Tenth Pirate Nation Gives raises historic $12M

Tenth Pirate Nation Gives raises historic $12M

East Carolina University was building up to something big for its 10th Pirate Nation Gives (PNG). Alumni and supporters from around the globe met that idea with tremendous support and made the university's milestone annual day of giving a historic success.

More than 2,800 donors gave more than $12.2 million, making the 10th PNG the most successful of the decade.

"Pirate Nation showed what is possible when we all come together with purpose. The future of the university is stronger because of the tremendous support we have received during this milestone fundraising event," Chancellor Philip Rogers said. "The incredible generosity of Pirates strengthens scholarships, fuels innovation and creates opportunity for our students to succeed. Thank you Pirate Nation, for building lasting impact at ECU."

More than 90 individuals, families and organizations led giving efforts as PNG champions, pledging support of $5,000 or more and making donations ahead of the event. Many established challenges for donors, which, when fulfilled, unlocked additional gifts supporting scholarships and programs across all disciplines.

Ten notable public gifts, this year, include:

• The Harold H. Bate Foundation Inc. donated $858,000 in honor of long-term ECU donor, Harold H. Bate, and supporting Bate programs, including Access scholarships, Service Days, Student Retention Fund, Learning Assistants Program, Chancellor's Excellence Fund and the ECU Athletics Purple and Gold fund.
• The Bryan Family, whose $600,000 gift supports the Bryan Honors College Student Enrichment Fund in the ECU Honors College.
• Frank Byungura, whose $500,000 gift supports the Studio 925 Pirate Media 1 Priority Fund.
• Mary Katherine Lawrence Family Foundation, whose $175,000 gift supports the Lawrence & Klose Scholarship in the Brody School of Medicine.
• Sean '92 and Andrea Smith, whose gift of $105,000 supports the Blacksail Fund within the College of Business and the Smith Family Scholarship in Entrepreneurship.
• Tom Franklin, whose $43,655 gift honors his late wife, Annie Franklin.
• Rodney Blacknall '86, whose gift of $41,250 supports the Blacknall Family Chancellor's Scholar Endowment.
• A. Loving Foundation, whose $28,550 gift supports the T.A. Loving Scholarship for Construction Management in the College of Engineering and Technology.
• Corin Lindsay '08 '10, whose $20,000 gift supports both Lindsay Family Chancellor's Scholar Funds.
• The Gorall Family, whose $10,000 gift supports the ECU Community School Priority Fund.

Throughout Wednesday, leaderboards on the Pirate Nation Gives (PNG) website tracked support for areas of campus and encouraged giving with a competitive spirit. Numerous social media challenges gave participants the opportunity to win bonus money for their favorite ECU area or fund.

The Chancellor's Scholars Program is a top priority of ECU and support for the ECU Foundation Board Chancellor's Scholar Endowment surpassed its donor goal with 37 gifts raising more than $19,000 and unlocking $31,250 in additional gifts.

The College of Business led the day in donor support with 407 donors raising $1,845,300. Support for the ECU Health Foundation (health sciences) was strong with gifts supporting the new Center for Medical Education helping to drive their leaderboard activities at $2,383,317.

Notable highlights of the day included:

• More than 700 donors gave for the first time.
• Thirty percent of donors were ECU alumni.
• Faculty and staff represented 22% of the day's donors.
• Students represented 25% of the day's donors.

Students competed in challenges to support their college or school and student clubs. Competition was fierce for students participating in the search for PeeDee's Mateys stuffed toys. Each finder earned $500 for the program of their choice.

Units, colleges and schools across campus celebrated PNG with special activities and themed events, including:

• The College of Fine Arts and Communication held a high-impact experiences challenge to kick off an alternative spring break experience for students. The goal of 15 donors unlocked a $5,000 bonus to help students with trip expenses.
• Staff, faculty and students enjoyed a beautiful day outdoors in support of PNG. Dirk Lumbard held a tap class outside at Messick to promote the School of Theater and Dance. The Honors College celebrated throughout the day with lunch, a building block competition, lawn games and prizes for participants.
• The College of Business Arthur School hosted a baby goat cuddle time, encouraging participants to scan the giving code to spend time with the goats.
• In the College of Engineering and Technology, Dr. Stephanie George, interim dean of the college, delivered doughnuts to classrooms as donations to the Fuel the Future of Innovation Challenge continued to grow. The Department of Engineering recorded the highest number of donors among the college's departments, earning engineering students a special doughnut delivery at the end of the day. In total, George handed out more than 180 doughnuts to students across the college.
• Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences staff and students invited supporters to measure their participation by visits with K-9 Officer Barkley from the Pitt County Sheriff's Department.
• ECU Health Foundation and the colleges and schools of the health sciences kicked off PNG awareness and activities last week with a student participation drive.
• The College of Education held a pickleball tournament on Friday to start their fundraising efforts.

For more information about the many ways to give to ECU, visit ECU University Advancement.

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