Tassels Turned
Nearly 500 College of Engineering and Technology graduates celebrated in ceremonies
East Carolina University engineering student Maranda Byrd couldn’t sum up her feelings about graduating on Friday in just one word.
“Little sad, little tired, little hungry, little nervous,” she said.
Byrd was among the nearly 500 College of Engineering and Technology graduates who heard their names called during the college’s Graduate Recognition Ceremony on Friday night in Minges Coliseum.
Earlier in the day, the graduates didn’t allow potential rain to dampen their spirits during the university’s Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony as they waved at friends and family, turned their tassels and celebrated on the field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium.
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To view more than 110 photographs from College of Engineering and Technology graduation ceremonies, go to the Facebook photo gallery.
Byrd, who came to ECU from the rural eastern North Carolina town of Autryville, said her experience as a Pirate and engineering major was one to remember.
“It was more than I could have imagined,” she said. “It was better than any expectation that I had.”
Fellow engineering graduate Lauren Simpson said she appreciated the faculty, staff and classmates for helping her reach Friday’s pivotal moment.
“It was great. I had a lot of support and a lot of help,” she said.
A master’s graduate shakes hands with Dr. Harry Ploehn, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, as he walks across the stage during the Graduate Recognition Ceremony.
Simpson said she was ready to graduate.
“I’m feeling excited. I’m feeling glad it’s over,” she said. “I feel proud to be an engineer finally.”
Construction management graduates Courtney Baker, Nicholas Webb, Wade Taylor and Madison Byrd were among those taking group selfies to remember the celebrations of the day.
“I’m excited. I’m ready to be out in the world,” Baker said.
Webb said he would be staying in Greenville after taking a job in civil construction with the Fred Smith Company. He echoed Baker in saying he was ready to start his career after a successful college experience.
“It was a little stressful and challenging, but it was fun,” Webb said.
Taylor summed up the feelings of the group with on simple phrase: “Go Pirates!”
Amid the pomp and circumstance, the college honored the family of Sha’Mari Parker with a posthumous degree in construction management. Parker was killed on Jan. 7 in his hometown of Washington, North Carolina, during a robbery. As family members were called to the stage, the college’s faculty, staff and students — along with the large crowd in Minges Coliseum — stood and applauded.
Dr. Harry Ploehn, dean of the College of Engineering and Technology (CET), made a special note in his remarks to remind students of the upcoming Mother’s Day holiday and asked all mothers and grandmothers in attendance to stand and be recognized.
He then encouraged the graduates to stay in touch with faculty and the college because they would always have a home at CET.
“We are all looking forward to seeing what’s next for you,” Ploehn said in his closing remarks. “… Keep trying to do your best and never give up on yourselves.”
With that, the ceremony ended. ECU’s newest alumni walked from the arena — some dancing to the music — as they went through a faculty receiving line, celebrating with hugs and handshakes as family and friends cheered one last time for the Class of 2025.
To view more than 110 photographs from College of Engineering and Technology graduation ceremonies, go to the Facebook photo gallery.
Engineering graduate Patrick McCullen celebrates on stage with Dr. Teresa Ryan, chair of the Department of Engineering, during the College of Engineering and Technology Graduate Recognition Ceremony Friday in Minges Coliseum.