The North Carolina Central University campus bustled with approximately 1,461 first-year and transfer student-scholars during Eagle Move-In Day on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2019.
The Move-In Day tradition welcomes new students and kicks off a series of student-focused events known as Eagle Mania.
Students from Mecklenburg, Durham and Wake, Guilford and Forsyth counties significantly contributed to the 2023 class profile, with 400 students graduating from those regional schools. An estimated 392 transfer and second-degree students have also registered for fall classes for the 2019-2020 academic year. Additionally, nearly 690 new students are entering NCCU’s graduate and professional programs.
“North Carolina Central University is welcoming another group of next-generation leaders who will engage in an innovative, hands-on curriculum, as well as a vibrant and growing campus life that provides the most powerful learning environment, said NCCU Chancellor Johnson O. Akinleye.
NCCU continues to cultivate diversity within the student body, with 131 incoming students identifying their race or ethnicity as other than African-American, including American Indian, Alaskan Native, Asian, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander ad Hispanic, to name a few.
The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences has the largest representation among intended academic programs chosen by incoming students, with nursing, criminal justice and psychology among top anticipated majors.
“The newest Eagles who have chosen NCCU will be exposed to enhanced course offerings that will spur their academic and social growth, and position them to fully compete in the global marketplace,” Akinleye said.
This year’s class boasts a high academic profile, with an average GPA of 3.26 and average SAT scores of 961.
Among incoming freshmen are 19 students who make up the second cohort of the Cheatham-White Scholars. These students were chosen for the new full-ride scholarships created by the N.C. General Assembly for incoming Class of 2023 freshmen at NCCU and N.C. A&T State University, the state’s two largest historically black colleges.
Applicants for the Cheatham-White Scholarships were required to hold a high-school weighted grade point average of at least 4.0, along with an SAT score of at least 1280 or ACT scores of 28 or higher. High schools nominated students for the scholarship based on a variety of factors, including leadership experience, character and community service.
The Cheatham-White Scholarships cover full tuition, room and board, student fees, books, a laptop computer, supplies and personal expenses, plus four summer experiences that may include international studies.
The 2019-2020 Hannah Boykin of Garner, N.C.; Janna Campbell, of Fayetteville, Ga.; Simone Edmundson, of Fort Washington, Md.; Taylor Giattino, of Durham, N.C.; Jaschia Hall of Beulaville, N.C.; Kristen Hauser, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; Efhe Ikharo of Raleigh, N.C.; Olesia Headen of Randleman, N.C.; Princess Jackson of Winston-Salem, N.C.; Briana Lewis of Washington D.C.; Jordyn Arianna Martin of Hughesville, Md.; Marla McGhee of Conway, Ark.; Aaron Morse of Chesapeake, Va.; Phineas Nyang’oro of Durham, N.C.; NiDaria Powell of Roseboro N.C.; Adrienne Stacy of Chesapeake Va.; Jamila Tate of Burlington, N.C.; Cambria White of Arlington, Va.; and Zach Zedalis of Charlotte, N.C.
As part of the university’s tradition of welcoming new scholars, all incoming students will participate in Eagle Mania, a series of events organized by NCCU’s divisions of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. Through a mixture of academic and social programs, Eagle Mania helps students become more familiar with NCCU and the City of Durham.
New student induction and pinning ceremonies will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, in McDougald-McLendon Arena. Alumni and members of the NCCU community will present new students with their class pins as a reminder of the university’s heritage.
