Recognizing Jesse Peel and His Work on World Aids Day, December 1st

From the University Archives:
Records of Student Affairs: Records of the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center 2012-2021

Dr. Jesse R. Peel, a native of Everetts, North Carolina, became interested in HIV/AIDS while working in a psychiatric practice in Atlanta in the early 1980s. His activist work there included founding two advocacy groups and working with several existing organizations to assist those affected by the disease. Peel became known for his fundraising and grassroots efforts to help during the early days of the pandemic.

He is recognized by ECU as an honorary alumni and valued friend for his many donations including endowing two professorships, one in LGBT studies and one in gender studies. Recently, he donated $500,000 to fund the ECU LGBTQ+ Resources Center in the Main Campus Student Center. The center is named the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBT+ Resource Center in his honor. He is shown here in a 2016 photograph with his dog.