Elizabeth City, N.C – Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) announces the Honorable J. Carlton (J.C.) Cole, a distinguished retired Superior Court Judge and Elizabeth City native, as the keynote speaker for the institution’s 134th Founders Day Convocation. The event will take place Friday, March 14, 2025, in the Mickey L. Burnim Fine Arts Center. 

Judge Cole, whose legal career spans nearly three decades, has dedicated his life to upholding justice and mentoring the next generation. As a former District Court and Superior Court Judge in North Carolina’s First Judicial District, he presided over cases that shaped the lives of countless individuals. Beyond the bench, his commitment to community service and advocacy for youth earned him prestigious honors, including the North Carolina PTA’s Dorothy M. Crowell Citizenship Award. Upon retirement from the bench, he received accolades from the community and his work was officially memorialized with receipt of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the State of North Carolina’s highest civilian recognition, and the Friends of the Court, the highest award given by the state judicial branch. He has also received the Chief Justice’s Professionalism Award for his dedication and commitment to the principles of professionalism in the legal community in North Carolina. In Perquimans County, the Board of Commissioners has named the courtroom in the historical courthouse the J. Carlton Cole Courtroom.  

A graduate of Livingstone College, Long Island University, and North Carolina Central University School of Law, Judge Cole has left his mark on the legal profession. His dedication to fairness, mentorship and civic engagement has influenced the courts and the community.  

“Judge Cole’s journey from Elizabeth City to the highest levels of judicial service is evidence of his dedication to community,” said ECSU Interim Chancellor Catherine Edmonds. “His story embodies the spirit of ECSU’s mission of excellence and impact. We are honored to welcome him to campus for this occasion.”  

ECSU’s Founders Day marks more than a century of academic excellence and service. The university, founded in 1891, continues to prepare students for leadership and success while honoring the legacy of its pioneers.  

This year’s Founders Day celebration will commemorate ECSU’s storied history and inspire future generations through Cole’s wisdom.   

The Founder’s Day Convocation is the first of two events commemorating the university’s establishment in 1891. The university’s annual Scholarship Gala is Saturday, March 15, 6 p.m. To purchase tickets or learn how to become a sponsor, visit the event site.  

About Elizabeth City State University   
Elizabeth City State University provides students with a high-quality, affordable education. A constituent member of the University of North Carolina System, ECSU develops courageous, resilient, and empowered leaders through excellent student-centered, experiential learning. ECSU offers baccalaureate, professional, and master’s degrees across a wide variety of disciplines. Come to Discover. Leave to Conquer. Visit www.ecsu.edu