Chancellor Staton and Local Entrepreneur Tracz to Speak at Honors Convocation

The Honors College Convocation will take place Thursday, Aug. 31, at 5 p.m. inside Wright Auditorium.

The Honors College Convocation will take place Thursday, Aug. 31, at 5 p.m. in Wright Auditorium.

The Honor College at East Carolina University will host its annual convocation Thursday, Aug. 31, inside Wright Auditorium, featuring ECU Chancellor Cecil Staton and local entrepreneur Dennis Tracz.

Following remarks from Staton and Honors College Dean Dr. David White, Tracz will kick off the school year with the keynote address to the Honors College highlighting innovation, entrepreneurship and the future impacts on eastern North Carolina and beyond.

Dennis Tracz will be the keynote speaker at the Honors College convocation Thursday, Aug. 31.

Tracz said he was excited to formally welcome the Honors College Class of 2021 and recognize their potential to make a difference to the Honors College community.

“I am honored to be included in the efforts of the Honors College to help introduce students and the broader community to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Tracz. “I look forward to contributing to this remarkable institution and engaging with students and faculty alike.”

“I am pleased to welcome Mr. Tracz to the Honors College,” said Dean White. “His experiences and expertise in innovation and entrepreneurship have helped us to shape our plans here. His message will help our community understand the bright future possibilities through innovation and entrepreneurship in addition to their course work.”

Tracz is the CEO and Co-Founder of Carolina Wild, a muscadine juice company based in Pink Hill, NC. Tracz has set out to help transform the land that tobacco forgot into the land of the muscadine. He was the founder of the Virginia Financial Group, Inc. and served as the Director of the Entrepreneurship Center for James Madison University’s College of Business. Tracz has experience in entrepreneurship and innovation through eight start-ups established over more than 30 years. Tracz serves on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Rural Center and is active in helping his rural community receive access to broadband and other technology services.