Three Edgecombe Community College respiratory therapy students have earned statewide bragging rights after capturing the 2026 North Carolina Society for Respiratory Care (NCSRC) Sputum Bowl Championship and securing a spot at the national competition in New Orleans this November.

The Sputum Bowl is a fast-paced academic competition that tests respiratory care students and practitioners on topics ranging from anatomy and physiology to mechanical ventilation, pharmacology, critical care, as well as neonatal and pediatric respiratory concepts.

The ECC Foundation raised $42,109 during its 40^th Annual Golf Tournament held Sept. 24 at Maccripine Country Club in Pinetops, providing critical support for scholarships, student assistance programs and Foundation initiatives.

The tournament drew 34 teams and 136 players, continuing a four-decade tradition of community support for ECC students. Participants competed in a four-person scramble while enjoying a day of fellowship and friendly competition. See photos

“You are economic development!”

That was the resounding message delivered by Tracey Crenshaw to 130 scholarship recipients during the ECC Foundation’s annual Scholarship Convocation on Sept. 17.

Crenshaw, director of existing industries and workforce development for the Carolinas Gateway Partnership, served as the keynote speaker for the event, which drew a crowd of more than 200 students, donors and community leaders.
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Garland Shepheard has been appointed by the Speaker of the House of the NC General Assembly to a four-year term. A former trustee of the college, Shepheard was originally appointed by Governor James G. Martin and was a member of the ECC board from 1992 to 1996. He also served as sergeant-at-arms for the North Carolina House of Representatives before his retirement.

Eugene Wilson Muse Jr. has also been appointed to a four-year term. Muse has served with the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office since 2005 and currently holds the rank of major, having worked in every division within the department. He also served as an adjunct instructor at ECC for seven years.