Elizabeth City, N.C.—Elizabeth City State University will be celebrating its 135th anniversary during the annual Founders Day Convocation on Friday, March 13, 2026. The event will be at 10 a.m. in the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center.
Chancellor S. Keith Hargrove, Sr. will be the keynote speaker for the convocation. His keynote address will honor the legacy of both Elizabeth City State University and historically black colleges and universities, highlight the future of HBCUs, and share the vision for ECSU. As part of that vision, Chancellor Hargrove will be making an announcement that will have a significant impact on the transformative power of education at ECSU.
Founded in 1891 to expand access and opportunity, ECSU has stood as a beacon of hope and possibility for generations. From its earliest days as a teaching institution to its evolution as a dynamic, student-centered university, the university has remained grounded in its mission to educate, empower, and elevate.
The annual Founders Day Convocation is open to the community.