Planned gifts expand university’s future success

Planned gifts expand university's future success

Ripples of former Chancellor Leo Jenkins's visionary leadership continue to create positive impact at East Carolina University. His influence expands into the future through the planned gifts of inductees to the society bearing Jenkins' name. Twenty-nine donors were honored Dec. 5 for their commitment to the institution's future.

"Leo Jenkins was a visionary. He was a transformational leader, and he personified so many of those qualities that members of the Pirate Nation hold true and try to emulate - toughness, pride, loyalty, commitment to this institution," Chancellor Philip Rogers said. "I can't think of a better way to honor someone who gave so much to ECU than to celebrate a program that carries the legacy of his name and be able to celebrate so many people who have demonstrated why ECU is who it is today."

Rogers said ECU has endured because of Jenkins' leadership, and the planned gifts of members of the Leo Jenkins Society have allowed the university to realize many successes and have placed ECU among the country's top universities.

"ECU of today and tomorrow is future focused. I want to thank all of you for what you do to make that mission and that vision possible," Rogers said. "Your generosity truly makes a difference, and it helps us to deliver on promises to the people that we serve."

Charitable planned gifts will impact an increasingly larger portion of the university as the ripple effect from donors' bequests come to fruition. Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Development Greg Abeyounis '06 said ECU's foundations have $300 million in the planned giving pipeline.

"These visionary gifting mechanisms you have utilized as Jenkins members are not simply a transactional commitment, but a permanent connection that bonds you perpetually to East Carolina University," Abeyounis said. "Your generosity and valuable resources will be spread throughout all facets of ECU and fuel our mission to be a national model for student success, public service and regional transformation."

Coastal Studies Impact

Cheryl and John Oliver, inducted in 2023, have created ripples by investing in the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI). Through a bequest and IRA beneficiary designations, the Olivers have committed a $2.5 million planned gift that will help provide housing for students studying at the Outer Banks campus in Wanchese.

The Olivers became engaged with CSI through their professional lives as staff with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Silver Spring, Maryland. Cheryl is the former director of the NOAA Heritage Programs. John retired in 2011 as the National Marine Fisheries deputy assistant administrator with NOAA.

Cheryl worked in NOAA's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management as a liaison for numerous state coastal zone management and research reserve programs. She served as headquarters staff for the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary and was responsible for expedition logistics.

Through Cheryl's maritime heritage work and the relationships they built working in North Carolina, the Olivers became active stakeholders in coastal studies along the Outer Banks. In 2004, Cheryl was appointed to the original board of directors for the Coastal Studies Institute. She was appointed to a new term on the board beginning this year.

"This [CSI] mission closely aligns to those of NOAA and what John and I have done for so many years," Cheryl said. "The institute represents the boots on the ground type of science and real coastal solutions and decisions that can be tested. And that is so important."

Study Abroad

Since 2020, students from the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences have experienced new cultures, immersed themselves in language and broadened their understanding of the world because of the Charlie and Nancy Bedford Study Abroad Scholars Program.

Charlie '55 and Nancy Bedford funded the program to share their love of international travel. An estate gift will significantly enhance the program and provide additional opportunities for students to study abroad.

Allison Danell, dean of THCAS, said the Bedfords' gift has made the power and impact of study abroad accessible to students. She enjoys visiting with Nancy Bedford regularly to share the adventures and growth the students enjoy after their journeys. Danell said Bedford also loves to practice her conversational French skills with the students who have visited French-speaking locations.

"Students use the word 'life-changing' to describe study abroad. Because of this gift, our students immerse themselves in the culture and absorb this experience into who they are and what they can do in the future," Danell said. "Study abroad brings new confidence to a student, making them see what they are capable of and setting them up for success in the future."

The Bedford scholarship played a crucial role in making study abroad accessible for current students Alana Sherman-Diestel, Mikaela Trank and Delmeera Degoh. The three shared their recent study abroad experiences during the Jenkins Society luncheon.

"To this day, I can't believe it happened. Traveling abroad and studying in France changed me," Sherman-Diestel said. "My outlook on life changed drastically. Personally, I was hoping to gain a sense of independence, new experiences and perspectives on cultures outside of my own. The experience shaped the person I'm becoming."

Through the Bedford scholarship, Trank was able to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina, over the summer. She interacted with native Spanish speakers, traveled and experienced their communities.

"I wanted to expand my cultural horizons to be able to provide a more inclusive classroom for my students," she said. "I will always remember the day in El Tigre, traveling along the water and meeting the vendors. I will also never forget my host family and their treatment toward me every day."

Degoh was encouraged to apply for the Bedford program to further her studies in criminal justice and foreign language and literature, with a concentration in French. Degoh became comfortable speaking French and improved her pronunciation of the language.

"I had no hope that I would be able to study abroad. The Bedford scholarship was the sign that I needed. It gave me encouragement and reassurance, and it was heartwarming and motivating to know that my university believes in me," Degoh said. "That gave me all the support I needed to prioritize my studies and fully apply myself to the amazing experience."

New Society Members

Vice Chancellor for Advancement Chris Dyba said gifts from new inductees allow the university, its students, faculty, researchers and health care providers to live out the mission of the institution.

"As members of the Leo W. Jenkins Society, your legacy and your generosity will sustain the value of East Carolina University for generations of Pirates to come. And for that, we are forever grateful," Dyba said.

Rogers and Abeyounis presented Leo W. Jenkins Society medallions to the 2024 class members in attendance.

Nine inductees were recognized, including:

• Frances Cain '59, whose gift supports the William E. Cain Scholarship.
• Darrin Ficke '82, whose gift supports the Darrin and Carla Ficke Access Scholarship Endowment.
• James Hackney III and Constance Hackney, whose gift supports the James and Connie Hackney Scholarship Endowment.
• Robin Hammond '79, whose gift supports political science and foreign languages.
• Sallie Jenkins '76 '78, whose gift supports the Lillian Jenkins Scholarship.
• Cindy Jennings '79 '03 and Eddie Jennings Jr., whose gift supports the Pirate Pack Scholarship Endowment.
• Suzanne Jenkins Lodge '71, whose gift supports of the Lillian Jenkins Scholarship.
• Lisa Rogerson '82 '83 '08, whose gift supports the Cherry-Rogerson Scholarship Endowment.
• Cathy Thomas '79 '86 and Carolyn Dunn, whose gift supports the Cathy Thomas Public Health Lecture Series Endowment.

Inductees not in attendance:

• Kristopher '09 '16 and Alyssa '10 '21 Arnold, whose gift supports the ECU Foundation University Priority Fund, College of Education Priority Fund, the psychology department and the ECU Educational Foundation (Pirate Club).
• Dixie Batten '61 '63, whose gift supports the Wilson-Duncan Science Education Scholarship Endowment.
• Deborah Davis '79 '83 and Randy Davis '84, whose gift supports the Women's Roundtable Access Scholarship Endowment.
• Emily Evans '88 '96, whose gift supports the Emily K. Evans Scholarship Endowment.
• Charles Gardner '69 and Karen Gardner, whose gift supports the ECU Educational Foundation (Pirate Club).
• Danielle Koonce '15 and Richard Koonce, whose gift supports the ECU Single Parent Scholarship.
• Hannah Morris '16, whose gift supports the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Priority Fund.
• Dale Tucker '74 '76, whose gift supports the College of Fine Arts and Communications Priority Fund.
• Kathy White '75 and Stuart White, whose gift supports the Kathy Adams White Scholarship Endowment.
• William Yarborough '78 '85 and Deborah Yarborough, whose gift supports the MBA program.

Previous Jenkins Society inductees made additional gifts during 2024, including:

Michael Aho '02 and Joe Esparza, Dr. Tracy Appling '88, Dr. William Mance Bogey Jr. '80 '84 and JenniSue Kolczynski '85, Margaret Hendricks '67 '78, William Reinhart '77, William Staton Jr., and Richard Twilley '89, and Avis Twilley.

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