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Keynote Speaker Challenges �鶹��ýӳ�� Students to Become Shipbuilders

Trey Lewis speaks to donors, scholarship recipients and their families at �鶹��ýӳ��’s Scholarship Convocation.

Trey Lewis encouraged students at �鶹��ýӳ�� to be shipbuilders. “Build friendships, partnerships and relationships as you go along,” said the US Senate staffer for Senator Thom Tillis. “These connections that you will make are truly invaluable.”

Lewis was the keynote speaker for �鶹��ýӳ��’s Scholarship Convocation. During the annual event that recognizes scholarship recipients and their donors, the former Macclesfield, NC mayor acknowledged humble beginnings and the shipbuilding that chartered his course to the Senate.

Echoing the words of Comedian Ron White, Lewis acknowledged, “I came from the opposite of money. I came from no money.” Attending a private four-year institution was not an option for the �鶹��ýӳ�� graduate. The first relationship that would help to launch his college career came from a local high school.

“I found out through a teacher at SouthWest that there were scholarships available for students who were transferring over from the public school system to the community college,” recalled Lewis, also a SouthWest Edgecombe graduate.

After applying to �鶹��ýӳ��, his second relationship began. The Edgecombe County native received a call from Michael Jordan, former vice president of student services at �鶹��ýӳ��. Jordan informed Lewis that he was the recipient of a $500 scholarship.

“I was taken aback,” said Lewis. “Five hundred dollars doesn’t sound like a ton, but it means a whole lot when you are from a single-parent household.”

After realizing that he wanted to pursue a career in politics and after graduating from �鶹��ýӳ�� with an Associate of Arts/College Transfer degree, Lewis completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration, both from East Carolina University. Now an Eagle and a Pirate, Lewis was encouraged by his lifelong mentor to do something unique. Senator Richard Burr’s former aide and a former �鶹��ýӳ�� trustee, Betty Jo Shepherd, told Lewis about an internship.

“She encouraged me to take a leap of faith and look at a DC internship,” stated Lewis. After seven months in Washington, DC and returning home to become the youngest mayor in the state, Lewis was hit by the political bug. His shipbuilding continued after his role as mayor, when Shepherd advised him of an opening in Senator Tillis’ office.

“Finally, it happened,” said the accomplished 33-year-old. “I had leveraged my education and work experience to obtain a career in politics while living in Macclesfield. I was able to prove to myself that I didn’t have to move to Charlotte, to Raleigh, to Washington, DC or wherever to have a career in politics and local government.”

An �鶹��ýӳ�� student receives a scholarship from the State Employees Credit Union Foundation.

Lewis’ message resonated with the scholarship recipients who were recognized Sept. 19 in the Mobley Atrium on �鶹��ýӳ��’s Tarboro campus. According to Jean Bailey, president of the �鶹��ýӳ�� Foundation Board of Directors, more than $68 thousand dollars has been awarded thus far this academic year.

“The scholarships you will see awarded today provide our students the pathway to an education—an opportunity to change the course of their lives and perhaps future generations of their families,” said Bailey. “For a number of students, the pursuit of their dreams may not be possible without these scholarships.”

Since 1982, the �鶹��ýӳ�� Foundation has worked to provide scholarships and more for �鶹��ýӳ�� students.
“Nearly 140 students are receiving scholarships this semester. That’s a testament to the tenacity of these students and to the generosity of our donors,” said �鶹��ýӳ�� President, Dr. Greg McLeod. “When you give to the �鶹��ýӳ�� Foundation, you are not solely helping a student pay for their tuition. I have seen your generosity, commitment and hospitality send students on surgical mission trips, compete and excel in career skills competitions within and outside of this state, and compete and ultimately work in settings like the Mayo Clinic, considered one of the world’s best hospitals.”

Lewis benefitted from this generosity, shipbuilding and the reward of attending a community college—what he considers to be vital to the state.

“You look at our hospitals, you look at our barbershops, you look at our sheriff’s offices, manufacturing facilities, local small businesses,” said Lewis. “All are able to operate because of the talent that the community college helps train.”

View a recognized during the ceremony.

Thanks to the sponsors who made the 2025 Scholarship Convocation a success, including the presenting sponsor, Astemo. Companies who donated at a corporate level included Bojangles/Tands, Inc., National Pan-Hellenic Council of Rocky Mount, Scoops on Main St. and WHIG-TV. Table sponsors included Lewis Advertising, Off the Main, Phillips Printing Supply Co. and Tharrington’s Auto Works and Collision.