Rocky Mount Rotary Club Presents $27,000 to ECC

Awards • Community • ECC Foundation • Students • September 27, 2019

The Rocky Mount Rotary Club presented Edgecombe Community College with $27,000 to support scholarships for local students. Shown from left are (front) RM Rotary and ECC representatives Sherlock McDougald, Tamisia Lynch, Lyn Brown, Dr. Greg McLeod, Eddie Coats, Suzanne Peaden, (back) Garry Hodges, Michael Jordan, Dr. Harry Starnes, Neil Baker, Debbie Batten, Sheila Hoskins, Tara Honesty, and Kristen Brabble.

The Rocky Mount Rotary Club presented Edgecombe Community College with $27,000 on Monday to support student scholarships.

The presentation took place during a Rocky Mount Rotary Club meeting, during which Rotary leaders presented $81,000 in scholarship funds to support local students attending Edgecombe Community College, Nash Community College, and North Carolina Wesleyan College.

The funds were raised through Tackle the Tar, a 5K obstacle course race and family fun day sponsored by the Rocky Mount Rotary Club.

“Thank you for what you do and for your tremendous contribution to this community,” ECC President Dr. Greg McLeod said in accepting the gift. “It takes an entire village to educate a student, and none of the colleges can do it alone. This amazing generosity reflects your commitment to the community and its future. We are honored to have you as our partner.”

Held annually in May, Tackle the Tar has quickly grown into a major fund-raising event and a competitive obstacle race. Since the first race in 2016, the event has raised a total of $234,000 in scholarships. About 850 runners participated in this year’s race, including a team of 38 students, faculty, and staff from Edgecombe Community College.

Among the ECC representatives attending the Rocky Mount Rotary Club event on Monday were the College’s fastest runners in this year’s race. Radiography student Suzanne Peaden finished seventh in the Local College Heat, followed by Radiography student Tamisia Lynch, who finished eighth.

Next year’s Tackle the Tar is set for May 16, 2020. Tackle the Tar organizers have set a goal of 1,000 runners, three new obstacles, and five mud pits.