“Go Forth”: Remembering Former ECU Chancellor Richard Eakin
On June 2nd, 2025, former East Carolina University chancellor Richard Ronald Eakin passed away at the age of 86. Eakin served as chancellor from 1987 to 2001, and his work largely focused on university advancement. During his fourteen-year tenure, Eakin led numerous successful initiatives related to university accreditation/classification, scholarship campaigning, and campus renovations.
While his work exemplifies the lasting impact he had on ECU, Richard Eakin’s dedication to the university and its students is captured in his words. Eakin set the tone for his chancellorship during his installation address in 1988, when “he spoke eloquently of an ever-brightening light on the eastern Carolina horizon, a rising beacon for those who believe that education, inquiry and service are the best hope for our shared destiny” (Ferrell, 2006). This vision was consistent throughout his tenure and was echoed in his final commencement address as chancellor on December 9, 2000. On that day, Eakin encouraged students to “…go forth and take your rightful place in the life of our state and our nation” (Eakin, 2000). It is with this same spirit that we now “go forth” and remember the life and legacy of Richard Ronald Eakin.
“Go forth from this place with exuberance filled with passion, with joy, with a zest for living.
Go forth with pride, knowing that your university experience has made you ready to make a significant contribution
Go forth remembering the wisdom of the ages, always ready to learn afresh from the lessons of the past.
Go forth with respect for the rights of others, according kindnesses not expected in return.
Go forth with high expectations for yourself and your nation, realizing that personal and national success are grounded in hard work, perseverance, and devotion to duty.
Go forth with a sense of awe, seeing through a glass darkly, filled with the wonder of a world still little understood by mortals.
And finally,
Go forth with hope, believing that even in the midst of humanity’s troubled state, peace and understanding can come to those who seek truth.”
University Archives is home to the Records of Richard R. Eakin Collection (#UA02-09), which contains correspondence, reports, publications, and memorabilia from his time as chancellor. Additionally, a variety of photographs and videos of Richard Eakin are available through ECU Digital Collections. For more information on the life and career of Richard Eakin, please see the additional resources listed below.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ferrell, H. C. (2006). Promises kept : East Carolina University, 1980-2007. East Carolina University. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/22778
Eakin, R. R. (2000, December 9). Eakin urges 2000 graduates to ‘go forth with pride’. Pieces of Eight. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/22778
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
ECU Digital Collections: https://digital.lib.ecu.edu
Records of the Chancellor: Records of Richard R. Eakin: https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/special/ead/findingaids/ua02-09
Boyd, D. (2025, June 3). Former Chancellor Richard Eakin, who led ECU from 1987-2001, died Monday. https://news.ecu.edu/2025/06/03/remembering-eakin/
(2020, June 16). Richard Eakin Oral History Interview [Video]. ECU Digital Collections. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/62321
(2008). The Eakin Era [Video]. ECU Digital Collections. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/86049