The Sybil Jean Thornton Memorial Scholarship for Theater

This scholarship is established in memory of Sybil Jean Thornton, a proud alumna and lifelong pirate, who pursued her passion of theatre and the arts at East Carolina University (ECU). Sybil’s dreams of becoming an actress, director, and playwright began in her small hometown of Henderson, North Carolina and her ambition led her to ECU where she performed in and directed countless productions before chasing her dreams to New York City. Her time at ECU was filled with joy and laughter, where the support of friends, family, and faculty allowed her creativity to thrive and showed her the power of the arts to inspire, uplift, and heal.

Sybil not only loved theatre, but she loved her family and friends and always supported them. She believed in dreaming big and always being kind. Sybil passed away in 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer, throughout which time she remained steadfast in her kindness, generosity, and commitment to lifting others up. This scholarship aims to give back to the ECU community that meant so much to Sybil by supporting students who share in her passion for helping others and her belief that the arts make the world a kinder and more beautiful place.