DAILY CLIPS COVER - East Carolina University

The latest tracking numbers from the U.S. Department of Education show that
nationwide, 36 percent of African-American men who enroll in college in NCAA
Division 1 schools complete a degree in six years.
The low rank of that completion rate helped feed Smith’s determination at West
Rowan High School and at ECU, he said
“On a very personal note, being an African-American, and especially a male,
there’s a lot of ‘I’m a victim’ attitude out there and I think that’s the wrong point
of view,” Smith said. “The attitude should be “I am succeeding in spite of’ … fill
in the blank: numbers, attitudes, whatever.”
“I approached college in this way,” he said.
Smith said he has also taken advantage of opportunities when they arose.
“I was not afraid to go outside of my comfort zone and do things I’ve never done;
join the band, get involved in student government,” he said.
‘Tomorrow’s leader’
Smith offers three pieces of advice for students struggling, as he has, to reach a
milestone.
The first, he said, is trust in God. The second: Surround yourself with people you
want to be like. The third: “Just know you can do it and get to working and do it,”
he said.
Smith has been visible as SGA president for ECU’s 28,000 students, urging
students to involve themselves in diverse aspects of campus life. His next stop is
Capitol Hill, where he will work for the office of Sen. Kay Hagan, (N.C.-D) as an
intern. He plans to give law school a hard look.
Smith’s strong core values, his hard work and his undergraduate education have
positioned him for success, said Steve Ballard, ECU’s chancellor.
“ECU prides itself in being the leadership university and training tomorrow’s
leaders,” said Ballard. “Tremayne Smith is the best example I know of tomorrow’s
leader.”
Meanwhile, Smith is enjoying his family’s moment of pride.
“They are beside themselves,” he said. “It’s been a long journey.”