New Exhibit Explores the History of Freshman Orientation at ECU

“A Pirate’s Life for Me” is a new exhibit located on the first floor in the main campus Joyner library. It was curated by Kristen Daniel and Shatiece Starks, and will be on display from May 13th to August 13th.

The exhibit aims to explore the history behind freshman orientation by showing present students, and other visitors, how orientation was conducted in the past.  It includes a variety of items including newspapers, photographs and orientation programs. QR codes are provided as well for those who’d like to look at the digitized versions of some of the items.

In addition to the exhibit is an ECU themed photo frame, in which visitors can take a picture next to PeeDee the Pirate. Visitors can choose to follow the link of a QR code to share their photos to be displayed on the wall across from PeeDee throughout the summer. We hope you will come and explore the exhibit to your heart’s content!

Freshmen crowd in Wright Auditorium for orientation. 1966. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/9078

Student Orientation counselor Janis Peevey (left) sitting on a desk in a classroom talking with another student. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/23325

East Carolina College freshman lining up for check-in in the lobby of Wright Auditorium. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/4435