Celestial “Jynx” Pigart, a Badin resident, is one of the 20 East Carolina University students to be named a Residential Scholar for the 2018-19 year.

Pigart is in her junior year at ECU and plans to earn a degree in biology.

The Residential Scholars program is a scholarship offered by ECU Campus Living and provides a $4,000 annual stipend to students that maintain a 3.0 GPA, live on campus and participate in leadership and community service activities.

The ECU Residential Scholar Program was the first merit-based residential scholarship program established on the East Carolina University campus.

The program was founded to encourage students who are active members of their campus and local community to remain a part of the on-campus community.

The Residential Scholars program provides an undergraduate experience that offers students access to community leaders who mentor and share life experiences as well as a continued involvement with campus and community endeavors. The program is entering its eighth year.

“It’s the little things that make you proud to be a Pirate,” said Pigart. “ECU makes a large effort to feel like home for every single student.”

As a member of the Residential Scholar Program, students must be actively involved in campus life and community service activities and are expected to participate in at least two group community service activities plus one of the service trips that takes place over either fall or spring break.

Additionally, the Residential Scholars enjoy a monthly dinner where keynote speakers such as ECU’s chancellor and vice chancellors as well as ECU alumni and local business leaders share their professional leadership experiences and life lessons. Scholars also get the opportunity to engage and interact with these leaders.

Campus Living receives approximately 100 applications per year for the scholarship with 20 students receiving the annual scholarship.

“The Residential Scholars program allows us to keep our best and brightest students on campus as role models for new freshman to emulate.” said Bill McCartney, ECU associate vice chancellor for campus living. “Former students have gone on to medical school, dental school, earn MBAs and serve as officers in the military where they will continue to make contributions to help others.”