ECU Chapter of Circle K International selects new president

Geoffrey Whitley is a senior fashion merchandising and communication double major at ECU.

Known to many for his grandiose personality and extracurricular work on campus, one student at East Carolina University has attained a position that takes his strides toward community outreach to the next level.

Junior fashion merchandising and communication double major Geoffrey Whitley is no stranger to campus involvement. He is a member of the ECU Ambassadors and an elected Student Government Association representative for ECU’s College of Fine Arts and Communication in the 2017-18 school year.

Adding on to his resume of extracurricular work is his position as East Carolina’s chapter president for The Carolina’s District of Circle K. Taking to social media to announce his new role on campus, Whitley expressed his “overwhelming gratitude” for being selected to this position. Whitley said he was “honored” to be given a role to serve and lead in such an internationally recognized organization.

“I look forward to making ECU’s chapter of Circle K even better than it was before,” said Whitley. “I’m so ready to see the diverse men and women of East Carolina University getting involved in service projects not only on campus, but beyond.”

Circle K International is a Kiwanis affiliated premier collegiate and university organization founded on the basis of community service, leadership development and friendship growth according to their website. A self-governing organization, CKI elects its own officers, conducts its own meetings and determines its own service activities.

CKI blends community service projects and leadership training with various opportunities to interact with other college students around the globe for the “purpose of making a difference in the world,” as emphasized on Circle K International’s mission statement.

The service and leadership organization has over 13,770 members in 17 nations around the world, and Whitley said he aims to grow membership of ECU’s chapter of Circle K during his presidency.

“Students should get involved with Circle K because it provides plenty of service opportunities and gives students the chance to travel and make a difference not just in school, but around the world,” said Whitley. “It’s also a big networking organization where you can meet people with offers for internships and jobs. I’ve met many who have helped and provided me with opportunities in my educational endeavors,” said Whitley.

Whitley’s experience with Kiwanis dates back to his time in high school, where he was the Lt. Gov. of his high school’s Key Club, which is a Kiwanis International high school service program. Wanting to continue his work in the organization, he said he continued his membership by joining his local Circle K and worked his way up into the Lt. Gov. position as well.

“I’m ecstatic but nervous to be the president of such a recognizable organization. I’ve been involved in service organizations before, but I’ve never held the position as president,” said Whitley. “I’m usually not the frontman when it comes to things like this, but it’s exciting and intimidating. Knowing what I know along with my experience in this organization, I think I can and will help build the ECU chapter of Circle K.”