Gates County Community Partnership will continue to highlight its scholarship recipients, emphasizing their college journey and experiences since receiving one of our scholarships. Our objectives are to keep our local community engaged in the success of our youth and to help improve our students’ understanding of college. We recognize how these stories can inspire others and have a positive impact on young lives.
Today’s spotlight is on Jordan Eason, our first scholarship recipient and a 2019 graduate of Gates County High School. He received Gates County Community Partnership’s “NC Promise Tuition Scholarship.” This scholarship funds a full year of tuition at one of the four North Carolina Promise institutions: Elizabeth City State University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Fayetteville State University, and Western Carolina University.
What major or area of study did you choose?
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology from Western Carolina University (WCU).
What are you up to now?
Currently, I work for Pike Engineering as a Designer in Power Distribution.
How did the “GCCP NC Promise Tuition Scholarship” help ease your transition into college?
The GCCP NC Promise Tuition Scholarship helped my family by assisting with the cost of college while also leading me in the correct direction.
Can you share your experience transitioning from high school to college?
The transition from high school to college proved to be a worthy challenge. Moving from North Carolina to South Carolina right after graduation made it even tougher. This was indeed an interesting time of my life!
After arriving at college, I had to learn this was the closest I have been to the real world. All the life skills parents teach their kids will serve a purpose now. Walking WCU’s campus was nerve wracking at first, but there were other kids just as lost as me which made things much easier.
Meeting friends the first week of college made the transition smoother. This really provided me with a sense of security.
What were some of your most rewarding experiences during college?
One of my most rewarding experiences was going to Taco Tuesdays with my friends from soccer. This became a weekly routine and the memories we created will last forever.
Another rewarding memory was creating weekly calendars. The workload was stressful at times, so having a schedule became essential. I was generally able to keep weekends open to relax and have fun.
In what ways have you been able to engage with the community since high school?
In college, I was a part of the Men’s Club Soccer Team and I was a coach for the Women’s Club Soccer Team. I was a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Both organizations bring awareness to engineering as a profession and help further one’s education.
What are your life goals/aspirations?
My ultimate goal is to become a Hardware Engineer and gain my Professional Engineering license. Until then, my goals are to continue working and gain my Fundamentals of Engineering license. I want to use my degree for small components in devices.
What advice would you offer to future college students on making the most of their college experience and giving back to their community?
Growing up, we often fantasize about having that “fun” college experience, but frequently we forget about why we’re at the institution. I encourage incoming college students to have a plan. It’s easy to become sidetracked due to so many distractions.
I also encourage new students to be social and make new acquaintances. This is not limited to students only, but also faculty members. You never know who you might run into and from whom you might need help.
My final piece of advice is to take risks. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes because you learn from them. Ask questions in class. Everyone in college had to start somewhere.
Are there any significant accomplishments or experiences you would like to share?
Two of my greatest accomplishments were being able to participate in the design of a handheld clamp for carpenters and my CAPSTONE project with Altec.
For the clamp project, I collaborated with three other engineering students from mechanical engineering and engineering technology. The design project was a success and it is possible the product will be patented.
For the CAPSTONE project, I worked on a cross functional team with four other engineering students. We were tasked with creating a ground resistance monitor. Our device was never fully functional but we were able to create a concept.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the Gates County community?
I want to say thank you for the help myself and many others received. The memories and teachings learned from Gates County will live with me forever. You all played a part in molding who I am today.