Alumni News

September 2026

John May, College of Business alumnus, business leader, philanthropist

John May (BSBA ’93), founder and managing partner of CORE Industrial Partners, has built a career leading and owning multi-billion-dollar businesses. The Greenville native grew up just blocks from ECU […]

 9/11/2026

December 2025

Students travel for special experience 

A non-traditional ECU student provided a unique opportunity to more than a dozen students and faculty members this fall. Jamerus Payton is an inbound material flow leader at Cummins Rocky Mount Engine Plant (RMEP), an MBA student and the winner of the fifth annual Aman Pirate Challenge (2022). Payton hosted the immersive […]

 12/3/2025

Investment fund benefits ECU alumni locally and globally

An investment fund created in part to help ECU-affiliated entrepreneurs with their businesses and startups is making news once again. The Pirate Entrepreneurship Fund (PEF) has invested in a Greenville-based accounting and advisory firm, and its second investment in an international software company, which is helping to support customers […]

 12/3/2025

November 2025

SHL Alumni Spotlight: Boris Escalona Berbetty

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, I came to the United States in 1995 in search of better educational opportunities that would lead me to a career in higher education. After earning […]

 11/15/2025

SHL Alumni Spotlight: JoeRoyal Evans

I graduated from East Carolina University in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and business management. This year, I proudly celebrated 13 years with my first employer, Aramark […]

 11/1/2025

October 2025

SHL Alumni Spotlight: Noelle Edwards

I graduated from East Carolina University in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in hospitality management. During my time at ECU, I pursued a triple concentration in food and […]

 10/15/2025

SHL Alumni Spotlight: Mary Grace Lassiter-Kennedy

I was born and raised in Greenville, North Carolina, and attended East Carolina University, where I majored in hospitality management with a minor in business administration. I knew I wanted […]

 10/13/2025

SHL Alumni Spotlight: Elizabeth Ackman

My name is Elizabeth Ackman, and I currently serve as the senior premium manager for Aramark at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — home to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Over […]

 10/7/2025

July 2025

Arthur School alumnus Modlin appears on “Jeopardy!”

And the answer is: “This East Carolina University Arthur Graduate School of Business alumnus competed on ‘Jeopardy!’” Who is Rhyne Modlin? Modlin, who earned his Master of Business Administration in […]

 7/1/2025

March 2025

School of Hospitality Leadership Alumna Spotlight: Emily Willis

I graduated from the ECU School of Hospitality Leadership in 2022 with a concentration in event management. After graduating, I joined the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC) as […]

 3/17/2025