn new things, and find a productive way to fill your free time.
Build a relationship with your advisor
Your advisor will be your guiding light during college. They’ll help you pick the right courses, help you pick the right major for your future career, and answer any academic questions you may have. Make sure you schedule and attend an appointment with them and ask them any questions you may have.
Find the right place to study
Whether it’s the library, your dorm, or a quiet spot, finding the perfect place to study or do work is essential. Unlike high school, college requires you to study to be successful, so finding the ideal spot free of distractions will be the key to your success.
Go to class
While going to class may seem like an obvious thing to do, many feel that attending a lecture is unnecessary and that they get nothing from it. This way of thinking can be very harmful to your success. Going to class allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the material. Professors may also attach your grade to your attendance, and many might even give extra credit to people with few to no absences.
Perks of being a plant parent
By Jordan Adams | Photo by Jamie Antinore
Owning plants is not a recent development. For centuries, people have owned plants for various reasons, from dietary choices to aesthetics. But recently, there’s been a rising trend of owning indoor plants.
Many people, particularly Millennials and GenZ, have joined in on what’s been called “plant parenting.” Simply put, it’s owning and taking care of an indoor plant. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society reports that common houseplants include the snake plant, pothos, and string-of-pearls.
“It’s nice to know that something is still alive because of me,” says Nehemiah Mengisteab, a freshman who owns a Golden Pothos. “I’m actively taking care of another living being.”
Owning a plant has multiple benefits. According to Healthline, having an indoor plant helps to reduce stress levels, boost productivity, and improve the wellbeing of those struggling with depression and anxiety.
Some studies have shown that plants can also improve the quality of indoor air, something Mengisteab agrees with. “They definitely make the air feel cleaner and bring more life into a dull aesthetic,” he says.
Though there are multiple benefits to having indoor plants, it’s not always a simple hobby. Common issues many face when having a house plant are pests and allergies. It can also be a bit tedious tending to plants and ensuring they’re healthy. To prevent this, it’s essential to do proper research and create a consistent schedule for caring for indoor plants.
Copyright Tec Trivia
The Hook is copyrighted 2025 by The Hook Magazine and East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C. It is printed by Morgan Printers in Winterville, N.C.
The Hook is operated by ECU students who are members of Pirate Media 1, an East Carolina University student-led organization operating under the auspices of the Student Media Board and through the Division of Student Affairs. The magazine is produced twice a year by ECU students for the East Carolina University community.
Opinions expressed herein are those of the student writers and editors and DO NOT reflect those of the faculty, staff, administration of ECU, Student Media Board nor the University of North Carolina System.
Partial funding for this publication is provided through Student Fee Funds. Advertisements fund the remaining costs. Advertising inquiries may be send to Office of Student Media, Mendenhall, Ground Floor, G51, Mail Stop 406, or by calling the Business Office at 252-3289245. Inquiries concerning content should be sent to the Magazine General Manager at thehookmag@ecu.edu.
All students are allowed to have one free copy of this publication. Additional copies cost $1 each and are available at the Office of Student Media. Unauthorized removal of additional copies from a distribution site will constitute theft under state law, a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine and/or jail time.
1. Bennie E. Teel became The East Carolinian’s first Black editor in _____.
2. In what year did the cupola first appear as a part of the newspaper’s flag?
3. Which one of the parody names below was used by the newspaper as an April Fool’s Day joke?
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