Rivals in Spirit, Partners in Service
NC State and East Carolina have once again united in service to students — this time for sister universities in western North Carolina one year after Hurricane Helene.
In a state like North Carolina, it’s not uncommon for families to be a house divided by allegiances to one’s alma mater. When NC State’s Parents and Families Services (PFS) staff members launched “A House Divided in Service Together,” leaning into friendly rivalries off the field was the key to success for their joint initiative with their peer office at East Carolina University.
The offices co-designed and independently sold an exclusive T-shirt to celebrate upcoming NC State vs. ECU football games. The initiative was first launched in 2022 to support each institution’s Student Emergency Fund. This summer, the universities teamed up for a second time in support of the two UNC System schools most impacted by Hurricane Helene last fall: Appalachian State University and UNC Asheville.
“We are all here to take care of one another,” says Kerri Fowler, executive director of NC State PFS. “That’s the Wolfpack culture.”
$17,675 raised
1,700+ lbs of food purchased
500 reusable grocery totes donated
1,074 T-shirts sold
60+ staff hours
The house divided initiative highlights the value of interinstitutional partnership and mutual aid. In addition to the food donated to both schools’ food pantries — available to students, employees and community members — each university could request specific items and equipment to best help their communities through NC State’s and ECU’s work.
Additional Items Purchased
| Appalachian State University | UNC Asheville |
|---|---|
| Two picnic tables | Branded pop-up tent for its Food Equity Initiative |
| Two Adirondack gliders for its University Recreation Center | T-shirts to promote the Food Equity Initiative |
| Two cocoon hammock swings for the Child Development Center | Chalkboards and pens for advertising |
“I am so thankful to the Pirate and Pack families who supported the house divided initiative,” says Carter Morsell, director of ECU’s Parent and Family Programs. “They are the reason we can support App State and UNC-A in such a meaningful way.”
Last week, representatives from both programs traveled to the Association of Higher Education Parent/Family Program Professionals: Family Engagement in Higher Education conference, where the house divided initiative was recognized with the national 2025 Powerful Partnerships Award.
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