The quality of what we're doing is national, but we try to focus on North Carolina, especially the people living east of (Interstate) 95.

I heard somewhere that maybe one or two people doubted the capacity of East Carolina University to achieve that great status. It's hard for me to believe that anyone would have doubted us, but I think the record speaks for itself.

All of Eastern North Carolina is in a state of transition. We're adapting to changes in industry and needs. It will probably take a generation or two before we get there.

We serve students who can't come to the campus and take 18 hours of courses. But we do everything to ensure that our online courses match the quality in the classroom. They are taught by the same faculty with a lower teacher to student ratio.

It was a great season for me. I want to focus on quality races next year.

Our focus at Gray Ghost is to make the highest quality wines possible. Receiving the 'Best of the East' award three consecutive years on three different vintage wines and the Five-Year Achievement Award illustrates our commitment to quality.