East Carolina University
07/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/28/2026 07:44
State Budget allocates $5 million endowment
State Budget allocates $5 million endowment
Published Jul 28, 2026 by
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- A $5 million investment from the state will match scholarship endowment gifts.
- The Chancellor's Scholars initiative is helping to shape the future of ECU by creating and providing four-year $2,500 scholarships for 75 incoming students each year.
- The university set a goal to have 300 endowed Chancellor's Scholarships by 2028.
GREENVILLE, N.C. (07/28/26) The NC state budget passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor has allocated $5 million in its 2026 budget to support the Chancellor's Scholars initiative at East Carolina University. The funds will be used to match each gift of $31,250, or multiple thereof, to create fully funded Chancellor's Scholars endowments.
Additionally, the ECU Foundation has partnered with the state to support the creation of 300 Chancellor's Scholarships. The university's goal is to have all 300 endowed by June 2028.
The program is helping to shape the future of ECU by creating and providing four annual scholarships of $2,500 scholarships for 75 incoming students each year.
Chancellor Philip Rogers said the state's investment and the continued support of the ECU Foundation will enable the university to match Chancellor's Scholars endowment gifts and pledges.
"We will meet the moment because of this strategic support," Rogers said. "This initiative is about partnerships and bringing people together around a shared purpose.
Rogers described the initiative as ECU's moment to build a mission-aligned model that will strengthen the university and meaningfully support the students the university serves.
More than $1.9 million has been raised so far for the Chancellor's Scholars Initiative from a combination of endowed and annually funded scholarships. The ECU Foundation provided initial matching funds for scholarship endowments, while the university worked to secure state support.
The match was a catalyst for donors who wanted to support the scholarship program.
Raj Kannan '90, who serves on the ECU Foundation board of directors, said the match allowed his decision to contribute to have twice the impact and accelerated the creation of a permanent scholarship that will benefit students for generations.
"For me, an education does not just transform lives. It changes family trees. It certainly changed mine," Kannan said. "Establishing a Chancellor's Scholarship is my way of helping ensure that talented students, regardless of their circumstances, have the same opportunity to realize their potential."
Donors interested in securing matching funds to establish an endowment can contact ECU University Advancement at 252-328-9550 or visit the University Advancement website.
Contact: Patricia Earnhardt Tyndall, public communications specialist, [email protected], 252-737-1505
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