Winter 2024-25
CORNERSTONE MESSAGE FROM DEAN ALLISON S. DANELL
Hello, and I hope this communication finds you happy and healthy as we kick off 2025! I am finding many reasons to smile, as shown in the joyful moment captured in the photograph here. The occasion for this happy picture was the Leo Jenkins Society luncheon, an annual event at which the many positive effects of planned gifts are celebrated. Current ECU students Lani and Delmeera are two of many Harriot College students whose study abroad experiences have been supported through generous support from Charlie ’55 and Nancy Bedford. Before the luncheon, they had a video meeting with Mrs. Bedford, during which they conversed in French and learned more about the legacy of Mr. Bedford. You can see them and other students featured in a video attesting to the power of Lani Sherman-Diestel, Ashley Harzog, Delmeera Degoh and Dean Allison Danell (Photo by George Crocker) these study-abroad scholarships. Go to the Support tab on our college website and click on College Priorities, where you will see the video under Study Abroad. This issue of our newsletter includes several other accounts of transformational charitable giving from alumni and faculty alike and moving stories about other wonderful members of Pirate Nation™ sharing knowledge and inspiring action. This is just a snapshot of the impressive productivity among our researchers, scholars, and creative leaders that provides significant recognition for ECU on the national stage. Stay tuned to our university website and social media accounts for more on other exciting upcoming developments that make ECU truly special!
Sarah Pettyjohn
Graduate student in Geography “The most enjoyable experience I have had at ECU is the collaboration with other students and faculty across multiple departments. It has allowed me to develop valuable professional skills and a well-rounded graduate education.”
Conducts research under the direction of Dr. Hannah Sirianni on the resiliency of coastal communities in North Carolina Uses drone technology to perform seasonal surveys and observe how islands with limited sediment respond to storms Hopes her data collection will inform critical policy decisions regarding habitat change and erosion Earned recognition and financial support as an ECU Water Scholar, and gained professional experience presenting at the 2024 American Geophysical Union (AGU) Conference Member of the AGU and the American Association of Geographers, Eastern North Carolina chapter of Graduate Women in Science and ECU chapter of the Coastal Society
Dr. Jason M. Pudlo Assistant Professor Department of Political Science
“Harriot College is a great environment to be a professor. The Department of Political Science is tremendously supportive, and the collaborative environment at ECU has been energizing. The range of knowledge, resources and skills at ECU meaningfully improves my research in community resiliency.” Expert in community and organization disaster preparedness and resilience, disaster and risk communication, and is interested in the intersection of religion, climate and disasters Working on quick-response research with communities and faith-based organizations in western North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene Collaborates with the ECU Water Resources Center and Coastal Studies Institute on state-funded research projects studying and improving community resiliency and development Explores ways to improve efficiency at local emergency communication centers and designed a toolkit for organizations to use for disaster readiness Member of research groups studying impacts of crises during extreme weather and on vulnerable communities