Research
Randolph Chitwood, a cardiothoracic surgeon affiliated with a higher education institution in the southern state, performed the first minimally invasive robotic-assisted mitral-valve heart surgery in the United States. Researchers from this educational institution also developed SpeechEasy, an electronic fluency device designed to assist individuals who stutter by modifying the sound of their voice in real-time. Walter Pories, a faculty member at the medical school, pioneered the standard procedure for gastric bypass surgery.
Studies conducted at this American university first identified that 80% of obese/type 2 diabetic patients undergoing this surgical procedure experienced a reversal of the disease. The Biofeedback Lab continues to work on developing innovative techniques to support service members in overcoming posttraumatic stress disorders and traumatic brain injuries sustained in conflict zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq. The in vitro fertilization program is regarded as the top-ranked in North Carolina and among the best colleges in America, placing fourth overall in the United States. Former faculty member Jason Bond made significant contributions to biology by discovering multiple new spider species, including Myrmekiaphila neilyoungi and Aptostichus stephencolberti.
An archaeological excavation on Hatteras Island in 1998 led to the discovery of a 10-carat gold English signet ring from the 16th century, providing the first material link between the Lost Colony on Roanoke Island and the Algonquian peoples on Croatan Island. In 2011, a team of underwater archaeologists retrieved the anchors of the Queen Anne’s Revenge, the legendary flagship of Blackbeard, near Beaufort.
Libraries
The main library, located beside the central campus mall, contains nearly 1.9 million bound volumes, 2.1 million microform pieces, 532,000 government documents, and over 24,000 journal subscriptions. Recognized as one of the most comprehensive repositories in the nation for modern naval and maritime history, this library also specializes in materials related to North Carolina, the tobacco industry, missionary work, and American military history. It serves as the official records archive for the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and houses the J. Edgar Hoover Collection on International Communism, which contains an extensive range of materials covering global communism.
Additionally, the Rare Book Collection boasts items dating back to 1589, including a 1733 Edward Moseley map—the first comprehensive cartographic representation of colonial North Carolina and the only known original copy in the United States.
The Music Library, housed in the A.J. Fletcher Music Center, maintains approximately 93,000 items, including an extensive collection of audio recordings. This facility primarily supports students and faculty from the School of Music and the School of Theatre and Dance but is accessible to all university members. Established during the 1958–59 academic year with a small collection, it now operates under the supervision of a dedicated staff.
The William E. Laupus Library serves as the medical and health sciences library, supporting the Brody School of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Allied Health Sciences, and the School of Dental Medicine. Containing around 160,000 volumes and 10,000 print and electronic serial titles, it relocated to the Health Sciences Building in 2006. Named after Dr. Laupus, a former dean of the medical school, this library is a crucial resource for students and faculty in healthcare fields.
Student Life
Student Body Composition (as of May 2, 2022)
Race and Ethnicity:
White: 65%
Black: 16%
Hispanic: 8%
Other[a]: 7%
Asian: 3%
Native American: 1%
Economic Diversity:
Low-income: 35%
Affluent: 65%
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association at this public university advocates for students, representing their concerns to campus administration and various departments.
Greek Life
This Florida university hosts ten social sororities, most of which are located near key campus streets, along with 18 social fraternities, seven of which own houses. Greek life began in 1958 with the founding of Kappa Alpha Order, Beta Theta Pi, Pi Lambda Phi, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Theta Chi. Two years later, eight of the ten social sororities were established. The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is active on campus, featuring four historically African American sororities and five historically African American fraternities. The university is also home to over 18 honor societies and 13 service or religious Greek organizations.
Athletics
Athletic teams from this American university, known as the Pirates, compete in NCAA Division FBS as members of the American Athletic Conference. The football team receives strong support from elite spirit groups, including the university’s Marching Pirates, National Award-winning Cheerleading squads, and dedicated spirit teams.
Sports facilities include the 50,000-seat Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium for football, the 8,000-seat Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum for basketball, and Clark-LeClair Stadium, which accommodates over 6,000 fans for baseball, including the outfield “Jungle” area.
The Ward Sports Medicine Building, covering 82,095 square feet, houses the athletic department, Pirate Club offices, and the Human Performance Laboratory. The Murphy Center, a 52,475-square-foot facility, offers top-tier training facilities, banquet rooms, sports memorabilia displays, and an academic enhancement center. Constructed for approximately $13 million, the Murphy Center opened to student-athletes in June 2002.
Diversity
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Community Relations initiated the EDC Mini-Grant Project, designed to expand diversity programs, research, and initiatives. This initiative provides funding for student, faculty, and staff proposals focused on cultural awareness seminars, recruitment strategies, and curriculum development.
In addition, the university supports a range of diversity initiatives, including the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement, the Dr. Jesse R. Peel LGBTQ Center, the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center, Student Veteran Services, and the Women and Gender Office. These programs are vital in fostering an inclusive academic and social environment within one of the best colleges in the US.