A scholarship can be one of the biggest difference makers for a student when it comes to being able to fully invest in their education and explore opportunities beyond the classroom. That’s why each year, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives award a scholarship to an East Carolina University College of Engineering student that exemplifies cooperative principles and makes a difference in their community.
This year’s recipient, Patrick Jones, a junior at ECU, said it’s an honor to be selected by an organization that serves rural communities.
“I was born and raised in a small town, Macclesfield, North Carolina and I’ve spent my entire life in eastern North Carolina,” said Jones. “I know the impact that electric cooperatives have on rural communities like mine, and to be selected by the cooperatives for a scholarship like this is a tremendous honor.”
Jones’ interest in engineering was sparked by his grandfather who obtained his engineering degree back in 1968 and went on to work in the industrial engineering field. Diving into some electrical classes in high school only deepened Jones’ passion for the field, and ultimately led him on his path to ECU.
Each year, North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives’ Electrical Engineering Endowed Scholarship is awarded to an individual that is outstanding in the classroom and a role model in their community. Jones’ said he plans to use his degree to give back to the community that helped raise him.
“My community is everything to me, they’re the people who raised me,” said Jones. “Giving back to my community, and other rural communities just like mine has been a lifelong goal of mine. I’m proud to know that the cooperatives are supporting me on my journey to reaching that goal.”
Winston Howell, CEO of Edgecombe-Martin County Electric Membership Corporation, presented the scholarship to Jones at an awards program for The College of Engineering and Technology. Howell said this scholarship is an opportunity to invest back into students who are the future of North Carolina.
“North Carolina’s electric cooperatives recognize the accomplishments of hard-working, successful students like Patrick,” said Howell. “Our support for communities extends to the classroom, as we encourage students to explore new careers and opportunities that will guide their future.”
With a plan to graduate in the fall of 2025, Jones said this scholarship will allow him to continue to grow and learn during his final year.
“This helps take a lot of stress off of me as I focus less on making the finances of college work, and instead invest that time and energy into my degree and experiences,” said Jones. “It’s an incredible thing that the cooperatives are doing by giving back to students like me. It speaks to their character as an organization.”