Twin Graduation at ECU: Building National Security

Keeping the Armed Forces Safe

For two U.S. Navy commanders who happen to be twin sisters, East Carolina University has been central to their ambitions to serve the country. 

Brenda and Linda Sharpe, from Pinetops, N.C., graduated in spring 2025 from ECU with doctorates in public health. Years ago, both of them had earned bachelor’s degrees from ECU in environmental health science. 

Choosing that field was not random.

When the sisters were growing up, their mother worked in a toy factory. They recalled that their mother was exposed to bits of plastic. Worried about such health threats, the sisters resolved to try to prevent them. 

“I was tired of seeing my mom come home full of plastic and coughing,” Linda Sharpe says. “I remember I wanted to do something to change this.” 

Eventually they became industrial hygienists in the Navy, with responsibility for monitoring safety aboard hospital ships and aircraft carriers. They were able to continue their naval duties while taking courses online from ECU—over a six-year period—to earn their doctorates. Their expertise and leadership are contributing to the safety of our armed forces. 

East Carolina University, with about 27,000 students in the city of Greenville, has been building North Carolina and America since it was founded in 1907. 

This is higher education building our national security.