Dr. S. Keith Hargrove

I am deeply honored to be installed as the eighth Chancellor of @ECSU. This moment is not just a personal milestone, but a shared commitment to the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community who make this institution so special. Together, we will move forward with purpose.💙

I am deeply grateful for the thoughtful faculty and staff tribute shared during Installation Week. Your dedication, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to our students are what make ECSU a great place to live, work and learn. It’s an honor to work alongside this community.

I’m truly grateful for the incredible Student Tribute shared during Installation Week. Seeing the passion, creativity, and pride of our students reminds me why ECSU is such a special place. You are the heart of this institution. Let’s keep discovering and conquering—together. 💙

This morning’s Installation Clergy Prayer Breakfast was a powerful reminder that leadership is never a solitary journey—it is strengthened through faith, guided by purpose, and sustained by community. I am deeply grateful to the pastors who shared words of prayer and wisdom. 💙

I had the distinct honor to welcome 40 of our distinguished alumni at our Forty Under Forty Awards Brunch.

Today, our students shined. They showcased their creativity at today’s pop up shop selling products they designed and produced. Our students had great conversation with representatives from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, who shared all the opportunities available to them.

At ECSU, we believe in empowering students to achieve their highest potential. You can support our mission of access, excellence and opportunity during this Day of Giving. Every gift, no matter the size, makes a difference in the lives of our students.

Tonight we honored students for their leadership, their achievements, and their Viking spirit! The newly-elected members of the Royal Court also took their oath of service. Congratulations to them and all the honorees at tonight’s Viking Spirit Awards.

@ecsuvikings kicked off Viking Fest with the Spring Health Fling. Our Emergency Management program - one of the many participants - shared safety information with the campus community.

We cut the ribbon on the new @ECSU Aviation Student Training Facility with an open house and celebration honoring the Tuskegee Red Tails. I was very fortunate to know six of the original Tuskegee Airman, and fortunate today to recognize them for their service.

Join us for @ECSU Viking Fest 2026. While things will look a little different this year, the Viking Pride and energy will be the same! You can view all the events for the week and get your tickets for Saturday at ecsu.edu/viking-fest.php.

Today’s Founders Day Convocation was historic! Not only did we celebrate 135 years of excellence, I announced that @ECSU has received a transformational $42 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. Read more here: ecsu.edu/news/ecsu-rece…

@ECSU had the distinct honor of hosting the @NCgoldenLEAF, who has been a long-time partner of the university. We were able to spend time with our Golden Leaf scholars, who shared their Viking journeys.

Congratulations Dr. James R. Martin II on your installation as the 13th Chancellor of @ncatsuaggies. It is an honor to serve alongside you in the @uncsystem as we work to expand opportunity, innovation, and impact for our students and communities across North Carolina.

Thank you to faculty, staff, students, and alumni for welcoming future Vikings at the Blue and Bold Tour in Rocky Mount. My two favorite parts — hearing our current students share their Viking experience and awarding scholarships on the spot!

Join us on March 13 at 10 a.m. in the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center to celebrate 135 years of excellence. As the keynote speaker, I will be honoring our legacy and making an announcement that will have a significant impact on the transformative power of education at ECSU.

135 years of excellence! Today we honor the vision, resilience and legacy that continue to shape ECSU. From 1891 to today, Vikings have led with purpose, pride and power. Here’s to 135 years of transforming lives, uplifting communities and building a future rooted in greatness.

I am a strong believer that your Viking experience should raise your level of political, social, and economic consciousness. I applaud our students for recognizing the value of voting as they joined faculty and staff this afternoon on a march to the polls.

Thank you to the Viking community for an extraordinary week at the CIAA Tournament.

Connecting with alumni and friends at CIAA—Alex Ricketts, Chief of Staff Seattle PD, Chief Shon Barnes ’97, Seattle PD, and John Etheridge, Retired Captain Elizabeth City PD.