“In harmony and trust amongst ourselves
we can convey to society at large our sense
of commitment to the needs of future
student generations, our immediate region,
and the nation asa whole,...’’ said Dr. John
M. Howell at his fare installation as
chancellor on Feb. 4. He said it was a
challenging goal and “I pledge my whole-
hearted effort to this end and look forward
to our forming a highly rewarding near and
far future together.”

The veteran academic administrator who
has been associated with the University for
25 years took the oath of office before an
audience of 1,600 which included Gov.
James B. Hunt, Jr., University of North
Carolina President William C. Friday, and
John R. Jordan, Jr., chairman of the UNC
Board of Governors.

It is up to universities to. reaffirm the |

belief in the values of college education as
the nation deals with tight money policies,

said Chancellor Howell. We must preserve |

the humane values that are the hallmark of
our civilization as our rapidly-changing so-
ciety deals with the technological age, he
continued. “For what will it profit us to
encode countless messages on one minute
silicon chip, if we have nothing of human
value to inscribe thereon?”

The Chancellor also addressed the need
for the University to effectively deal with

the demographics of college-age people as ~

the present decade indicates a decline in
high school students-and the 1990’s can

_ expect to bring a reversal of that trend. He

 

said, “The role of a chief executive officer in
either period is limited to charting a general
course, pointing out the hazards that are
discernible from that office, and working
with the University community as it mar-
shals its vast and varied skills: to devise the
details of the plan of action.’

He continued by pointing. out some of
the hazards in the years which lead to the
year 2000. One of these hazards concerns
the competitive and conflictive processes

between elements within the overall higher

education structure of the state. ‘Private
and public universities are in competition
for scarce financial support as well as for

students; community colleges are emerging

as formidable competitors within public
higher education. When any part of this

education family attacks another for finan-

cial gain, the family reputation is likely to
suffer,” said Dr. Howell.

Gov. Hunt spoke of Chancellor Howell -
as a gentleman and a scholar who was
- dedicated to the advancement of the mis-

sion and well-being of the University and
eastern North Carolina. ‘““He is loved and

‘respected because of what he is,” said the

governor.

The chancellor’s installation ended a
two-day symposium sponsored by Phi Kap-
pa Phi honor society on the theme, “Toward

the New Millennium: Challenges and
_ Dreams.” Chancellor Howell, a founder of |
the annual Phi Kappa Phi event, requested

his installation be scheduled as part of the
symposium program.

De ee

Comments by alumni president
John Lennon at installation |

Contrary to what | have led my family
and those who work for and with me to
believe, | have no supernatural ability to
foresee the future. | would wonder if any-

one can do more than make an educated

speculation as to the course that education,
or for that matter, any other basic institution
in our society might take as we move into
the new millennium.

Attempting to define the mole of East
Carolina University. in the 21st century is
difficult and it is impossible to determine
the forces which will directly or indirectly
cause it to move in one direction or the

other. We can, however, predict with some ©
- degree of accuracy that these forces will be

many, and they will be significant.

Because of the multitude. of variables —

which we cannot predict, we must then
focus on those constants which have his-
torically been foundations of our progress.
Again, they are many, but we can isolate
certain predictable factors. which will help

stabilize the course of this great University

and cause it to attain the same name recog-
nition as is now enjoyed by a select few of
the most respected American universities. |

interpret alumni attitudes as reflecting the -

belief that the destiny of this University is
manifested in this type of national recoe:
nition.

1 feel confident in predicting that our
leadership positions will be blessed with
educators who are truly outstanding schol-
ars. This is evidenced by the man who is
being formally installed here today. One

cannot overestimate the imporatance of |

this factor. . :

| am convinced, however, that one of |

the most constant and stabilizing factors.
which will serve to undergird this University
as it moves toward and into the new millen-
nium, is its alumni family. Few positions in.
life are as permanent as that of alumni.
status. Leadership changes, faculty mem-
bers serve for varying periods of time,
students come and go and become alumni;
however, once you become an alumnus

you are an alumnus forever; the title can
never be shed.

As we move toward the prospects of
increasing impersonalization due to the
age of high technology, the alumni popula-
tion will continue to provide the warmth
and a sense of belonging and acceptance
that one finds in the family environment.
The alumni will be stalwarts of support for
the University. If we can refer to students as
the life’s blood of the University, and faculty
as its heart, we might, then, refer to the

- alumni as its eyes and ears, and ina sense its

very soul, The alumni have evolved as a
viable influence in the life of the University,

and it can be reasonably predicted that
alumni impact will grow steadily stronger.

No group can be expected to be as caring,
as concerned, and, yes, even as objective as
the alumni of the University.

| pledge to you, Mr. Chancellor, and to

those who might come after you, that the.

alumni of this University will keep a con-
stant vigil. We will serve to enhance your
efforts whenever we are given the oppor-
tunity.

Many of us have ares of your wis-

dom and been beneficiaries of your warm,
understanding teaching skills. We have
known you longer than any other prior to
assuming the chancellorship; we trust your
integrity; we respect your ability; and feel
not only comfortable but excited that you
are formally assuming the leadership of our

alma mater. We will be by your side — an

army of 40,000 strong — as you labor over
the issues of each new day, as you dream, as
you build, and as you and your staff insure
that this great University, which we love
and proudly call alma mater, move toward
the new millennium ee living humanity

‘well.

Your alumni wishes you Godspeed —

May the roads rise with you,

And the winds be always at your back

And may the Lord hold you in
the hollow of his mighty hand.

 

 

 

Howell speaks of challenges

On February 4 in historic Wright Auditorium Judge Gerald Arnold, “68, of the North Carolina Court of
Appeals, administered the oath of office to John M. Howell, who became the eighth chief administrative
officer of the University. Two former leaders of the University who were present were John D. Messick
and Leo W. Jenkins, as well as Gov. James B. Hunt, the president of the UNC system, the chairman of the

UNC Board of governors, and dignitaries from state government and other institutions of higher

learning.

2

 

 

Sports Roundup

P First-year head basketball coach Charlie Har-
rison heard all the negatives about the Pirate

basketball program and how it could not win in .

1982-83.
But he didn’t believe that. Now he’s proven

that it isn’t true.

The Pirates ended the regular season 15-12,
first winning season in three years at East Carolina.

But perhaps more important than the winning

mark was the change in attitude and playing style
of the Pirates this season.

Stressing strong defensive play, the Pirates
exhibited a never-say-die attitude with hustle
unlke fans have seen in years at ECU basketball
games. The results of the change are obvious.

Freshmen Johnny Edwards paced the Pirates
from start to finish, but with strong help from
Charles Green, Barry Wright and Tony Robinson.
Edwards, expected to be named ECAC-South
rookie of the year, was the team’s leading scorer

and rebounder, number two in the ECAC-South.
-in both categories and third in the nation at the.

last reporting of all freshman scorers in the
country.

p> The Pirates were to enter the ECAC-South
tournament in Richmond, VA, March 10-12. The
winner got an automatic bid into the NCAA

_ championship tournament.

._ All-America forward Mary Denkler paced the
Lady Pirate basketball team to its sixth consecutive
winning season. Finishing as the second all-time
scorer in ECU history, the senior led ECU in
scoring and rebounding throughout the season.

Injuries plaqued the fifth season for coach
Cathy Andruzzi, losing two starters midway the
year. Despite that, the Eeoy Pirates finished 14-12
for the year.

> Inkeeping with the typical rich tradition of East
Carolina University baseball, last year’s club, the
school’s 50th, gained a won-loss record of 34-14,
recorded the 30th winning season in 31 years,
earned an NCAA playoff berth by sweeping the
inaugural ECAC-South conference championship
in three games, defeated in-state rival North

Carolina for its first NCAA playoff win in ten years,
and had four playes signed into the professional —

ranks.
No sooner than head coach Hal Baird could

say, ‘for the first time since 1977 we have an >
identifiable route for participation in the NCAA

tournament,” did the third-seeded Pirates waltz

through the ECAC-South tournament. But main-

taining that title, says Baird, looms as an even
larger challenge.

“It is always more difficult to defend a
championship rather than to win one,” says Baird,

_ who had led the Pirates into two NCAA playoffs in

three years and a 90-36 record. “We are looking
forward to that challenge. Provided everyone has
a good year, | don’t think it is unrealistic.”

> Many new faces will be seen on the sidelines
for East Carolina University football this season, as
all but two assistant coaches have changed.

Art Baker, formerly head coach at The Citadel

and Furman, is now associate head coach and ©
offensive coordinator, replacing Larry Beckish,
who joined the Arizona club of the USFL as

offensive coordinator.
Tom Throckmorton is the new defensive
coordinator, coming from a similar position at

VMI. He replaces Norm Parker, who moved to.
"Michigan State University as linebacker coach.

Other additions include Rex Kipps, defensive
line, formerly at Clemson; Charlie Elmquist,

offensive line with tight ends, moved up from

parttime coach at ECU; Phil Elmassian, defensive

secondary, formerly with Ferrum Junior College; -

and Ken Matous, receiver coach, formerly with

Wichita State.
The two returning staff members are Bob

Sanders, outside linebackers, and John Zernhelt,
offensive line. :

Editor, Jan Lyons
Publisher, East Carolina University |

The ECu REPORT (USPS 569-210) is. published six
times yearly in December, January, February,
March, May, and July by East Carolina University,
Greenville, North Carolina 27834.

Volume 15, Number 2
_ March 1983