Elizabeth City, N.C. — Karington Perry arrived at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) from Atlanta, Georgia, with a plan to succeed but little idea of how much she would grow. Now a senior majoring in biology with a chemistry minor, she reflects on her ECSU journey as a transformative experience that pushed her out of her comfort zone, into new adventures, and closer to her dream of attending medical school.
“After much researching of universities and visiting ECSU, I decided on this campus due to the warm and friendly atmosphere,” Perry shares. “When I interviewed for the Chancellor Scholarship, the interview felt like I was speaking to my family which made me feel so comfortable.”
Her journey hasn’t been without challenges.
“Public speaking was very difficult for me in the beginning,” she admits. But with the encouragement of her professors—particularly her mentor Hirendranath Banerjee, professor of natural sciences—Perry discovered her voice. “My professors here at ECSU pushed and encouraged me to get more involved. I am more comfortable with public speaking.”
Perry immersed herself in campus life, taking on leadership roles in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the Student Government Association (SGA), and as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also excelled academically, earning the prestigious Herman Cooke Award—an award reserved for a biology research student with the highest grade-point average.
Beyond ECSU, her research experiences at Savannah State University (environmental science research), the Mayo Clinic (pancreatic cancer research) and the National Institutes of Health (head and neck cancer research) gave her opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking studies.
But perhaps Perry’s most significant accomplishment is experiencing personal growth. “I have grown tremendously by becoming more involved with campus activities and learning that my voice does count,” says Perry.
After graduation, Perry will continue her studies at ECSU, beginning a fully funded master’s program in Jan. 2025. From there, she plans to attend medical school and pursue her passion for helping others through medicine.
For incoming students, Perry offers this advice: “Don’t limit yourself to what you thought was your future and open your mind to all of the endless possibilities ECSU has to offer.”
As she stands on the graduation threshold, Perry isn’t just leaving ECSU; she’s leaving a legacy of resilience, determination and inspiration.
The “Harbor of Hospitality” doesn’t end once you step away from Elizabeth City’s waterfront. It extends throughout the town and onto Viking Land. Perry sums up her ECSU journey in one word—memorable.
“ECSU has not disappointed me or my family, and I owe this institution so much for pushing me out of my comfort zone and exploring so much more than I could have imagined.”