ECU holds historic day of fundraising

ECU holds historic day of fundraising

GREENVILLE, N.C. (3/9/2026) - East Carolina University's 10th annual Pirate Nation Gives raised more than $12.2 million for the institution - the most in event history.

More than 2,800 donors gave during the 24-hour fundraising effort on March 4, setting a milestone annual day of giving.

Giving was led by ECU alumni, who represented 30% of the day's donors. More than 700 donors gave for the first time. Twenty-five percent of donors were students. Faculty and staff represented 22% of the day's donors.

"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."

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.

The Chancellor's Scholars Initiative is a top priority of ECU and support for the ECU Foundation Board Chancellor's Scholars 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.

Contact: Patricia Earnhardt Tyndall, Public Communications Specialist, [email protected]

Telephone: 252-737-1505

-

About East Carolina University

Founded in 1907 as a teacher's college, East Carolina University (ECU) is a Carnegie R1 designated research institution that is a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation. ECU is a member of the University of North Carolina System and serves nearly 27,000 students through more than 160 degree programs. The university advances innovation and discovery in health care, coastal resilience, education and regional economic growth. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU is committed to being a national leader in community-focused innovation, bringing meaningful impact across the state and nation.

###

East Carolina University News Services

Howard House, 1001 E. Fifth Street

Greenville, NC 27858

[email protected]

Phone: 252-328-6481