Elizabeth City State University

Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) is a public historically Black university in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. It enrolls nearly 2,500 students in 28 undergraduate programs and 4 graduate programs and is a member-school of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the University of North Carolina system. History Elizabeth City State University was established by the North Carolina General Assembly on March 3, 1891, as the State Colored Normal School at Elizabeth City, in response to a bill calling for the creation of a two-year Normal School for the "teaching and training [of] teachers of the colored race to teach in the common schools of North Carolina." Peter Weddick Moore was its first leader. The school provided training for teachers of primary grades. The campus quadrangle and six surrounding buildings are included in the Elizabeth City State Teachers College Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. In 1937, the school made the transformation into a full four-year teachers college and was officially named Elizabeth City State Teachers College, while expanding its role to include the training of principals as well. In 1939, the college awarded its first bachelor of science degrees in its program of elementary education. Within the following twenty-five years, the college expanded its offerings to include a vocational-technical program and a total of thirteen academic majors. In December 1961, the college gained membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1963 its name was changed to Elizabeth City State College. In 1969, its name was changed to Elizabeth City State University to reflect expansion and the addition of graduate programs. When the University of North Carolina System was formed in 1972, ECSU became one of the system's sixteen constituent universities and entered into its current phase of development and organization. ECSU is home to the only four-year aviation science degree program in North Carolina. In 2020, Elizabeth City State received $15 million from MacKenzie Scott. In 2026, Scott donated an additional $42 million which is the largest donation in the university's history. 2025 shooting On April 27, 2025, a shooter opened fire on campus during a school event. One person was killed and six others were injured, including three students. List of Chief Executive Officers Source: Peter Weddick Moore, Principal, 1891–1928, President Emeritus, 1928–1934 John Henry Bias, President, 1928–1939 Harold Leonard Trigg, President, 1939–1945 Sidney David Williams, President, 1946–1958, President Emeritus, 1969–1974 Walter Nathaniel Ridley, President, 1958–1968, President Emeritus, 1988–1996 Marion Dennis Thorpe, President, 1968–1972, Chancellor, 1972–1983 Jimmy Raymond Jenkins, Chancellor, 1983–1995, Chancellor Emeritus, 1995–present Mickey Lynn Burnim, Chancellor, 1995–2006 Willie J. Gilchrist, Chancellor, 2006–2013 Charles L. Becton, Interim Chancellor, 2013–2014 Stacey Franklin Jones, Chancellor, 2014-2015 Thomas Conway, Interim Chancellor, January 1, 2016 - 2018 Karrie Gibson Dixon, Chancellor, 2018–2024 Catherine Edmonds, Interim Chancellor, July 1, 2024 - present Campus ECSU's campus encompasses 200 acres (0.81 km2), mostly flanked by residential districts. This also includes the Elizabeth City State Teachers College District. This includes the campus quadrangle, Principal's House, Moore Hall G. R. Little Library (now H. L. Trigg Building), Bias Hall, Butler Hall, and Practice School Building. This was listed in the register in 1994. Academics ECSU offers 28 baccalaureate degrees and four master's degrees in one of the following academic departments: Aviation and Emergency Management Business, Accounting and Sport Management Education English and Digital Media Health and Human Studies Mathematics, Computer Science and Engineering Technology Military Science Music and Visual Arts Natural Sciences Social Sciences ECSU also offers special programs that appeal to various interests and fields of study, including the honors program (for high-achieving undergraduates), military science, and study abroad. Student life Students can choose to be involved in various on-campus organizations, including fraternities, sororities, the radio station WRVS-FM, the campus TV station, and intramural sports. Students are able to join the Student Government Association to help make campus life more interesting for students continuing to enroll here. Also, students can choose to apply to Vikings Assisting New Students to lead the New Student Orientation and answer any questions parents or students may have about the school and campus life. Athletics As a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, ECSU's athletes, known athletically as the Vikings, compete in the Division II athletic conference known as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). Notable alumni Notes References External links Official website Athletics website