The Cupola

The original cupola crowned the Old Austin Building and could not be preserved despite efforts. In 1996, a double-sized replica of the original cupola was installed in the Mall.70 The cupola has gained its own significance in university culture as the subject of an urban legend shared among generations of students—if a student walks under the cupola, they will not graduate within 4 years.

Photograph of the Old Austin Building Demolition

Old Austin Building demolition. 1968. Visual Media: Black and White Images. UA55.01.232. East Carolina University Digital Collections. https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/22888. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Image of the Cupola at East Carolina University

Butler, Rhett. “Cupola Images.” ECU Galleries. Accessed June 3, 2025. https://ecuphotos.zenfolio.com/p68276236/hf0cdd0f1#hf0cdd0f1.