Pattie Simmons Dowell, a native of Williamston, volunteered to be the first student to register in the fall of 1909. During her two years at ECTTS, Dowell served as the founding president of the Young Women’s Christian Association. Dowell later became the first graduate of ECTTS to earn a BS, completed at Peabody College, and an MA, completed at North Carolina State College. Dowell was also the first ECTTS student to earn a doctorate, finishing her EdD at New York University. While teaching at East Carolina from 1923-1924, Dowell served as president of the Alumni Association.