 to our fall virtual open house right here at the Elizabeth City State University. We're so glad that you're with us on this morning. We have a great day planned for you. You're gonna hear from some awesome people right here on our campus right here at ECSU. And plus you're gonna talk to some of our top notch faculty as well as from the people that also work close with our students, our student engagement team. This is Darius here, your interim director of admissions. It brings me no greater joy than to bring up first our very own chancellor, Dr. Karen G. Dixon to bring you greetings from ECSU. And welcome to the Elizabeth City State University fall open house of Elizabeth City State University. And I want to thank you for your interest in ECSU. Today you will learn a lot about our campus, our programs and services, and how you can be the difference at our great university. I encourage you to listen and take notes, participate in as many breakout sessions as you can and ask lots of questions during those sessions. While we are adjusting to meeting virtually, we wish you were here with us right now on our beautiful campus. Nestled in North Eastern North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University is a walkable campus of over 200 acres here in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Founded in 1891, ECSU is an HBCU that is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system. You may wonder why that matters. It means you are a part of a rich legacy that provides access to a quality education at an affordable price. I'm going to share a little more about each of these things. First, I'm going to talk about ECSU's affordability. We are an NC Promise campus. As an NC Promise campus, tuition for students living in North Carolina, so our residential students is only $500 per semester. Let me say that again just in case you missed it. NC North Carolina residents pay $500 per semester for tuition to attend ECSU. And tuition for out of state students is only $2,500 per semester for tuition at ECSU. To make ECSU the most affordable HBCU in the nation and one of the most affordable four year institutions in North Carolina, ECSU students also have access to a variety of scholarships and grants, which means many of our students graduate with little to no student debt. Of course, to qualify for financial aid, you have to complete the FAFSA. And the FAFSA just happened to open back up and is available as of October 1st. So don't forget to add ECSU when you complete your FAFSA. Now I'm going to talk about the quality education you receive here at ECSU. US News and World Report ranked ECSU 7th for the top public schools in the regional college South. Washington Monthly says ECSU is one of the Southeast United States 2020 best bang for your buck colleges. According to the Washington Monthly, ECSU ranks number 11 in the top 20 lists. ECSU also ranked in the top five for military friendly schools for small public universities. This is the fourth year ECSU has been named to the national list by Victor Media. These rankings show that we are being recognized for the quality education we provide and the outcomes we produce. Whether you want to educate the next generation of students, fly the great friendly skies, protect your community, own your own business or be a scientist, you will discover your passion at ECSU. From aviation and mathematics to arts and technology, ECSU has over 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs with several online degree options. We have the only four year degree program in aviation science in the state of North Carolina. You can become a pilot, air traffic controller, aviation technician or aviation manager. We also have a degree in unmanned aircraft systems also known as drones. You can learn more about aviation science along with our other degree programs during the breakout sessions. In addition to a quality education at an affordable price, there are also many things to make ECSU special, things you cannot put a price on. ECSU has more than 60 clubs and organizations that offer a variety of extracurricular activities from intramural sports, academic clubs to Greek organizations and performance groups. You can discover your interests at ECSU. ECSU prepares you to conquer your dreams. There are many opportunities to gain experience in your area of study, get additional support and help if needed and prepare for your future. And size does matter. ECSU size equates to small classes and one-on-one attention from your professors. We know your name here at Elizabeth City State University. You will also know your classmates, your professors, your ECSU staff who are all committed to your academic success. We live to serve our students. Viking pride is not just about the institution, it is about the people. People who serve humanity with a passion for lifelong learning and strive to excellence as a standard. At Elizabeth City State University, students, as I've said many times in my remarks, come to discover their passion and lead to conquer their dreams. I look forward to meeting all of you. I welcome you to the Viking family and thank you so much for joining us today for this open house virtual event. Thank you, Chancellor Dixon. Up next, we have a message from our Mr. and Ms. ECSU right here at Elizabeth City State University to share more about you with you from us about ECSU. So I bring you Mr. and Ms. ECSU. Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our life, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Greetings, I am Nomar Croft, a junior in majoring in aviation science, raining from Prince George's County, Maryland. And I am Mikayla Stokely, a senior social work student Helen Frump. Mr. and Ms. Elizabeth City State University for the 2020-2021 academic year. It is highly unfortunate that we are not able to tour our campus this year, but we hope you are still able to connect with us and feel our Viking pride. This institution is a great place to develop as a leader and a scholar, and we can both attest to that. ECSU will give you the tools to assure that you will conquer the world post-graduation. We hope that you stick around to learn more about our E.L.S.D. institution today, Viking pride. Good morning, future Vikings. I am Dr. Fair Ward, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, and I would like to thank you for joining us today for ECSU's virtual open house. While we would love for you to come visit this beautiful campus behind me and see all the wonderful things ECSU has to offer in person, unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we are unable to do that. However, since Vikings are always resilient, we decided to recreate our open house virtually so you can still learn more about our wonderful academic programs and our student experience. At ECSU, our academic programs are designed to support the academic growth and development of our students. With over 30 majors and a variety of areas, including kinesiology, criminal justice, social work and graphic design, ECSU offers a quality education at an affordable price. Our signature program, Aviation Science, is the only four-year aviation science program in the state of North Carolina and offers concentrations in flight, aviation management and avionics. Rest assured that our premier academic programs will prepare you to be the next historian, mathematician, entrepreneur, teacher, or for whatever career aspirations you may have. In addition to our great academic programs, at ECSU, our number one focus is always on student success. We have numerous student support services, such as tutoring, supplemental instruction and career services that are all designed to help students along their voyage to success. While academics is our number one priority, at ECSU, we realize that a significant amount of student development happens outside the classroom. ECSU has numerous clubs and organizations and holds engaging events each year focusing on everything from international engagement to academic research. ECSU is truly committed to developing our students holistically. I encourage each of you to take advantage of all the resources offered today during our virtual open house, visit with our outstanding academic departments, learn about our student organizations, or visit with our financial aid counselors. The Viking family is always here to help you, so be assured that if you have any questions, you are welcome to reach out to our different departments. Thank you again for taking the time to join us today during our virtual open house and as always, a mighty, mighty Viking pride. I would like to now welcome Mr. Gary Brown, our Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, who will bring you greetings. Good morning. My name is Gary Brown, I'm the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs here at Elizabeth City State University. The Division of Student Affairs is made up of over 10 departments that are charged with supporting students in their pursuits and shaping the out-of-class experience. You get to meet all of them, some of those staff members today at different points in time. It's been said that home is where the heart is. If you hear this morning, it's likely because there was something within yourself that compelled your presence to join us virtually. Maybe it's the academic profile of our institution or the activities that you can involve yourself in or the support services that we offer. But maybe just maybe it's the attraction to a place that is made just for you, for your aspirations and for your hopes and the fulfillment of your educational and career dreams. We want you to know that you came because this place is your home. There are four characteristics of home that I want to share with you this morning. The agent home is for honesty. You can go anywhere else and be sold on something, but not every place can be a place to present all of what they are for your consideration. Today, you will see all of who we are as Elizabeth City State University on display. The people, the faculty, staff, and students here are second to none. The value you get in the classroom is second to none. And the experiences my staff will give you outside the classroom will be second to none as well. The O is for opportunity because here at Elizabeth City State, opportunity is all around you. You can come here and be anything from a teacher to a pilot. And at no other place in North Carolina or this nation can you do that in such an affordable way. M is for making a difference in the world. We not only believe in preparing you for your career, but also to understand how what you do contributes to the greater success of our world. Our alumni have done amazing things and we know that you're next in line. And E is for expectation. There's an expectation that we will do our absolute best to prepare you for what's next. We have the highest quality faculty and staff and I can assure you of the commitment we all have to offering you innovative and proven exposures that will encourage your achievement. Today, you get to see all of that and to know why this should be your home for the next four years as you pursue your dreams. Thank you for coming today. Viking pride, Viking pride, Viking pride. Good morning again. As of right now, you've heard from Chancellor Dixon. You've heard from our Mr. and Ms. ECSU. You've heard from our Ms. and Mr. ECSU. You've heard from our Vice Chancellor and Provost, Dr. Ferrell Ward, our Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, Mr. Gary Brown. As of right now, you have been well informed about Elizabeth City State University, but there's more. We have more information to share with you, but all of the great offerings we have right here at Elizabeth City State University. As soon as I finish talking, we have some more information we're gonna share with you and then I want you to follow me over to several other breakout rooms that we have set up for you. If you're having trouble finding those, just go to ecsu.edu slash virtual open house. We have faculty there to talk to you. We have several members from our student engagement that are there to talk to you. Our mission is to say I'll be there if you have questions about your application process, financial aid will be there if you have questions about financial aid or what the FAFSA just opened or about scholarships. I guarantee you there's gonna be somebody there that can find the answer for you. In the event you don't find the answer to your question, if you go to contact us on that same page, I've gathered some of my other colleagues there as well, along with all of our contact information. So you can reach out to us at any point in time via phone, via email, via Zoom, via carrier pigeon, smoke signal or anything else in between. ECSU is right here to assist you and answer any questions that you have as you navigate the process from application to admitted student to enrolled student right here at Elizabeth City State University. Once again, this is Darius Yure, your interim director of admissions and alumni, alumni of Elizabeth City State University. Closing out this portion of our program as we share more information, please follow me over to our breakout rooms so we can continue on this conversation about the academic offerings and the other offerings for any student who's interested in attending Elizabeth City State University. Thank you and vacuum pride. Be the difference at Elizabeth City State University and discover your strength, ignite your passion and prepare to make a difference in the world. Be a teacher, be a pilot, be an entrepreneur. Be a scientist, be the difference at ECSU. Whether you want to educate the next generation of students, fly the blue skies, own your own business or be a scientist, you can discover your passion at ECSU. From aviation, education and business to the arts, homeland security and technology, ECSU prepares students to compete in the global workforce. You can conquer your dreams at ECSU with over 30 undergraduate and four graduate degree programs, including both online degree options and face-to-face course instruction. Elizabeth City State University is a proud NC Promise campus, which means tuition is only $500 per semester for in-state students and $2,500 per semester for out-of-state students. As the most affordable public university in the University of North Carolina system, you can be the difference at ECSU with an affordable, high-quality education. ECSU believes everyone should have access to higher education and will work with you to provide resources to help you obtain your degree. Such resources include federal and state grants, state and institutional scholarships, employment opportunities and student loans. Students looking for a quality, affordable education in a nurturing, supportive environment will find it at ECSU. At ECSU, size does matter and ECSU's small size equates to small classes and one-on-one attention from professors. Students know their classmates, their professors and they know that the ECSU faculty and staff are committed to their academic success. At Elizabeth City State University, students come to discover their passion and leave to conquer their dreams. Whatever your passion is, you can be the difference at ECSU. Be the difference. Be a mighty Viking. Be the difference at Elizabeth City State University and discover your strength, ignite your passion and prepare to make a difference in the world. As the most affordable public university in the University of North Carolina system, you can be the difference with an affordable, high-quality education. ECSU students can learn, have fun and be the difference. Not only does ECSU encourage academic success, it fosters a safe and engaging environment for students to be Vikings. As a Viking, you will have the opportunity to participate and be involved in the more than 60 clubs and organizations that provide extracurricular activities around the campus. From intramural sports, ECSU athletic teams, academic clubs, to Greek organizations and performance groups, you can discover your interests at ECSU. For fun, you can bowl, play pool or just hang out in the commuter center. Join an intramural team or just play a game of pickup basketball in the newly remodeled Williams Hall Gymnasium. Make a difference and pay it forward. Give back to the community through service activities and work side-by-side with ECSU faculty, staff and other fellow Vikings as part of the Viking Volunteer Corps. Focus on your health and well-being at the Ridley Wellness and Fitness Center. This multi-level facility is designed to help you meet your fitness goals and is handicap-assessable, air-conditioned and contains two racquetball courts and shower and dressing facilities. Additionally, ECSU offers quality healthcare services, counseling services and educational programs that promote overall health and well-being. There is something special about being a Viking and when you think of Elizabeth City State University, you think of Viking Pride. Viking Pride is an ECSU institution. It is the individuals of ECSU, our students, our faculty and staff and our alumni. Viking Pride is courageous, resilient, empowered and the legacy of ECSU. Be the difference, be a mighty Viking. Be the difference at Elizabeth City State University and discover your strength, ignite your passion and prepare to make a difference in the world. Be a teacher, be a pilot, be an entrepreneur, be a scientist, be the difference at ECSU. Whether you want to educate the next generation of students, fly the blue skies, own your own business or be a scientist, you can discover your passion at ECSU. From aviation, education and business to the arts, homeland security and technology, ECSU prepares students to compete in the global workforce. You can conquer your dreams at ECSU with over 30 undergraduate and four graduate degree programs including both online degree options and face-to-face course instruction. Elizabeth City State University is a proud NC Promise campus, which means tuition is only $500 per semester in state students and $2,500 per semester for out-of-state students. As the most affordable public university in the University of North Carolina system, you can be the difference at ECSU with an affordable, high quality education. ECSU believes everyone should have access to higher education and will work with you to provide resources to help you obtain your degree. Such resources include federal and state grants, state and institutional scholarships, employment opportunities and student loans. Students looking for a quality, affordable education in a nurturing, supportive environment will find it at ECSU. At ECSU, size does matter and ECSU's small size equates to small classes and one-on-one attention from professors. Students know their classmates, their professors and they know that the ECSU faculty and staff are committed to their academic success. At Elizabeth City State University, students come to discover their passion and leave to conquer their dreams. Whatever your passion is, you can be the difference at ECSU. Be the difference. Be a mighty Viking. Be the difference at Elizabeth City State University and discover your strength, ignite your passion and prepare to make a difference in the world. As the most affordable public university in the University of North Carolina system, you can be the difference with an affordable, high quality education. ECSU students can learn, have fun and be the difference. Not only does ECSU encourage academic success, it fosters a safe and engaging environment for students to be Vikings. As a Viking, you will have the opportunity to participate and be involved in the more than 60 clubs and organizations that provide extracurricular activities around the campus. From intramural sports, ECSU athletic teams, academic clubs to Greek organizations and performance groups, you can discover your interests at ECSU. For fun, you can bowl, play pool or just hang out in the commuter center. Join an intramural team or just play a game of pickup basketball in the newly remodeled Williams Hall Gymnasium. Make a difference and pay it forward. Give back to the community their service activities and work side by side with ECSU faculty, staff and other fellow Vikings as part of the Viking Volunteer Corps. Focus on your health and well-being at the Ridley Wellness and Fitness Center. This multi-level facility is designed to help you meet your fitness goals and is handicapped, accessible, air-conditioned and contains two racquetball courts and shower and dressing facilities. Additionally, ECSU offers quality healthcare services, counseling services and educational programs that promote overall health and well-being. There is something special about being a Viking and when you think of Elizabeth City State University, you think of Viking Pride. Viking Pride is an ECSU institution. It is the individuals of ECSU, our students, our faculty and staff and our alumni. Viking Pride is courageous, resilient, empowered and the legacy of ECSU. Be the difference. Be a mighty Viking.