1848 April 28 – Dr. Godwin Cotton Moore proposed the idea of a girls school in a meeting at his home - Mulberry Grove.
May 19 – The Chowan Baptist Association approves a motion to establish Chowan Female Collegiate Institute, a four-year women’s college in Murfreesboro.
1853 1951-56
August 8-10 – first graduate, Annie J. Ward
F. Orion Mixon, President, envisioned the future of the college providing the first facilities master plan.
October 11 – Chowan Female Collegiate Institute formally opened in the Hertford Academy Building.
2003 April - Under the leadership of President Stanley G. Lott, Chowan secures its future and avoids closure.
1862 Mary Hayes Owen McDowell, wife of the President, defies the Confederate Army in an attempt to turn the College into a barracks for soldiers.
Archibald McDowell was appointed Principal. Served from 1848–1849 and 1862–1881.
Chowan remained open throughout the Civil War.
1861-65 The McDowell Columns building, which currently houses the administrative offices, opened.
1851
1931 Male students were admitted
September - The story of the “Brown Lady” began. One of the most revered traditions
1943 Chowan College closed during World War II on May 17, 1943
Chowan became a junior college.
1938
1885
1995
1967
1985
First African American Student enrolled, Emma Jane Parker, Murfreesboro, NC.
First class inducted into the James G. “Jim” Garrison Athletic Hall of Fame.
Chowan College reopened as a coeducational twoyear institution under the leadership of Bonnie David Bunn, President.
1949
1993 NCAA Division III Athletically.
Highest enrollment achieved: 1,545 students.
First baccalaureate degrees conferred.
1971
1994
May - First Harris Scholars Study tour: Paul’s second Missionary Journey, Turkey and Greece.
Kaye Gibbons Awarded Inaugural Mary Frances Hobson Award.
Greatest expansion of campus buildings and academic programs under the leadership of Bruce E. Whitaker, President.
1960s-80s
Returned to four year status under the leadership of Jerry F. Jackson, President.
1992
2007 NCAA Division II Athletically.
Conference Membership USA South Athletic Conference.
2009 First International Missions Trip - Mabopana, South Africa.
2017 Conference Membership, Conference Carolinas, Athletic Conference.
August - Chowan University enrolled students in two new masters programs: Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Organizational Leadership. September 9 - Ground breaking for the Chapel.
Conference Membership CIAA Athletic Conference.
2008
2002
Named Chowan College.
1910
2021
2005
Under the transformational leadership of M. Christopher White, President, Chowan experienced the greatest renaissance in modern history.
2003-18
The name of the institution was changed to Chowan University and the mascot to Hawks.
2006
Chowan University enrolled students in its first masters program: Master of Education.
2010
Chowan will celebrate its 175th Anniversary. June - Kirk E. Peterson becomes the 23rd President of the University. Fundraising records achieved, the construction of the Cross of Christ Outdoor Chapel, the Chapel, and Graduate Enrollment Expansion.
2018
2023