College celebrates Fall 2025 graduates

With an interest in medicine and a passion for math, McKinzie Tucker added the two and came up with an engineering degree from East Carolina University.

To that end, she’s already enrolled in ECU’s graduate school to obtain her master’s in biomedical engineering. But of more immediate concern is her 21st birthday on Sunday.

“I’m probably just going to hang out with my family — nothing too crazy,” she said of the dual occasions.

Engineering graduates pose for a picture before the College of Engineering and Technology Graduate Recognition Ceremony in Minges Coliseum.

The Winterville native attended early college and came to ECU as part of the PIRATES engineering scholars program. She said that program, spearheaded by Dr. Ricky Castles, and the relationships she developed through it are some of her fondest memories of ECU.

“We would have weekly meetings, and just being able to connect with other engineers like that and develop friendships that I’m going to have throughout grad school was super,” Tucker said. “It was also super nice to always have Dr. Castles asking how they can best support us because engineering is not the easiest major.”

She said she came to ECU because the general engineering degree program with seven available concentrations provided flexibility for her future.

“I wasn’t stuck in one concentration. I learned them all,” Tucker said. “I can work in my desired field, but I could always go work in a mechanical field or I could work an electrical job. Just having that flexibility to work as an engineer basically anywhere is super nice.”

Annabel Hayes has a similar story. The Stokesdale resident said the PIRATES engineering scholarship sealed her decision to attend ECU, crediting Castles for leading a program that benefited her and her fellow scholars.

“He did a lot of outside-of-school stuff like engineering challenges, and we became a core group. It was nice,” she said.

With a concentration in biomedical engineering, Hayes has a long-term goal to work in prosthetics research. For now, she will be sticking around ECU as an accelerated master’s student in biomedical engineering.

“I’m just going to be here more. I like the campus,” she said. “The professors, how nice they are — I lived for office hours, and I loved getting that one-on-one interaction with them. It was really great.”

Reyland Howard said initial uncertainty about his major cleared when he was told of ECU’s information and cybersecurity technology program.

“I really loved it. I love being around computers,” the Clayton resident said. “I really loved the class projects. I really loved my project management course. I also loved the clubs that are on campus, the CCDC (Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition) club. It was really cool to get hands-on experience.”

And as he stood in line waiting to enter the coliseum, he tried to sum up his feelings.

Alanis Acosta-Correa, an outstanding senior in distribution and logistics, celebrates at the Graduate Recognition Ceremony.

“It’s a mix of emotions. I’m happy, glad that I achieved what I set out to do. But I’m kind of nervous,” he said. “I’m going to miss ECU. This campus was amazing.”

In her remarks during the graduate recognition ceremony, Dr. Stephanie George, interim dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, thanked family and friends for supporting the graduates on their journeys.

She noted the pride college staff and faculty have in the graduates.

“Whether your next horizon is a new job, a next job or graduate school, go forward with confidence. You are Pirates, and Pirates chart bold courses,” she told the graduates. “Based on what you have accomplished so far, we know you will triumph on your next adventure.”

In closing, George encouraged the graduates to stay in touch with faculty and staff.

“Remember that you will always have a home here,” she said.