THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 19, 1996 TAG: 9610190247
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY MASON PETERS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 81 lines
Mickey L. Burnim, wearing a traditional gown with a touch of Africa, became the new chancellor of Elizabeth City State University Friday in a ceremony where he pledged the past and the present to the ``leaders of the next millenium.''
The colorful outdoor investiture took place under bright skies with many hundreds of students, families and political and business leaders gathered on the ECSU campus to see the beginning of a new era.
``To the members of the freshmen class,'' began Burnim in his installation message, ``you have a special place in the ceremony today . . . and your prominence in this convocation symbolizes the central importance which will be placed on students during my administration.
``We begin this journey together. You are members of the Class of 2000. You will be the first to graduate from Elizabeth City State University in the 21st century.''
It was then that the new chancellor told his audience that the ``essence of our mission is `Preparing Leaders For The Next Millenium.'
``I have decided to use that tag line as a slogan for the university.''
The chancellor traced the history of ECSU from small beginnings as a ``normal school'' for African-American teachers in 1891 and the institution's steady growth to a full-fledged university on the 16-campus University of North Carolina.
Burnim, 47, is the third chancellor and eighth chief executive to be entrusted with the destiny of Elizabeth City State University. He was appointed interim chancellor by the University of North Carolina Board of Governors a little over a year ago, after the resignation of Jimmie Jenkins.
Immediately after the ceremony, a reception for the new chancellor was held in the Williams Hall gymnasium. Festivities ended with a Chancellor's Ball Friday night.
In his message, Burnim described his goals:
``We intend to become the university of Northeastern North Carolina. I am not referring to a name change but to a deliberate and purposeful extension of the educational reach of the university.
``We will expand our extension and continuing education offerings both on campus and at off-site locations.
``We will treat all of our students like the precious resources with unlimited potential which they are.''
Burnim, to emphasize the diversity that he has promised for ECSU, wore African Kente cloth as part of his ceremonial gown.
``I wear this beautiful Kente (to) symbolize our connectedness with the African heritage of African Americans,'' he said.
``It demonstrates a deep appreciation for a culture which is very different from the one into which I was born and have lived.
``I hope (this) is a learning moment from which some of you will emerge with a greater appreciation for (African) culture.
``I envision ECSU becoming, in five to seven years, a university of 3,000 to 3,500 students who want a good education and are willing to work hard and study to earn it.
``I envision a strong faculty dedicated to the proposition that every one of our students is a potential Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Maya Angelou, Barbara Jordan or (Governor) Jim Hunt.
``Students, you must accept part of the responsibility for your own education. You must exercise discipline, learn the specific requirements for the degrees you are seeking.
``You have to make up your minds; you have decide to become the leaders that we want to prepare you to be.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
DREW WILSON PHOTOS
The Virginian-Pilot
Mickey L. Burnim, wearing a traditional gown with a touch of Africa,
is sworn in as chancellor of Elizabeth City State University Friday.
The crowd, below, at the colorful outdoor investiture greeted
Burnim's remarks with cheers and overwhelming approval. To the
freshmen class, Burnim, said, ``You will be the first to graduate
from Elizabeth City State University in the 21st century.''
DREW WILSON
The Virginian-Pilot
A crowd gathers in front of Williams Hall at ECSU for the
installation of a new chancellor Friday. by CNB