ECU begins first day of classes

Classes began at East Carolina University Monday and some lucky students started their first day of classes catching a lift on a golf cart from their own Interim Chancellor or Police Captain -- and both Dan Gerlach and Chris Sutton say it's well worth it to give the students a fun way to ride into the school year.

The freshman aren't the only new part of ECU either. The university also welcomes the Greene Residence Hall and a newly renovated Student Center.

"I worked on this project for twelve years so I'm very excited that the project's finally done. We're extremely excited about the fall semester -- the capacity, the abilities, the technology we have here -- allow us to do things for programming and for students that we were never able to do in the past," said Dr. Dean Smith, the Director of the Student Center.

Smith said the center opened last year but now everything inside is open and operating, including new food venues, a bookstore, meeting and study areas, and a game room.

Junior Cameron Yarbrough says the new student center adds to the student experience. "We have TVs in here, study rooms upstairs, and meeting rooms as well as a ballroom and stuff like that so really it's just a great facility to enhance the experience of East Carolina and the students here."

Yarbrough also has a message for the newcomers. "Incoming freshman, get ready for the ride of your life. You got Pirate Nation to the death and we're ready for football season in Raleigh August, 31st to beat the Wolfpack. Go Pirates!"