University Archives
Historical Timeline
our History
1890s
January 26, 1891
Legislation to establish institution introduced by the Honorable Hugh Cale (b.1835-d.1910), a black Pasquotank County Representative in the North Carolina General Assembly.
March 3, 1891
Cale’s Bill enacted into law; State Board of Education directed to establish school.
January 4, 1892
“Elizabeth City Colored Normal School” began operations on Roanoke Avenue with 2 teachers and 23 students, $900 appropriation, and Peter Weddick (P.W.) Moore (b.1859-d.1934) as Principal.
May 29, 1896
Graduating class of six students–no graduates from 1893 to 1895.
1900s
1905
First High School curriculum offered.
Spring, 1909
First Baseball Team.
1910s
September 9, 1912
Institution began operations at present location with two brick buildings: Lane and Symera Halls.
Fall, 1912
First Football Team.
1920s
1921
First Collegiate level courses offered.
June 1925
First Yearbook – The Normal Light; dedicated to Principal Moore. A student newspaper – The Blue & White Banner – preceded this publication.
1928
After serving 37 years, Dr. Moore retired effective July 1st and became the first President Emeritus (1928 – 1934) of a North Carolina public senior institution.
1928
Dr. John Henry Bias (b.1879-d.1939) elected second President.
1930s
March 30, 1939
Name change – “State Normal School” became “Elizabeth City State Teachers College.”
May 19, 1939
First baccalaureate degrees awarded to 27 graduates (Elementary Education).
July 15, 1939
President Bias died.
November 18, 1939
Dr. Harold Leonard Trigg (b.1893-d.1978) became the third President.
1940s
1941
Golden Jubilee – 50th Anniversary.
January 1, 1946
Dr. Sidney David Williams (b.1892-d.1974), former Dean, became the fourth President, following President’s Trigg’s resignation in December 1945.
September 1, 1946
Upon Dr. Williams’ retirement, Dr. Walter Nathaniel Ridley (b.1910-d.1996) became the fifth President.
1960s
1960
Student newspaper renamed “Compass” succeeding the State Normal Banner and STC Newsletter. Students suggested the name.
May 27, 1962
First graduating class in twenty-three years to include degree-granting majors other than Elementary Education—Business Education, General Science (Biology concentration), and Social Sciences (teaching major).
May 15, 1963
Name Change: “Elizabeth City State Teachers College” became “Elizabeth City State College.”
1963
Intercollegiate athletic teams and yearbooks changed name from “Pirates” to “Vikings”.
1964
President made around-the-world educational tour, resulting in greater internationalism among faculty.
Student enrollment breaks the 1,000 mark.
1966
Dr. Herman Glenn Cooke (b.1918-d.1977), Professor and Chair of Biology, received international acclaim for his discovery of an unknown species of Chironomid, subsequently named in his honor.
1966
Diamond Jubilee – 75th Anniversary – celebrations included four Presidents: Dr. Trigg, Dr. Williams, Dr. Ridley, and Dr. Thorpe.
July 1, 1968
Dr. Marion Dennis Thorpe (b.1932-d.1983) became the sixth President upon Dr. Ridley’s June 30th resignation.
1968
Office of Institutional Research established (Fall semester).
1969
Name change: “Elizabeth City State College” became “Elizabeth City State University.”
Dr. Williams became the second President Emeritus (1969 – 1974).
1970s
July 1, 1972
ECSU became one of sixteen constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina (UNC) system and title of “President” changed to “Chancellor“. Therefore, President Thorpe became the first Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University, under the new UNC system change.
1972
First SGA President to become an ex-officio Trustee (Darryl E. Morris, Class of 1972).
1980s
February 28, 1981
Basketball team won CIAA Championship.
December 1981
ECSU addressed by Mrs. Coretta Scott King.
April 28, 1983
Chancellor Thorpe died after an extended illness. His final major public appearance had been on Founders Day when he received a standing ovation for his address.
May 1, 1983
Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, named Acting Chancellor by President William Clyde Friday.
June 27, 1983
The North Carolina General Assembly passed a Joint Resolution in Chancellor Thorpe’s honor – believed to be the first of its nature.
October 14, 1983
Jimmy Raymond Jenkins (b.1943-), ECSC Class of 1965, elected as second Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University by the UNC Board of Governors and becoming the first ECSU chief executive named by that Board [seventh Chief Executive Officer overall], and the first alumnus to hold such office at any NC institution of higher learning. Chancellor Jenkins subsequently named “Tar Heel of the Week” (Raleigh News & Observer, November 13).
October 28, 1983
North Carolina Central University, Chancellor Thorpe’s alma mater, conferred upon him posthumously the honorary degree, Doctor of Laws.
March 26, 1985
Institution gains approval for Radio Station WRVS-FM – the call letters (approved June 19) representing “Wonderful Radio Viking Style.”
January 13 -20, 1986
ECSU participates in first nationwide observance of birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 – 1968) as a legal holiday, with week-long series of assemblies, audio and video events, exhibits, and a march.
March 3, 1986
Founders Day – First designations of Trustees Emeriti – John C. Bias ’26; J. Wilbert Forbes; Leroy B. Fraiser; Clifford B. Jones Sr.; Fred P. Markham III; J. Samuel Roebuck; Martin Luther Wilson ’26.
March 18, 1986
First broadcast by WRVS-FM, at 6:00 p.m.
March 3, 1988
Dr. Walter N. Ridley named third President Emeritus (1988-1996).
1990s
February 28, 1994
“State Teachers College” Historic District won entrance into National Register of Historic Places.
September 1, 1995
UNC President C. Dixon Spangler Jr. appointed Dr. Mickey L. Burnim to serve as Interim Chancellor following Dr. Jenkins’ August 31 resignation.
December 19, 1995
ECSU Trustees named Dr. Jenkins Chancellor Emeritus.
June 14, 1996
Dr. Mickey Lynn Burnim (b.1949-) elected by the UNC Board of Governors to become ECSU’s eighth Chief Executive Officer and formally installed as the third Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University on October 19th.
1999
First Graduate programs established.
2000s
2001
NCAA Foundation and USA Today rank ECSU in Top 10 of NCAA Division II Colleges for graduation rate of student athletes.
March 2007
ECSU Men’s Basketball Team became 2007 CIAA Champions. Vikings defeated Virginia Union University 63- 60 to capture the title.
October 2007
Installation of Dr. Willie J. Gilchrist (b.1950-) as the ninth Chief Executive Officer and fourth Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University, after serving the University as Interim Chancellor for five months. He is the second alumni to hold this office.
February 2008
Celeste Trahan, first woman in the ECSU History and the fourth overall to have her jersey (#00) retired because of her accomplishments in Women’s Basketball.
May 2008
First graduating class of Pharmacy students.
May 2008
First graduating class of Masters of School Administration.
November 2008
Lady Vikings Volleyball team captured the 2008 CIAA Championship.
March 2009
Bowling team captured the 2008-2009 CIAA Championship.
2010s
June 2010
ECSU wins $50,000 Retool Your School Grant from Home Depot. The Home Depot grant program is designed to encourage and recognize innovative environmentally friendly projects that contribute to the campus of HBCUs.
October 2010
ECSU celebrated the arrival of Air Viking I, a new, single engine airplane (Cessna Skyhawk) which was purchased for the purpose of training Aviation Science students.
January 2011
Walter R. Davis School of Business and Economics accredited by AACSB Industrial Technology program is accredited by ATMAE.
March 2011
Miss ECSU Alana Simmons was crowned Food Lion Miss CIAA “1st time in ECSU History”.
March 2011
Legacy Room opened at ECSU to display university icons.
September 2012
ECSU ranked #2 by US News and World Report in its 2012 edition.
September 2012
Washington Monthly ranked ECSU #1 among baccalaureate colleges in the publication’s annual college guide.
October 2012
ECSU celebrated the arrival of Air Viking II, a new, single engine airplane (Cessna Skyhawk-172SP Model).
December 2012
Willie and Jacqueline Gilchrist Education and Psychology Complex Building Dedication Ceremony- The building named in honor of the Chancellor and Mrs. Gilchrist, both graduates of ECSU. Two planned gifts to the Gilchrist Scholarship fund were announced. The couple’s two sons, daughter-in-law, and their daughter and son-in-law gave a $75,000 donation and a $30,000 donation from Mr. and Mrs. Leonard (Ann) Carmichael, both alumni of ECSU.
2013
U.S. News & World Report ranked ECSU #1 in the South in Top Public Schools category and #18 in the country amongst HBCUs.
2013
For the second consecutive year (2012-2013), Washington Monthly ranked ECSU #1 among baccalaureate colleges.
2013
Mr. Charles L. Becton was appointed Interim Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University (July 2013-August 2014)
2014
For the third consecutive year (2012-2014), Washington Monthly ranked ECSU #1 among baccalaureate colleges.
2014
Nine ECSU students selected for inclusion in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, an exclusive honor conferred by more than 2,842 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
2014
ECSU ranks third #3 among the top, public Historically Black Colleges/Universities (HBCUs) Green Initiatives. U.S. News and World Report ranked ECSU #6 on U. S. News’ list of Historically Black Colleges where freshmen are most likely to return.
2014
The university’s first woman chancellor, Stacey Franklin Jones, was appointed as the tenth Chief Executive Officer and fifth Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University (2014-2015).
2014
ECSU’s newly formed chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI) reached a milestone when they attained official, provisional chapter status.
2014
The Golden LEAF Foundation awarded Elizabeth City State University a $1.1 million grant to strengthen aviation education and workforce development in northeastern North Carolina.
2015
Washington Monthly ranked ECSU among Best Bang for the Buck Institutions. ECSU was listed as the #1 institution for “The 100 Most Affordable Small Colleges in America 2015″ (Best Value Schools website).
2015
ECSU is a proud member of the 2015 Military Friendly School Association. Elizabeth City State University is one of approximately 1,600 Military Friendly® Schools– institutions that exhibit leading practices to support military students.
2015
For the fourth consecutive year (2012-2015), Washington Monthly ranked ECSU #1 among baccalaureate colleges.
2015
Elizabeth City State University’s bachelor’s degree program in engineering technology has been accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Inc. ABET is the recognized accrediting body of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology.
2015
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) awarded Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) a $956,250 grant to assist in its mission to provide aviation technology and research to support counter-poaching efforts in Kenya.
2016
ECSU is a proud member of the 2016 Military Friendly School Association. Elizabeth City State University is one of approximately 1,600 Military Friendly® Schools– institutions that exhibit leading practices to support military students.
2016
Dr. Thomas Conway was appointed Interim Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University.
2016
Founded in 1891, Elizabeth City State University is celebrating its 125th Anniversary- A Proud Heritage of Inspired Excellence (1891-2016).
2017
Dr. Thomas Conway (b.1949-d.2020) installed as eleventh Chief Executive Officer and sixth Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University.
May 2017
First-Ever ECSU ‘Day of Giving’ Campaign launched to raise $150K to benefit community and university-related causes.
December 14, 2018
Dr. Karrie Dixon was named twelfth Chief Executive Officer and seventh Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University.
2018
NC Promise Tuition Program began Fall 2018 for ECSU and three other UNC System schools by the North Carolina General Assembly to significantly reduce student costs (In-state tuition $500/semester & Out-of-state tuition $2,500/semester).
October 2018
Historic Marker honored Peter Weddick (P.W.) Moore for legacy and influence in the community’s education.
2019
STEM Complex building renovated to house Department of Health & Human Studies and Department of Aviation & Emergency Management programs.
2019
ECSU’s Academic Program Realignment Taskforce expanded academic areas of focus to align with the university’s strategic priorities.
2020s
April 2020
ECSU Technology Team designed and produced 3D-printed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); face shields cost 25 cents each to produce and can protect workers from the spread of virus.
June 2020
ECSU awarded $1 million from NC Policy Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill to fight COVID-19.
November 13, 2020
ECSU received a $15 million donation from MacKenzie Scott–the largest private gift ever given to ECSU.
2021
ECSU generated a total of $20.2 million in State & Federal Grants and Contracts for 2021-2022.
2021
ECSU became a regional site for COVID-19 testing & vaccinations. During 2021-2022 academic year, more than 10,900 COVID-19 tests were conducted & the positivity rate stood at 0.9% or lower. From April 2021 through May 2022, the ECSU Clinic provided 3,962 vaccinations and reached all 21 counties in ECSU’s service area.
2021
Coach David Brooks (ECSU Volleyball) named CIAA Volleyball Coach of the Year for two consecutive years (2021 & 2022).
September 2021
G.R. Little Library established satellite location for North Carolina Digital Heritage Center with $163K+ Grant from State Library of North Carolina.
2022
ECSU ranked #1 Most Affordable Four-Year HBCU (Student Loan Hero).
2022
#1 HBCU in the Nation—Helping students from lower-income households achieve economic success (Third Way). Also #1 HBCU in the Nation—In economic return (DegreeChoices.com).
July 2022
ECSU received $76K+ Grant for Campus and Community Wellness Initiative
2022
Coach Tynesha Lewis (ECSU Women’s Basketball) named CIAA Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year (2021-2022).
2022
ECSU’s student enrollment is highest count in eight years (FY23).
October 2022
ECSU and North Carolina Civil Rights Trail unveiled first-of-its-kind Historic Marker in Elizabeth City honoring Civil Rights Student Activists from 1960 sit-ins. ECSU and National Votes for Women Trail dedicated Historic Marker in Elizabeth City honoring Annie E. Jones, a Women’s Suffrage Leader, only one of three such trail markers in the state.
November 12, 2022
Lady Vikings Volleyball team seized the 2022 CIAA Volleyball Championship for the second time in history.
January 2023
ECSU awarded $2.1 million from National Telecommunications and Information Administration to strengthen & expand high-speed internet access for campus and surrounding counties.
February 2023
Lady Vikings Basketball team captured the 2023 CIAA Women’s Basketball Championship for the first time ever.
March 2023
ECSU Lady Vikings’ Volleyball & Basketball Teams honored by NC General Assembly and Representative Bill Ward.
April 2023
ECSU named a Purple Heart University for service to military community and U.S. News & World Report’s #4 (2022) Best Colleges for Veterans (Regional Colleges in the South).
May 2023
The 7th Annual ‘Day of Giving’ fundraising campaign amassed record funds totaling $153,478.
June 2023
ECSU awarded $1.575 million from the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) to rehabilitate the university’s Rosenwald Practice School and the Principal’s House.
July 2023
ECSU’s new Welcome Center opens which is a one-stop shop for students, including Undergraduate Admissions, Transfer Services, Veterans & Military Affairs, Trio, Student ID Card services, the Offices of the Registrar, Student Accounts, Cashier, and Financial Aid & Scholarships.
August 2023
New on-campus facilities open—an Outdoor Basketball Court, a Skate Park, and a (sand) Volleyball Court.
September 2023
ECSU’s Department of Music & Visual Arts hosts the Max Roach Centennial Celebration and Music Festival with help from a $10,000 grant funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
October 2023
ECSU forms partnership with Wake Tech for academic programs including Aviation, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Emergency Management, & Criminal Justice. ECSU also received $4 million grant under the U.S. Department of Education for strengthening HBCUs.
November 2023
ECSU opened a new Virtual Reality (VR) and E-sports Labs in renovated space in Lane Hall.
December 2023
ECSU students named Gilman Scholars for 2024 to cover costs of International Study Abroad opportunities.
January 2024
Dr. Kim Scott named as Stanford University’s Faculty Innovation Fellow.
February 2024
Academic pipeline created between ECSU & University of Tennessee (UT) for graduate studies in Biology/Health Sciences.
March 2024
ECSU Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program hosts inaugural Drone Expo at the university’s UAS Pavilion next to the K.E. White Graduate Center. ECSU Athletics launches the inaugural “50 in 50” fundraising initiative for student-athlete scholarships and more. The goal of the project is to raise $50,000 in 50 days.
April 2024
Alumnus Major General Richard A. Harrison (’94) became the first inductee in the Viking Battalion Hall of Fame.
May 2024
Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon received the William C. Friday Lifetime Achievement Award from the UNC Association of Student Governments (ASG).
June 2024
Dr. Catherine Edmonds appointed Interim Chancellor by UNC System President Peter Hans to begin July 1st.
May 2025
May: UNC Board of Governors elected Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, Sr. as ECSU Chancellor to begin June 15th.