CORINTH-HOLDERS - Brad Congleton found himself in a political storm last year as he campaigned for student body president at East Carolina University.

An anonymous e-mail to ECU administrators and students noted that Congleton, if elected, would not be a student when his term began this school year. (He graduated this spring with a bachelor's degree in sports studies.)

The e-mail led students to debate whether they should elect a non-student to such a powerful post. At ECU, the student-body president has a voting seat on the university's 13-member board of trustees.

"Some people were for it; some people were against it," Congleton said of his campaign. "They didn't know my situation at the time."

Congleton had planned all along to enter graduate school at ECU. He's now pursuing a master's degree in sports management.

School policy on the issue was vague, Congleton said, and required an interpretation of the university constitution by the school's attorney general, who ruled the constitution allowed Congleton to serve.

The Smithfield-Selma High School graduate, who won the election, is glad he stuck to his guns. "I could have pretty much given up and not gone ahead -- let it rip you apart or let it push you forward," Congleton said.

As president and as a trustee, he has plans. "My vision is to be a servant leader," he said.

What that means for student government is that Congleton's executive team -- the other officers -- will literally have seats at the table in school meetings. The president meets with more than a dozen committees and is the student body's liaison to Chancellor Steve Ballard.

In July, Congleton led students in an anti-violence rally and memorial service for two young men shot to death in downtown Greenville. The victims were Landon Blackley, an ECU student, and Andrew Kirby, a Kenly native who worked at Michelangelo's Pizza, a popular student hangout.

Congleton's also working with administrators on a grade-appeals process for students.

When the going gets tough, Congleton remembers his grandfather's advice: "Don't whine, don't complain, don't make excuses and don't quit. Faith, family and friends are going to get you through."

Congleton said he's found the words to be very true.

Congleton is the son of Churck and Besty Congleton. His mom sends him "thoughts for the day" to encourage him.

"I'm so thankful and blessed to have my friends, family and my faith," he said.