Elizabeth City, N.C. — Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) has named seven graduating seniors as its 2026 Bearers of the Shield, recognizing the students for achieving the highest cumulative grade point averages among transfer students in the graduating class. The honor places the students among the university’s top academic achievers as they cross the commencement stage May 9.
The university shield serves as a symbol of scholarship, perseverance and academic excellence. The student selected to carry the shield must have entered ECSU as a transfer student and have the highest cumulative GPA in the graduating class.
The group represents multiple academic disciplines, with students from aviation science, homeland security and social work earning the distinction. Together, they reflect ECSU’s continued emphasis on student achievement.
The Bearers answered two questions about their Viking journey: “Why does this honor matter to you?” and “Who did you do it for?”
Michelle Renee Barnes, Aviation Science “This honor is important to me because it shows that all my perseverance has paid off. All the long sleepless nights and endless support from my family have not gone unnoticed. It shows me that anything is possible when you apply yourself to achieve your personal goals.
“I wanted to continue my education to make my family proud of the woman I have become. I pushed myself to be the best I could be to show my daughter that despite all odds, she can do anything as long as she doesn't give up on whatever path she chooses in life.”
Benjamin Isaac England, Aviation Science “The honor of Bearer of the Shield matters to me because it is a recognition of all the hard work and dedication I have put into my bachelor's degree and flight training.
“One of my biggest inspirations is fighter pilot and aircraft designer, Captain John Boyd. He proved that excellence comes from discipline, adaptability and relentless learning. His belief that a pilot must think faster than the situation unfolding reminds me that aviation and education are not just about checking a box but mastery of a skill.”
Charmaine Lynette Green-Tonge, Aviation Science “This honor matters to me because I have worked really hard to get here. Late nights, early mornings, helping others along my journey, overcoming adversity, honed in, and disciplined. My goal was to make my family and those around me proud.
“I’m from the North and a commuter student. During one of my commutes, I saw cotton fields for the first time on my drive to ECSU. Seeing that cotton for the first time in real life really did something to me. All I could do was cry and think about how my ancestors and the others survived in those horrible conditions. They had no other options but to look up to the sky and daydream of freedom. In that moment, I went from working hard for myself to working hard for all of those who came before me. I feel like I owe it to them, no mediocre performance, no room for failure; I had to make their dreams my reality.”
Ethan Ryley Jones, Aviation Science “This honor matters to me because it shows that my hard work over the past two years here and the two years at my community college has paid off. I am proud of the work I have accomplished and know that I will continue to do great things. It shows I can do what I set my mind to, and I hope it inspires others to continue to work hard and achieve their dreams.
“I could not have done this without the support of my family and friends, as well as my professors here. Ultimately, I set a bar for myself and did everything I could to meet my goals. I am going to be an officer in the Coast Guard, and the attitude it takes to lead a team is one of perseverance. If I gave up here in school and settled for less than what my goal was, what does that say about what kind of leader I will be in the future? I was grounded by staying involved on campus. Without the relationships I forged in the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA), the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program (AUP), and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), my time here would have been more difficult.”
Monica Dionne Marrow, Homeland Security “This honor matters to me because it represents the completion of something I started years ago. When I earned my associate's degree, I always felt like my educational journey wasn’t finished. Returning to school was a personal commitment I made to myself, and being named Bearer of the Shield shows that I didn’t just come back, I came back with purpose, discipline, and determination. This recognition validates the work I put in and symbolizes the growth I’ve experienced along the way.
“I didn’t do this for a single person; I did it for myself. I’ve always known that my educational journey wasn’t complete after earning my associate degree. Coming back to finish my bachelor’s was a promise I made to myself, and I wanted to prove that I could rise to the challenge. I’m proud that I followed through, and this honor reflects the standard I set for myself.”
James A. Powell, Jr., Homeland Security “Being chosen as Bearer of the Shield matters to me because it symbolizes my resilience and the trust the university community has placed in me. This honor reflects where I come from and the purpose I'm stepping into.
“My biggest inspiration is my parents. I had to leave school after my first year, 35 years ago, and I promised them that I would complete my degree. I'm thankful that they are both alive to see this day.”
Kristen Marie Priddy, Social Work “This honor matters to me because it takes great focus and determination to achieve this honor, with lots of prioritization. Balancing working, clubs, classes, and time with others while maintaining high academic achievement is no easy task, so seeing the benefits is incredibly rewarding.
“My biggest inspiration is my grandmother. Although she passed when I was 17, she always reminded me of my potential, the capabilities I already possessed, and the importance of perseverance in every area of life.”
The seven students selected as Bearers of the Shield represent the academic excellence, determination and resilience of ECSU’s Class of 2026.