Governor Visits University
Hunt Addresses Cluster Meeting
By Lynette Gutridge
“You don’t really introduce
this man; you present him.
Some call him a politician,
perhaps a great politician,
but I would like to say he is a
“mastermaker”of policy in
government.
“It is very easy to say
honorable; therefore I will
present rather than introduce
our Honorable Governor
James B. Hunt.”
These are the words that
Chancellor Marion D. Thorpe
used to describe the governor
at the extremely successful
Second Annual Corporate
Banquet in behalf of the Blue
Chip Scholarship Fund.
Even though this marked
the fourth visit to Elizabeth
City State University by
Governor Hunt, it was the
first time he had seen the
Banquet Hall. The Gover
nor’s response to the new
building was that it is the
“finest meeting facility in
Northeastern North
Carolina.”
It was obvious that the
dynamic and gregarious
Governor Hunt holds a sin
cere attachment to the
University as he spoke to and
about those around him. The
atmosphere was one of
relaxation as he addressed
the audience about the
comfort he feels while
visiting the University.
In keeping with the ease
and eloquence of his speech,
he added that he knew the
reason they had the “great”
University Choir sing; its
because they knew “Jim
Hunt loves that Choir.” He
went on to say that the group
is the “best university choral
group in America.”
On a more serious note, the
Governor discussed ECSU
and described the university
as the “University of the
Northeast.” He continued by
elaborating on how the
community should continue
to support the university-this
university in this com
munity,for the economic
growth it deserves.
The Governor contended
that ECSU is one reason that
North Carolina is the leader
in the “struggle to open doors
for all of our people in North
Carolina.” He maintained
that he supports the idea of
the mind being a “terrible
thing to waste” and that in
many cases “human capital”
is more important than in
dustry. He continued by
saying that you must “in-
vest“ in other people and that
this is the principle
surrounding ECSU.
We are a “knowledge”
and “information” society
where success is acheived by
one’s accomplishments. This
is apparent by the growth in
young adults attending
universities throughout the
coimtry. Again, this is why a
imiversity system must be
maintained and supported by
the people. It is possible that
in the years to come ECSU
could very well become much
more than “the University of
Northeastern North
Carolina.”
ECSU has over 100 full-time
faculty, of which 53% hold the
earned doctorate degree.
ECSU is similar to an in
dustry in the fact that it holds
340 jobs and is an economic
asset to the area. It is a
mainstream to industry and
business future for this
community.
Governor Himt declared
that “ECSU effectivly
provides the education,
makes better citizens, and
builds leaders who help to add
growth to our system.’’This is
the aim of this institution and
it is a success.
The Governor then ad
ded,“This University is
‘special’ because of its
mission, a mission to help the
students who may have had
little, yet these are the
students that do the best.”
In the closing statement by
the Governor, he firmly
announced that, “ We all need
to pitch in and find other
support for funds because of
major cutbacks. He con
tinued, “If you want to see
success tomorrow, you need
to support the University
today; get involved in the
campagin to help raise the
necessary funds for
scholarships, because it is in
this way that the University
can be made to serve the
community.Economic
growth is the key to business
and it is with this growth that
ECSU , the industry, and the
professional can be a leader
through the University.”
The Governor’s closing
address was well received by
the audience who showed
approval with its standing
ovation. ^
“This University
is special. ”
—Governor Hunt
“ECSU effectivly provides the education,
makes better citizens, and builds leaders
who help to add growth to our system. ”
—Governor James B. Hunt
pboto by Jim Reid
Hunt chats with COMPASS Editor