May 13, 2021
Looking forward: spotlighting spring '21 COB graduates
On May 7, ECU College of Business graduates closed out a challenging phase of their collegiate career and participated in commencement exercises, albeit modified, that celebrated their accomplishments and encouraged them to embrace what lies next.
Five hundred and sixty-three undergraduates and 111 graduate students attained a goal that was established years ago, and that would not be derailed by the pandemic. Despite changes on and off campus, the May 7 graduates and the COB adapted to an online COVID-19 environment thanks to a commitment to online course delivery started 20 years ago. The 674 students leaned on the support of faculty and staff who brought real-world experiences with unmatched learning opportunities.
These graduates and their COB experiences will deliver great things for them and their families.
Here are a few of their stories.
Hope Cooper: “I am so thankful for all the memories I have made and the ones that are yet to come!”
Hope Cooper
The pineapple is the hospitality industry’s symbol. Found in ports and waterway areas, they were used hundreds of years ago for homeowners to welcome and invite guests into their homes. In one of her spring ’21 graduation photos, Hope Cooper holds a pineapple. She recently used the symbol in a presentation she made to the School of Hospitality Leadership’s recent meeting of advisory board members.
Knowing Cooper’s story at ECU, she’s a welcoming personality whose inviting passion for the industry has made her an unofficial ambassador for SHL the past couple of years. She even serves as a tour guide for an SHL virtual tour created during the COVID-19 shutdown.
A pirate through and through, Cooper put that same passion for the school toward her college experiences. She was recently named the 2020-21 Outstanding Senior for SHL, as voted on by SHL faculty. She also graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA. She was heavily involved in her sorority and numerous honors societies, and she was a two-time recipient of the Marriott Scholarship.
“Graduating is more than a celebration of my academic achievements,” said Cooper. “It is the fruition of my childhood dream coming true. I have been raised in purple and gold since I was little.”
Cooper is not done with the College of Business, however. She plans to stay at ECU and pursue her MBA.
Brady Hillhouse
Hillhouse’s name will be etched in the history of the College of Business. He is the first COB graduate to receive a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship degree from the College. The new degree is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the entrepreneurial skillset and mindset needed to develop and launch a new venture.
We’d love to take credit for helping Hillhouse start that foundation, but we can’t. He came to ECU as a freshman and business owner. He sold that business later in his freshman year. However, Hillhouse took full advantage of everything the College of Business and ECU provided. His resume rivals any 10-year professional currently working in their industry of choice. Dr. Mike Harris, director of the Miller School of Entrepreneurship, says Hillhouse has set the bar high for future degree seekers. His legacy at the College of Business will be an inspiration for future leaders.
And the advice he has for those behind him? Hillhouse says, “Find your passions and be proud of them. Always look to improve yourself and learn new things; the rest will fall into place.”
For more on Hillhouse’s story: https://news.ecu.edu/2020/11/09/student-brady-hillhouse/ and http://business.ecu.edu/news/2021/04/27/hillhouse-set-to-be-first-entrepreneurship-degree-awardee/
Nikki Jute
At a young age, Nikki Jute knew she wanted to be a veterinarian. So, what did the Laurinburg, North Carolina native do? She applied to ECU, of course.
Obviously, the latter sentence requires another ‘why’ to be asked. And, the answer would be the College of Business. At an early age, Jute understood that the skills and know-how to successfully operate her future practice could be found at ECU. She joined the College of Business as a freshman, focused on marketing, and soaked in the leadership curriculum and industry knowledge found within the College and its faculty.
“I wanted to have that business background so I could properly run and operate (my practice),” said Jute. “I really enjoyed the marketing aspect (of what I learned).”
On May 7, Jute graduated with a 4.0 (and that’s with taking an additional 39 prerequisite hours on top of her 120-degree hours), and she’ll be on her way to join North Carolina State’s veterinary program.
For more of Jute’s story: http://business.ecu.edu/news/2021/04/07/dreaming-early-setting-goals/
Keyshorn Smith
Keyshorn Smith: “The first step is over but there are many more to climb! “
Keyshorn Smith graduated with a degree in Finance. His current plans are twofold: intern with TowneBank in Greenville and start his MBA.
When Smith puts Greenville in his rearview mirror, he will leave a lasting impression. While at ECU, he was involved in the Student Financial Wellness and Literacy Committee, Honors College financial literacy group, Beta Gamma Sigma, Gamma Iota Sigma and Sigma Alpha Lambda.
He also won numerous scholarships and influenced many. Recently, Smith was awarded the Zeke Sigler COB Outstanding Peer Mentor Award. The award recognizes Smith’s contributions to the program and how we went above and beyond expectations as a Peer Mentor. Zeke Sigler was a College of Business peer mentor who excelled at every level in serving his classmates. He served as a mentor from 2014-2016 and graduated with his BSBA in 2015 and MSA in 2016.
“I’ve met so many brilliant minds here at ECU, but this award allowed me to see that I can be a leader, that God is doing big things in your life,” said Smith.
After speaking with Smith, you understand right away that his mentoring didn’t begin when he came to ECU. He grew up in a town that where there was a lot of violence. Smith knew there were other opportunities for young black men to pursue. He started a book club where other young black men would discuss what they read and look at opportunities available to them, whether it be attending college, entertainment or achieving a dream.
“In my hometown, young black men didn’t see a lot of other young black men going to college or pursuing a career,” said Smith. “As one of the few black men in my STEM high school and my freshmen honors class here at ECU, I wanted to make sure that those young men see great things ahead of them and know that they can do it, as well.”
At the College of Business, we’re known for building leaders. And, thanks to the Honors College for recognizing Smith’s contributions and leadership qualities, Smith joins the ranks of many who will go on to do great things.
Annija Veinsteina
Annija Veinsteina
Veinsteina, who hails from Riga, Latvia, is an ECU tennis player and an MBA graduate. She also received her undergraduate degree from ECU. She found the culture in Greenville to be in line with who she is as a person. On top of getting two degrees at ECU, she found time to provide more than 600 hours in community service to Aces for Autism, Rise Against Hunger, local food banks, human societies and various hurricane relief efforts.
“The ECU/Greenville community has helped me in so many ways, and I love giving back and making the community a better place. I feel very confident and prepared for my future.”
Of her time at ECU and her expectations moving forward, Veinsteina said, “What I’ve learned from ECU and the MBA program will allow me to pursue a health services management career anywhere in the world.”
For more of Veinsteina’s story: https://news.ecu.edu/2021/02/22/comfort-zone/