:Elizabeth City State University

File:Lane Hall, ECSU.jpg

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.{{Cite book|title=Five North Carolina Negro Educators|last=Newbold|first=N.C.|publisher=Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina|year=1939|pages=88–114}} 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.{{Cite web | author =Tom Butchko| title =Elizabeth City State Teachers College Historic District| work = National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory | date =September 1992| url = https://files.nc.gov/ncdcr/nr/PK0421.pdf | publisher = North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office | access-date = 2015-02-01}}{{NRISref|version=2010a}}

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.{{cite web|last1=Wadelington|first1=Charles W.|title=Elizabeth City State University|url=http://www.ncpedia.org/elizabeth-city-state-university|website=NCpedia|publisher=North Carolina Government & Heritage Library|access-date=19 January 2017}} 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.{{cite web|title=Our History|url=http://www.ecsu.edu/about/history/|publisher=Elizabeth City State University|access-date=27 January 2017|archive-date=9 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109165039/https://www.ecsu.edu/about/history/|url-status=dead}} ECSU is home to the only four-year aviation science degree program in North Carolina.{{Cite web|last=Elizabeth City State University|title=Aviation Program|url=http://www.ecsu.edu/academics/department/technology/aviation/index.html|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.ecsu.edu}}

In 2020, Elizabeth City State received $15 million from MacKenzie Scott. Her donation is the largest single gift in the university's history.{{Cite web|url=https://hbcugameday.com/2020/12/15/elizabeth-city-state-receives-largest-gift-from-billionaire/|title=Elizabeth City State receives largest gift from billionaire|date=Dec 15, 2020 |website=HBCU Gameday|accessdate=May 6, 2021}}

On April 27, 2025, a shooter opened fire on campus during a school event. 1 person was killed and 6 others injuried, including 3 ECSU students.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-27 |title=1 dead, 6 wounded in shooting at a small North Carolina college |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/1-dead-6-wounded-shooting-elizabeth-city-state-university-rcna203228 |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=NBC News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-27 |title=A shooting at a small North Carolina college leaves 1 dead, 6 wounded |url=https://apnews.com/article/elizabeth-city-campus-shooting-0639ce5162a319b93cc677ba8d9985bc |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=AP News |language=en}}

Source:{{cite web|title=Presidents/Chancellors|url=http://www.ecsu.edu/about/history/past-presidents.html |publisher=Elizabeth City State University |access-date=27 January 2017}}

• Peter Weddick Moore, A.M., LL.D. (Principal, 1891–1928, President Emeritus, 1928–1934)
• John Henry Bias, A.B., LL.D. (President, 1928–1939)
• Harold Leonard Trigg, Ed.D. (President, 1939–1945)
• Sidney David Williams, A.M., D.PED. (President, 1946–1958, President Emeritus, 1969–1974)
• Walter Nathaniel Ridley, Ed.D. (President, 1958–1968, President Emeritus, 1988–1996)
• Marion Dennis Thorpe, Ph.D. (President, 1968–1972, Chancellor, 1972–1983)
• Jimmy Raymond Jenkins, Ph.D. (Chancellor, 1983–1995, Chancellor Emeritus, 1995–present)
• Mickey Lynn Burnim, Ph.D. (Chancellor, 1995–2006)
• Willie J. Gilchrist, Ed.D. (Chancellor, 2006–2013)
• Charles L. Becton, J.D. (Interim Chancellor, 2013–2014)
• Stacey Franklin Jones, Ph.D. (Chancellor, 2014-2015){{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/education/article51039575.html |title=Elizabeth City State University chancellor abruptly quits|access-date=18 February 2017}}{{cite web |last=Hawley |first=\Jon |date=4 September 2014 |title=UNC board names new chancellor of ECSU |url=http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/unc-board-names-new-chancellor-ecsu-2640975 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909031209/http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/unc-board-names-new-chancellor-ecsu-2640975 |archive-date=9 September 2014 |work=The Daily Advance |location=Elizabeth City, NC |access-date=18 May 2021}}
• Thomas Conway, Ph.D. (Interim Chancellor, January 1, 2016 - 2018)
• Karrie Gibson Dixon, Ed.D. (Chancellor, 2018–2024){{Cite web|url=https://www.jbhe.com/2018/12/the-new-chancellor-of-elizabeth-city-state-university-in-north-carolina/ |title=The New Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina|date=Dec 24, 2018|accessdate=May 6, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Dr. Karrie Dixon elected chancellor of North Carolina Central University |url=https://www.northcarolina.edu/news/dr-karrie-dixon-elected-chancellor-of-north-carolina-central-university/ |website=University of North Carolina System |access-date=11 December 2024}}
• Catherine Edmonds, E.d.D. (Interim Chancellor, July 1, 2024 - present){{cite web |title=Meet the Interim Chancellor Dr. Catherine Edmonds |url=https://www.ecsu.edu/about/leadership/chancellor-bio.php |website=Elizabeth City State University |access-date=11 December 2024}}

Image:Ecsusign.jpgECSU's campus encompasses {{convert|200|acre|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.

^

ECSU offers 28 baccalaureate degrees and four master's degrees in one of the following academic departments:{{cite web|url=http://www.ecsu.edu/academics/index.html|title=Academic Affairs|access-date=18 February 2017|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031072638/https://www.ecsu.edu/academics/index.html|url-status=dead}}

• 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.University has programs that appeal to various interests and fields of study, including the honors program, military science, study abroad and Viking Fellows for education majors.

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.{{cite web|title=Student Life|url=http://www.ecsu.edu/current-students/student-affairs/student-life/index.html |publisher=Elizabeth City State University |access-date=27 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202061419/http://www.ecsu.edu/current-students/student-affairs/student-life/index.html|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=dead}} 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.

{{main|Elizabeth City State Vikings}}

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).

{{AlumniStart}}

{{Alum|name=Reggie Langhorne|year=1984|nota=Former NFL wide receiver|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Anthony Hilliard|year=2009|nota=Professional basketball player|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Larry Johnson, Sr.|year=1973|nota=Former NFL linebacker, current assistant head coach at The Ohio State University; six-time Maryland high school Coach of the Year|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Jethro Pugh|year=1964|nota=Former NFL defensive tackle|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Mike Gale|year=1970|nota=Former professional basketball player in both the ABA and the NBA|ref={{cite web|title=NBA/ABA Players who attended Elizabeth City State University |publisher=databaseSports.com |url=http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/bycollege.htm?sch=Elizabeth+City+State+University |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060506074315/http://www.databasebasketball.com/players/bycollege.htm?sch=Elizabeth+City+State+University |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-05-06 |access-date=2008-04-05 }}}}

{{Alum|name=Johnnie Walton|year=1975|nota=Former NFL quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Boston Breakers of the USFL.|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Everett McIver|year=1993|nota=Former NFL offensive guard|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Bobby Futrell|year=1985|nota=Former NFL defensive back|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Tim Cofield|year=1985|nota=Former NFL and CFL linebacker|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Stanley Bryant|year=|nota=Former NFL and current CFL offensive lineman|ref=}}

{{Alum|name=Omari Salisbury|year=|nota=Journalist, videographer, founder of Converge Media|ref={{Cite web|date=2020-11-13|title=Converge Media's Omari Salisbury in Conversation with KING 5's Joyce Taylor This Saturday|url=https://southseattleemerald.com/2020/11/13/converge-medias-omari-salisbury-in-conversation-with-king-5s-joyce-taylor-this-saturday/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=South Seattle Emerald|language=en-US}}}}

{{Alum|name=Kenny Williams|year=|nota=Professional basketball player|ref=}}

{{AlumniEnd}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{official website}}
• [https://ecsuvikings.com/ Athletics website]

{{University of North Carolina}}

{{HBCU}}

{{Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund}}

{{Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association navbox}}

{{authority control}}

Category:1891 establishments in North Carolina

Category:Buildings and structures in Pasquotank County, North Carolina

Category:Education in Pasquotank County, North Carolina

Category:Universities and colleges established in 1891

Category:Historically black universities and colleges in North Carolina

Category:Liberal arts colleges in North Carolina

Category:Public universities and colleges in North Carolina

Category:Universities and colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Category:Aviation schools in the United States