Pirate family ties run deep

Pirate family ties run deep

Purple and gold run deep for one East Carolina University family that is excited to celebrate the university's spring commencement and the graduation of its matriarch. Kim Morris, a pediatric referral coordinator at the Brody School of Medicine, will soon join the ranks of Pirate alumni.

Morris is part of a long line of enthusiastic family members who attended ECU, including her mother (who came to East Carolina Teachers College, but completed her degree elsewhere), two sisters (who are ECU alumni) and her three daughters (two are alumni and one is a current student) - two of whom also work at ECU in the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences.

In just a few short days, Morris's family - daughters Pam, Hannah and Rachael; sisters Lisa and Missy; and her 83-year-old father Garmon - will watch her receive her Bachelor of Science degree in university studies with a minor in psychology.

"I am so excited. I cannot wait to walk across the stage as a college graduate," Morris said.

Morris began her studies at ECU in the 1980s. However, as it sometimes does, life got in the way, and she left ECU without completing a degree. In the mid-2000s, Morris attended Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, completing an associate degree in medical office administration. She began working at ECU in 2022.

In 2024, with the employee benefit of one free class per semester, Morris' passion to complete a bachelor's degree was reignited. In addition, the university studies degree offers a flexible and personalized academic path for learners seeking an option outside of traditional majors, allowing students to build upon previous coursework and transfer credits in online or on-campus classes. She said her path has had challenges at times, but she has enjoyed learning different subjects along the way.

"I was not a resolute student when I attended ECU in the early 1980s," she said. "Being able to complete my degree because I am an employee was an opportunity I could not pass up. The university studies program is wonderful. It would have taken a lot longer for me to get my degree without it."

As a mom, Morris has encouraged her daughters to pursue higher education.

"I always told my girls that they needed to go to college; an education is something that no one can take away from you," she said. "I am so incredibly proud of all my children. They amaze me every day with their intelligence, and we are proud to be Pirates."

Pam Morris

Pam Morris, the eldest of Kim's daughters, is also pursuing a degree at ECU while working on campus. She is taking courses for the Master of Arts degree in anthropology, while holding a full-time job as the administrative support specialist for Harriot College's Office of Academic Advising and Resource Center and the college's university studies program.

"I have always had a strong interest in ancient Egypt, world history and learning about different cultures and languages," Morris said.

As an undergraduate in community college, Morris discovered she enjoyed anatomy and physiology and thought she would go into a medical field. She went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a classical studies minor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and added an anthropology degree with a forensic science minor before she was finished.

"Anthropology - the holistic study of humans, past and present - is such an interdisciplinary field. When I realized there was a degree that allows me to combine my interests in science, history and culture into one cohesive area of study, that settled it," Morris said. "I am very grateful to be part of the anthropology master's program at ECU, which is helping me further my education and continue building on my academic and professional goals."

Morris is leaning toward a museum studies focus, but she said she can see herself teaching a class or moving into an academic advisor role once she has completed her degree.

"Overall, I believe I am gaining valuable skills," she said. "I truly believe that knowledge is power, and each experience is helping me become more well-rounded both professionally and personally.

As a future ECU alumnus, Morris said she is carrying on the long-standing Pirate family tradition.

"I was originally accepted to ECU after graduating high school, but I was unable to attend at the time," she said. "I am extremely proud to finally be a Pirate now and to experience ECU in so many different ways - as a student, a daughter, a sister and a staff member. It means a great deal to be part of a family of four women who are ECU alumni and to share in that legacy together."

Hannah Morris

Hannah Morris, Kim's second daughter, earned her ECU Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and sociology, with a minor in classical studies, in 2016. She continued her education and earned a Master of Arts degree in sociology, with a minor in women's studies, from ECU in 2020.

"I have always been interested in understanding why people do what they do. Taking an Advanced Placement psychology course in high school - in which I excelled - greatly influenced my decision to major in psychology at ECU," Morris said.

"During my sophomore year, I enrolled in an introduction to sociology course and quickly developed an interest in the field, leading me to add it as a second major," she said. "Through the Department of Sociology, I found strong support and encouragement to pursue research opportunities, which made the decision to continue my graduate studies in the discipline a natural progression."

While pursuing her degrees, Morris also began working at ECU. In 2017, she started working as an administrative support associate in the Office of the Provost. She joined the Brody School of Medicine as a clinical research coordinator in the Department of Pediatrics in 2019, and since 2022, she has worked in the Harriot College Dean's Office as the executive assistant.

"Through all of my roles at ECU, I have been able to implement and hone my skills gained through my education," Morris said. "A degree in sociology prepared me well for a career as an executive assistant by equipping me with strong interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills that are essential in a fast-paced professional environment. Sociology emphasizes understanding organizational structures, group dynamics and workplace culture, which allows me to communicate effectively with individuals across different roles and departments.

"Coursework and research experiences strengthened my ability to analyze information, manage competing priorities and approach problems thoughtfully and diplomatically. Additionally, sociology develops strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail and a high level of professionalism - key competencies for supporting executives, coordinating schedules, preparing documents and handling sensitive information," she said. "The discipline's focus on adaptability, discretion and relationship-building directly aligns with the responsibilities of an executive assistant, enabling me to anticipate needs, navigate complex interpersonal situations and contribute to a productive and well-organized workplace."

Morris said she is very proud of her family for continuing their educational paths at ECU.

"Going to college was always encouraged and was viewed not only as a way to gain knowledge and skills, but also as an important tool for social mobility," she said. "My mother began working toward her bachelor's degree in the 1980s, and although she earned several associate degrees through community college, completing a bachelor's degree was always her goal. While the journey took longer than she initially hoped, I am incredibly happy that she will officially graduate from the university studies program and earn her degree.

"I am also proud of my older sister for pursuing her Master of Arts in anthropology, a discipline that clearly brings her a great deal of joy. It has been rewarding to see her continue her education in a field she is genuinely passionate about."

Morris also recognizes and thanks ECU for her family's continued successes.

"I am grateful to ECU and the state of North Carolina for providing educational benefits to employees, which made these opportunities possible," she said. "Without this support, my mother, sister and I would have faced significant financial hardship in pursuing higher education."

Rachael Morris

Rachael Morris, the youngest of Kim's three daughters, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in university studies with a concentration in music education studies from ECU in 2024.

"I knew that I wanted to attend ECU from a young age," Morris said. "I started in the music program. However, I got Covid, and it gave me long-term complications. I either had to find an online degree option or drop out with five years' worth of classes."

"University studies was just what I needed," she said. "I was able to use most of the credits and complete the rest of my degree online."

Morris said her degree has prepared her for life by improving her communication and networking skills, which she uses in her profession as a retail consultant at a local jewelry and gift shop.

"I started this job when I was in college, and I love what I do," she said.

Morris said she is delighted to see her mother reach her goal of completing an ECU degree.

"I am so incredibly proud of her and the work she has put in. She has wanted to complete her bachelor's degree for a very long time," Morris said.

Kim Morris said, "I am so proud to tell people that I work for East Carolina University, and I will be even prouder to say that I am an alumnus."

"ECU has always been an important part of our family's story, and I am proud that my nuclear family can soon say that we are all graduates of East Carolina University. We are forever Pirates," Hannah Morris said. "I believe family legacy is something many ECU students can relate to, and it is one of the things that makes the university so special. ECU fosters a culture where people are proud to be alumni and eager to remain connected long after graduation."

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