CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015

CUT

DAY

The Chowan University Alumni & Friends Magazine

Spring/Summer 2015

In Perfect

Harmony

CU today Spring/Summer 2015 Volume 69

In Perfect

Harmony

Designer/Editor: Josh Barker Contributing Photographers: Josh Barker, Cal Bryant, John Dilustro, Alison Kolezynski, Leah Lambson, Frank and Barbara Mayo, John McKeith, Brooke Reich, Charles Revelle, Amy Wethington Contributing Writers: Josh Barker, Alison Kolezynski, Meredith Long, Brooke Reich Printed by: Teagle & Little

Office of Development Staff Vice President for Development John M. Tayloe (252) 398-1232 Senior Development Director and Director of Alumni Relations Kay Thomas (252) 398 - 6436 Director of Church and Community Relations Lou Ann Gilliam (252) 398 - 6317 Director of Annual Fund Elizabeth Riddick (252) 398 - 6226 Director of University Relations Josh Barker (252) 398 - 6319 Associate Director of University Relations Brooke Reich (252) 398 - 6234

In This Issue 6 ��������������������������� In Perfect Harmony Music at Chowan Strikes a Chord

Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Development Liz Brown (252) 398 - 1233

10........... The War on Cyberbullying

Important Contacts

16..................... A Blast From the Past

Admissions: 1 (888) 4-CHOWAN Athletics Offices: (252) 398 - 1239 Office of the President (252) 398 - 6221

1960’s Decade Reunion

www.chowan.edu www.gocuhawks.com www.facebook.com/chowanalumni www.twitter.com/chowanalumni

Chowan on the Frontline

18 ����������������������������� Chowan Athletics Championships, Trophies, and More

28....... Class Acts & Alumni Letters

“Our spring enrollment was the highest the school has ever seen! Record-breaking enrollments and increased retention are the results of University-wide efforts to encourage more personal student support and engagement - and they’re paying off. A recent National Survey of Student Engagement found that Chowan rises above the survey averages in the areas of academic challenge, learning with peers, experience with faculty and overall campus environment. Chowan seniors averaged a full 30% above the southeastern private average in learning community, service learning, research with faculty, internships, study abroad and culminating senior experiences. The survey also indicates that Chowan seniors are more challenged to do their best work and have a higher academic emphasis than other private colleges in our region. This growing harmony emerging between our students, faculty, staff, and supporters is the reason we do what we do and we’re grateful for your support, which makes it all possible.” -Dr. M. Christopher White, President, Chowan University Pictured with Dr. White (from left to right) are Zulay Romero, second-year studio art major from New Bern, NC; Melanie Harris, third-year physical education major from Belhaven, NC; Christina Thomas, third-year business administration major from Corapeake, NC; and Victor Chilaka, graduating English major from Conway, NC.

Seeds of Generosity

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One Man Inspires a Generation to Give Back

ertain individuals leave a legacy that seems larger than life itself. So it was with James “Jim” T. Johnson, Sr. of Ahoskie, North Carolina. The provisions he left behind recently allowed his children to make a record-breaking gift to Chowan University toward the scholarship in his name. His true legacy, however, comes from the life he led. The lessons etched deeply on the hearts and minds of his children, his grandchildren, seemingly everyone he encountered, were taught not with words, but by the quiet example of the way he engaged with the world on a daily basis.

The strength of that legacy is evident in his children. Jim’s son Jamie, also of Ahoskie, radiates energy and charm. As small talk turns toward the subject of his father, however, Jamie’s eyes fill with love and his voice falters. In the silence that falls while he collects himself, a world of emotion is expressed. The connection to Jim is palpable, powerful, and real.

“I think he was really genuinely generous,” Jamie begins.

“He did well with his business, but he always could relate to the dirt farmer and the person that came from nothing, basically.”

Indeed, Jim understood the consequences of lack. Born May 9, 1922, in Scotland Neck, he was the son of the late Hugh and Ruby Tillery Johnson. Although Jim’s early years were

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spent in Scotland Neck, the loss of the family farm in the Great Depression resulted in a family move to Raleigh where he later graduated from N.B. Broughton.

“My dad was standing with his family on the town square in Scotland Neck where they were auctioning off the family possessions,” Jamie says. “I think Daddy never forgot what he could have been if he had not worked hard and had the opportunity to go to a good school.”

According to Jamie, his father was not unlike many others that might have had opportunities from families in that “Greatest Generation” because, as he notes, “There are a lot of people that had that drive.” Yet the opportunity for personal growth and good education are key components of improving one’s circumstances. Which is exactly why Johnson’s family feels the scholarship in his name is so appropriate.

The James “Jim” T. Johnson, Sr. Scholarship Endowment Fund was initiated at Chowan University in 2008 shortly after Jim’s death by gifts from family and friends, led by Bynum Brown of Murfreesboro. The permanently endowed scholarship provides financial assistance to a worthy fulltime student, with preference given to residents of Halifax, Hertford, and Northampton counties.

“I think this scholarship at Chowan fits in with his personality, because he gave all his kids opportunities to have an education from nice schools,” Jamie says. “So many people that live in this area don’t have that opportunity. Now with all the improvements going on, and with Chowan sitting right here in the backyard, why not choose something that’s local?”

Jim’s first love was farming, and he had a deep love for eastern North Carolina. He graduated from North Carolina State College in 1947, completing his degree after an interruption to serve in World War II. Upon graduation, he returned to Scotland Neck and began farming. He was also a creative entrepreneur whose vivid ideas led to successful business ventures that included nursing homes, restaurants, LP gas distribution, Ace Hardware and other endeavors in Scotland Neck and Ahoskie areas.

Jim’s son, Hugh, of Hawaii, suggested the scholarship gift and there was immediate agreement from siblings Howard Evans Johnson, of Ahoskie, Mandy Johnson, of Morehead City, and Katy Lewis, of Scotland Neck. “This three county region is where Daddy made his living and his life. Why not give it back to serve those same three counties?” Jamie adds.

“Say your prayers before you go to bed; brush your teeth; thank the good Lord; that’s sort of life in the South,” says Jamie. “I could see so many things my dad lived that were Christian values on a daily basis, as opposed to just talking about it. There are a lot of people that can play the game, but you can tell when there’s real meaning behind it, and my dad was a genuine gentleman and friend to lots of people.”

It’s clear that there are few regrets or words left unsaid between Jim and his children. Yet Jamie mentions one thing he would have done differently. “If we had it to do over again, we would have done some more giving while he was alive. I think people sometimes, my dad included, want to make sure their family is going to have enough to live on,” he explains.

“So they just hang onto everything, then leave something in a will for somebody. I realize now that he could have given more

The Late James “Jim” T. Johnson of Ahoskie, NC

away while he was living and still have remained comfortable and still have done what he wanted to for his own family. I think that’s something people miss out on. Give something away now, while you can see the benefits.”

In November, the family will have an opportunity to meet the first recipient of the scholarship at Chowan’s Scholarship Luncheon. They will have some advice to share on behalf of their father. “I think Daddy would tell them not to miss a single opportunity,” Jamie says. “Be involved, not just scholastically.

Be involved in the school and be involved in the community.

Take advantage of what you’ve been given. Work hard, play hard. And give something back.”

“ I think Daddy would tell them not to miss a single opportunity.

Be involved, not just scholastically. Be involved in the school and be involved in the community. Take advantage of what you’ve been given.

Work hard, play hard. And give something back. ” CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 3

A Legacy That Endures

Chowan Receives Gift from Carol Neal Estate

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gift set in motion over twenty years ago came to fruition with the establishment of the Carol S. Neal Scholarship Endowment Fund on March 2, 2015.

The permanently endowed scholarship will provide financial assistance to a worthy full-time student attending Chowan University. It was set in motion in 1984 with the establishment of Carol S. Neal’s revocable trust agreement.

Neal’s trust provided financial assistance for her family, as well as for worthy charitable causes. The terms of the trust provided financial support for Neal’s niece Lelia Simpson throughout her lifetime. Upon the death of Ms. Simpson the remaining principal was divided between Chowan University and The New England Conservatory of Music. Neal specified in her trust that the University’s portion of the trust would be used to establishe a general education scholarship.

An initial gift of $2,500 was made to Chowan through Neal’s estate following her death in 1987. The final gift from Neal’s trust, made in January of this year, was more than enough to fully endow the Carol S. Neal Scholarship. Only the annual earnings from the principal of the gift will be available for scholarship awards, which ensures that Neal’s gift will be a lasting one. It will benefit Chowan students for years to come.

Neal’s trust is one example of the many possibilities available through Planned Giving. Through her careful stewardship, she was able to provide for both family, and the passions that were dear to her heart.

Partner With Chowan Through Planned Giving We have an increasing number of friends at Chowan who have made an investment of a lifetime through bequests, gift annuities and other plans.

What to Give • • • •

Stocks and Bonds Land/Real Estate Retirement Assets Cash

How to Give

• • • • • • • • •

Bequest Charitable or Gift Annuity Charitable Unitrust Charitable Annuity Trust Charitable Lead Trust Sale and Unitrust Bargain Sale Give it Twice Trust Life Estate Reserve

For information on Planned Giving contact John Tayloe in the Office of Development at 252-396-1232 or tayloj1@chowan.edu

Ten New Scholarships Established • • • • • • • • • •

Bynum R. Brown Swimming Scholarship Grace G. Brown Swimming Scholarship Kelvin Scott Hoggard Memorial Scholarship Virgil I. Krapauskas History Scholarship Paul C. and Lila L. Murdock Chowan Christian Service Association Scholarship Carol S. Neal Scholarship New Vision Ministries Missions Endowment Robbie and Malinda Parker Chowan Christian Service Association Scholarship W. Julian Robertson, Jr. Music Scholarship The Bridge Fund Scholarship

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The Bridge Fund

Bridge Foundation Alumni Spotlight Bridging the Gap for Chowan Students

From left to right: Clarence Russell, Jill Awuni, President White, LaTisha Flood, and Anthony Rawlings sign the Bridge Fund Sholarship agreement.

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howan University is committed to serving many students who might not have an opportunity to attain a college education elsewhere. Many of our students come from homes with limited financial support. Chowan seeks to meet the needs of these students through financial aid, yet sometimes the needs are greater than what the University can provide. A small and determined group of community and faith leaders helmed by Chowan Instructor in Religion and Director of International Student Affairs Jill Awuni has taken up the call to do even more.

The Bridge Fund was established to help “bridge the gap” to make it possible for students of promise to stay in school and continue their education. Sometimes a minimal gift of support is all that’s needed to ensure a student’s ability to complete their education. The group, which includes Jeremiah Cole, LaTisha Flood, Athony Rawlings, and Clarence Russell, is made up of current and former Chowan students well-acquainted with the rigors of academic and financial challenges.

“I am inspired by Chowan’s motto: Faith In Your Future,” says Russell. “However, when one is making the journey from the present to the future, you need a bridge,”

The group believes deeply in the communal responsibilities of caring for and educating young people.

“In Africa we say it takes a village to raise a child,” Awuni says. “This simply means we are all in this together. I can’t sit and say, I am not an American, I don’t know these students, therefore, I should not bother myself with them. The world is that village, one of these students will become my lawyer, minister, doctor, pilot, caterer and co-workers or they can become the problem in the world or society. If I turn my back on them, I will reap the pain.”

The Bridge Fund also emphasizes the exponential power that occurs when everyone gives what they can from whatever resources might be at their disposal. “I am not rich, but little drops make a mighty ocean, and it starts with one drop. I want to be the first drop and hope that everyone drops their drop,” Awuni continues. “I remember when someone bridged the gap for me to be where I am today. It was the village’s responsibility to raise me, and now I participate in this global village. In giving, I find the meaning of my living. The Bridge is your baby, too. Let’s take care of this village.”

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 5

Unveiling Briley Recital Hall Transformation and Dedication of Performance Space Celebrated with Piano Duet Concert

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The Dedication & Celebration

project which has been on the wish list for far too long was completed this spring to spectacular aplomb.

The Recital Hall in Daniel Hall was in great need of some care. When the National Association of Schools of Music requested our recital hall to be handicapped accessible and up to a higher standard, the work began in earnest. In July demolition of parts of the Recital Hall filled several dumpsters.

Workers gutted the space, bids were let, and construction was underway for a beautiful new small recital hall. The recital hall was transformed from an awkward, drab space to a performance venue the university can be proud of.

James and Nell Briley were known by residents of Henderson, North Carolina as true community leaders. A visionary in the automotive industry, Mr. Briley served as president and secretary of Eveready Chevrolet Co., Inc. of Henderson and executive vice president of Bricker LincolnMercury, Inc. of Hollywood, California. He is past president of both the Henderson Kiwanis Club and Henderson Shrine Club. Mr. and Mrs. Briley were active members of the First Baptist Church in Henderson.

As a former Board of Visitor member and Trustee, the Brileys expressed their dedication to Chowan University and the education of young people through the establishment

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of the James Lawson Briley Friends of Teacher Education Scholarship. Their love for Chowan University permeated to their only child, Linda Briley Weaver, pictured above with President and Mrs. White.

Linda has made Chowan University her heart and passion.

She has served Chowan as a Trustee for nearly 20 years, is a member of the Executive Committee, and is chair of the Friends of Teacher Education Board of Directors. Like her parents, her desire is to provide opportunities for young people to succeed in life, to grow spiritually, and to enhance their lives through the joys of music.

As work neared completion, one question remained. What would we call the newly revamped recital space? The fulfillment of such an undertaking called for a proper and befitting name.

Linda Weaver chose to honor the memory of her parents through the dedication of the new Briley Recital Hall.

Concert space completed and name in hand, Chowan University set out to plan a party to celebrate both the completion and naming of Briley Hall. Special effort was given to making sure the dedicatory fete reflected the personalities of the individuals being honored and the grandness of the occasion. A stirring Piano Duet concert was held on Friday, March 20, 2015 with reception following.

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The Piano Duo

he Hwang-Wan Piano Duo was formed in early 2010, when pianists ChiHee Hwang and Agnes Wan were both faculty members at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University. The duo has performed on the Signature Series and Nightcap Series at the Blair School of Music, and on the Sondheim Chamber Music Series at the Sondheim Center for Performing Arts, Fairfield Arts and Convention Center in Fairfield, Iowa. Other recitals have been given at the University of Tennessee and the Steinway Piano Gallery of Nashville, to name a few. Despite the distance, the partners intend to continue their periodic collaborations in years to come.

Guest Artist ChiHee Hwang has performed solo and chamber recitals in Korea and the United States, featuring advanced repertoire such as Béla Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion. In addition to her collaboration with Agnes Wan, she has been sought after particularly in the area of duo piano performances, partnering with other prominent pianists in Tennessee, such as Jama Reagan and Patricia Carter.

Hwang is currently a Senior Artist Teacher at the Blair School of Music in Vanderbilt University, where she has been on the full-time faculty since 2005.

She holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Hanyang University – a top music school in Seoul, Korea, and a second

Agnes Wan and ChiHee Hwang dazzle the crowd at the Briley Recital Hall Piano Duet Dedicatory Concert.

Master of Music degree from the University of Te n n e s s e e .

Ag nes Wan joined C how an Un i v e r s i t y in the fall of 2014. A Steinway Artist since 2013, the Hong Kong native has been hailed as a “big pianist, big musician, big potential.” She has given solo recitals in fifteen states, the District of Columbia, Canada, France, and Hong Kong. Most recently, she was selected through a worldwide audition to give a solo recital on the “Pianists of the World” Series at the prestigious St. Martinin-the-Fields in London, United Kingdom in September 2015.

Wan holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa and an Artist Diploma from the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music. She also studied at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and Loyola University New Orleans, where she obtained undergraduate and master’s degrees in piano performance and music therapy.

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 7

Once Upon a Lifetime Chowan Choir to Perform at Carnegie Hall

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ow do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice...or you could go with Chowan University.

Few musicians, even those of the highest caliber, ever expect to see the view looking out over the footlights to a packed audience at Carnegie Hall in New York City. It’s a dream come true, the chance of a lifetime for the small group of Chowan students and local singers who are scheduled to take the stage on the afternoon of February 13, 2016.

“It’s an absolutely wonderful opportunity,” beamed Aaron Rice, Assistant Professor of Music and Choral Director for Chowan University. “We couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Rice has been teaching and directing the University’s various vocal ensembles since his arrival in the fall of 2013, including the Chowan Chorus, Chowan Singers, and Cantare. This opportunity arrived, in part, thanks to Aaron’s involvement. The invitation came by way of Rice’s long-time mentor and friend, a professional conductor who regularly leads concert performances on the Carnegie Hall stage. The

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Chowan University choir, along with a small group of local supporters who will lend their vocal talents, will join with nearly two hundred other accomplished musicians to present John Rutter’s Magnificat.

“It will be entirely different compared to what our students are accustomed,” mused Rice. “To be part of such a large ensemble, to participate in and be surrounded by such a full sound, and in a hall with such storied history. It will not be the usual performance experience.”

Designed by architect William Burnet Tuthill and built by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1891, Carnegie Hall is one of the most prestigious venues in the world. More than 46,000 events have taken place in Carnegie Hall’s three auditoriums since its opening 1891. Please join us in offering our congratulations to the Chowan student and community performers who will be joining their ranks. We wish them the best of luck.

Music Students Garner National Recognition Two students from the Chowan University Department of Music have been selected to perform with the 2015 National Small-College Intercollegiate Band to be held March 25-28 at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Junior Music Education major Nick Gaffney (saxophone) of Waldorf, MD has been fully accepted to perform with the ensemble, while fellow Junior Music Education major McKaela Lane (bassoon) of Knotts Island, NC is recognized as an alternate.

“Quite simply, this is the musician’s equivalent of earning a position on the NCAA All-American College Football team,” said Michael Butrico, director of bands at Chowan.

The general spirit and mission of the SCIB is to provide highly talented students from band programs at 4-year universities with fewer than 5000 students the opportunity to perform high quality literature at the College Band Directors National Association’s National Conference under a renowned conductor. This is truly a significant achievement when one considers that 70% of all postsecondary universities in the United States have enrollment of fewer than 5000 students!

This is only the second time that a student of Chowan University has been selected. Current senior Music Education major Vaughn Byrd (trombone) of Stafford, VA was a 2013 participant.

Congratulations to Nick Gaffney and McKaela Lane for their recognition and outstanding achievement!

Jim Guthrie Wins Composer Award Associate Professor of Music James Guthrie, pictured above, has been chosen as an ASCAP Plus Award recipient. The awards, made by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, reflect its continuing commitment to assist and encourage ASCAP composers. Awards are granted by an independent panel and are based upon the unique prestige value of each writer’s catalog of original compositions as well as recent performances in areas not surveyed by the Society.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has a membership association of more than 500,000 American composers, songwriters, lyricists and music publishers of every kind of music. Through agreements with affiliated international societies, it also represents hundreds of thousands of music creators worldwide.

The National Association for Music Education gave Chowan the 2013-2014 North Carolina Chapter of Excellence Award after competing against every public and private university in the state for the honor.

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 9

Fighting O

n o r a W e Th

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On the Frontline

g n i y l l u b r n Cybe US Army Calls Upon Chowan University’s Dr. Ashley Doane to Research Cyberbullying

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s a special appointment through the Consortium Research Fellows Program, Chowan University’s Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr. Ashley N. Doane now has the distinguished accolade as a Senior Research Consortium Fellow assisting the U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences.

According to their website, the Consortium Research Fellows Program, or CRFP, is a partnership between the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area and several Department of Defense agencies. The CRFP fosters a strong relationship between the higher education community and the DoD. Professors lend their specialized expertise to DoD projects and widen the scope of their research.

Doane was honored with this new appointment for her valued research into cyberbullying to address the topic of cyberbullying among soldiers. Doane was specifically requested by a senior researcher at the U.S. Army Research Institute for this contracted project.

“I was asked to write a 10-15 page white paper addressing questions they had about cyberbullying,” Doane stated. “This paper reviews traditional bullying and cyberbullying research with a focus on young adults.”

The multi-faceted report first defined cyberbullying, then gave an overview of factors unique to emerging adults and workplace bullying, as well as limited research on bullying in the military.

“Cyberbullying has been linked to a number of mental health and behavioral problems,” Doane related. “Although cyberbullying is often viewed as an issue among youth, cyberbullying has also been experienced and perpetrated by adults.”

Doane offered comparisons between traditional bullying and cyberbullying and then reviewed recent studies examining cyberbullying, including its prevalence, consequences, predictors, and prevention or intervention strategies. Doane also concluded with recommendations for future research on cyberbullying among soldiers.

“Based on my previous work on cyberbullying prevention programs targeting college students, they were interested in my recommendations for addressing this important topic among soldiers,” explained Doane.

Speaking to her expertise on the topic of cyberbullying, Doane’s other professional activities for 2013 and 2014 have included her membership in the International Society for Research on Aggression, the Association for Psychological Science, the Society for the Teaching of Psychology, and the Society for Research on Child Development.

Dr. Doane had her work, A Development of the Cyberbullying Experiences Survey, published in the September 2013 journal of Emerging Adulthood. Dr. Doane also presented her work Testing of a Peer-Delivered Cyberbullying Prevention Program for College Students at the 26th annual Association for Psychological Science Convention in San Francisco, CA in May 2014.

In July 2014, Dr. Doane gave two presentations at the 21st World Meeting of the International Society for Research on Aggression held in Atlanta, Predictors of Cyberbullying Perpetration among College Students: An Application of the Theory of Reasoned Action and her work Testing of an In-Person Cyberbullying Video Prevention Program for College Students.

Dr. Doane was also honored with Chowan’s 2014 McDowell Columns Scholar Prize during the Celebration of Faculty Scholarship and Creative Achievement.

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 11

Forrest Robinson Earns Competitive Grant for Environmental Research

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Presents at Statewide Symposium

t the 10th Annual State of North Carolina Undergraduate Research and Creative Symposium held on the campus of NC State University in November, Chowan University junior Forrest Robinson presented his undergraduate research as one of 500 symposium presenters. His work was supported by one of only five research grants awarded by North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities. Dr. John Dilustro, Associate Provost and Associate Professor of Biology at Chowan University, sponsored his research project.

Robinson, a Psychology major with a minor in Biology from Denton, NC, focused his project and presentation on environmental sciences with his work at the Meherrin River Field Site, located a mile and a half from the Chowan campus.

Since Spring 2013, Chowan’s Department of Biology and Physical Sciences has operated the 115 acre field site through an agreement with the Town of Murfreesboro who owns the property along the river. The site integrates long term biodiversity monitoring into undergraduate education at the nearby university.

Robinson’s project dealt with quantifying forest CO2 soil respiration in the site’s various habitats including a swamp forest, a mixed deciduous forest and a planted pine forest.

The soil’s biological activity was measured, as well as other

The field site includes three habitats: a swamp forest, a mixed deciduous forest and a planted pine forest.

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environmental variables, for each of the three forest types.

“I used an infrared Vernier device with a gas sensor connected to a self-made chamber and took readings for three weeks,” Robinson explained. “While I was recording the data, I was also taking soil temperature and soil moisture readings.”

With the assistance of Dr. Dilustro’s son Frank, a sophomore at Ridgecroft School, Robinson also studied soil core samples and performed the lab analysis for soil organic matter using a loss on ignition test.

“You place samples in a furnace that burns all the carbon away, and you subtract the remaining mass and you get the soil organic matter,” Robinson related. “Then I also took core samples and sent them into the North Carolina Department of Agriculture for an additional soil nutrient analysis.”

Robinson shared his findings at the undergraduate presentation where he revealed his results – the swamp forest produced the most carbon dioxide, as well as measured the highest amount of soil organic matter, followed by the mixed deciduous forest and then lastly, the pine forest.

Robinson’s findings will help environmental monitoring, especially in this region, as well as having applications in the growing industry of CO2 storing techniques that can help address and manage CO2 emissions.

Science Club Serves Over Spring Break

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ive biology students from the Chowan University Science Club participated in an Alternative Spring Break trip to the Outer Banks this March. The students were accompanied by Dr. Bo Dame, Assistant Professor of Biology & Physical Sciences.

The students stayed at the historic Pine Island Lodge on the northern Outer Banks, part of the Donal C. O’Brien, Jr. Audubon Sanctuary and Center in Corolla. The Sanctuary encompasses approximately 3000 acres and protects a variety of critical coastal habitats including maritime forest and relic dunes, permanent and ephemeral ponds, marshes, creeks and open water. The sanctuary is an internationally significant site for migrating birds, particularly waterfowl, and provides refuge for a host of other species. More information on the Audubon Sanctuary can be found at http://pineisland. audubon.org.

“I wanted to help the Audubon group. They are renovating the old hunting lodge, a garage and some small buildings they also have on the land so that interns and other people who are helping can stay at their site,” offered sophomore volunteer Charles Blackburn of Wingate, NC. “They are about protecting many species of birds including waterfowl, and when more interns can stay at the site, they can help maintain the upkeep of bird count, help bring in more money to keep the Audubon going, and help make more internships available.”

Students assisted Audubon staff at Pine Island with site maintenance, debris pick-up and removal, and clearing vegetation. “It was a good accomplishment because we all worked together as a team,” said Blackburn, who majors in Environmental Biology. “When we started working, we all

figured out a system. We had cleaned the garage by the end of the day and the owners were quite ecstatic. It felt good to help, knowing that Audubon helps with protecting the birds and knowing that they want to have more room for more internship opportunities.”

Students also assisted staff of the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve. The students worked at the Currituck Banks site just north of Corolla which encompasses approximately 1000 acres and protects important habitat from the ocean beach to the marshes in Currituck Sound. More information can be found at www.nccoastalreserve.net/web/crp/currituck-banks.

“The student’s main task was to help establish a rain garden which will provide a storm water management system for the site’s parking facility,” explained Professor Dame. “They also assisted with invasive plant species removal, and debris pickup and removal.”

The trip was more than just work for the students. They also got to visit the various coastal habitats, including a ride along the beach in the 4-wheel drive area north of Corolla, and learned about the processes that create and shape the Outer Banks. And, of course, there was time for some fun in the sun and sand!

From left to right – Charles Blackburn of Wingate, NC; Mandy Strickland of Salisbury, NC; Jasmine Miles of Burlington, NC; Sarah Smith of Charlotte, NC; Tyler Richards of Raleigh, NC and Dr. Bo Dame.

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 13

Dorothy Allison Named Hobson Prize Recipient For over two decades, Chowan University has honored influential authors of the South through the Hobson Prize for Distinguished Achievement in Arts & Letters. On April 27th, the Hobson Prize was presented to author, poet, and speaker Dorothy Allison, best known for Bastard Out of Carolina, which led to the film version directed by Angelica Houston in 1996.

Her second novel, Cavedweller, was published in 1998 and became a New York Times bestseller. It won the 1998 Lambda Literary Award for fiction and was a finalist for the Lillian Smith Prize.

Cavedweller was also adapted for the stage and screen, most notably in the 2004 film starring Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon.

A l l i s o n’s writing addresses themes of class struggle, sexual abuse, child abuse, feminism and lesbianism.

She has earned a number of awards, including several Lambda Literary Awards. In 2006 Allison was selected as Writer in Residence for Columbia College in Chicago. She served as the Emory University Center for Humanistic Inquiry’s Distinguished Visiting Professor for spring 2008.

Allison also acted as the McGee Professor of Writing at Davidson College in the fall of 2009.

New Films@Chowan Series Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Classic Cinema This year, Chowan proudly introduced a new program for the community to enjoy, “Films@Chowan”. With the theme for this first session being “Old Films, New Ideas”, the series highlighted films from 1939 in their 75th anniversary.

The first film featured was the ever-popular The Wizard of Oz, followed by the Manifest Destiny-inspired railroad homage Union Pacific, and later followed by a viewing of the film adaptation for John Steinbeck’s cautionary tale Of Mice & Men. Following a screening of the film, participants engaged in riveting discussions of the new ideas the old films had generated.

Facilitating the discussions were members of the University/Community Committee: Dr. John Davis, Professor of English who teaches Chowan’s Appreciation of Film course; Dr. Greg Taylor, Associate Professor of History; Georgia Williams, Head of Whitaker Library; Kerri Albertson, Director of Chowan’s Writing Center; Curtis Loftis, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design; and Hugh Davis, English instructor at C.S. Brown High School and community representative.

The Films@Chowan series is free of charge and open to the public and additionally, educators in attendance also received Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credit. More classic films, including Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, will be added to the series later this semester.

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SeniorFest 2015

SeniorFest 2015 saw this year’s featured guest, humorist, composer and musician Pepper Choplin entertain and inspire the crowd of over 300 senior adults from across the region.

The day also included a classic southern buffet, campus and art center tours and informative breakout sessions.

Breakout sessions included “Cancer Care-Hope for Tomorrow” with Dr. Michael Hopkins of Vidant RoanokeChowan Hospital’s Hematology and Cancer Services department, “Fun with Fitness” featuring exercise specialist

and wellness coach Jason Jenkins and water aerobics and line dancing instructor Lisa Lane, “Red and Yellow, Black and White” which led a timely discussion about spirituality and race, “Where There's a Will... There's a Way” with will preparation advice from the NC Baptist Foundation, “Before We Forget!

Writing Our Family Stories” led by Chowan’s Writing Center Director Kerri Albertson and “A Closer Walk with Thee” with Rick Jordan of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of NC searching for a deeper and more meaningful spiritual life.

Rouson Honors Noteworthy Citizens Celebrating the rich tapestry of our community, the Rouson Memorial Lecture saw the Minnie Wood Perkins Humanitarian Award go to NC Representative Howard Hunter III, accepted from Mayor John Hinton on his behalf by his wife, Dr. Wanda Hunter, pictured below. This year’s Futrell/ Ruffin Community Service Award went to local dignitary Lillie OwensWhite, pictured below at left.

“I am grateful for this recognition, but it is not why I serve,” commented Mrs. Owens-White. “I believe we are called by God to use our talents to be advocates for this community.”

At right, Reverend W. Rob Lewis II, former Chief District Court Judge, was the day’s special guest speaker with a motivating and passionate call for young students to take action and responsibility early in their lives.

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 15

60N’ IsON ’

REU

CHOWAN

Blast From the Past

Filled with fun fellowship, the Reunion for the Chowan Classes of 1960 to 1969 on April 11th began with a reception at the Camp President’s Home & Gardens. As the party moved to the Helms Center, special entertainment featured Milton Bullock, one of the original members of the Platters, who also signed autographs and posed for pictures after his concert.

A delicious buffet lunch was accentuated by the music of Chowan’s own senior Music Education major Vaughn Byrd of Stafford,VA singing his version of classic hits from the 1960s. A fabulous Journey Down Memory Lane slide show presentation, prepared by your Alumni Relations Director Kay Thomas, brought the past back to the present. It can be found, along with more photos from the event, on www.facebook.com/ChowanAlumni.

The day ended with tours of the beautiful campus in its springtime splendor, as well as tours of the Helms Center to show the construction of the new pool facilities currently underway.

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Singing classic hits like “Only You,” “You’ve Got The Magic Touch,” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” Milton Bullock was a highlight of the reunion.

The Golden Platter

Oh, how I recall, and very vividly, the day we ‘The Platters’ were warmly greeted and welcomed by the Chowan College faculty to perform for the students of 1965 there on the stage in the auditorium!

As it was very special for me, members of my family from Eastern NC and Virginia drove down to witness our historical performance!

Right afterwards, we headed straight to New York City to record the “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”-- which was broadcast nationally and world wide at that time!!

Milton Bullock - “The Golden Platter”

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 17

Hop on the Bus! Can you recognize any of your classmates from the Classes of 1960 to 1969? Here’s a hint - two of them are actually President and Mrs. White!

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CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 19

Volleyball Wins 3rd CIAA Conference Championship in Six Seasons

T

he battle for the 2014 CIAA Volleyball Championship ended in decisive fashion as the Chowan Hawks topped the Fayetteville State University Lady Broncos 3-0 to earn their third CIAA Volleyball Championship in program history.

The Hawks used 27 team kills and took advantage of 34 Lady Bronco errors to earn the victory. Melanie Chaussee led all players in the contest with eight kills in the win while Suraya Chase chipped in seven kills and nine digs. Jordan Miller and Allison Smith each tallied 10 digs in the contest while Smith also dished out 24 assists. Chase and Brittany Tschida each grabbed five blocks for the Blue and White.

Fayetteville State University scored the first point in the contest after taking advantage of a Hawk attack error. A kill by

20 CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015

Brittany Tschida for the Hawks knotted the score 1-1. From that point forward, the score was tied four times before back-to-back attack errors put the Hawks ahead 13-11. Chowan maintained the advantage for the remainder of the first set and led by as many as eight (21-13) points before a Lady Broncos’ attack error secured the 25-16 victory for the Hawks.

Fayetteville State took an early 2-0 lead in the second set before a kill by Chaussee and a Lady Bronco attack error knotted the score 2-2. Both teams battled for control of the score and momentum as neither team maintained a lead of more than four points early in the set. With the Hawks leading 12-8, a kill

by Suraya Chase followed by a block (Chase, Tschida) gave the Hawks a 14-8 lead. Fayetteville State was unable to regain the lead but chipped away at the deficit before suffering a 25-22 loss in set two.

The Hawks came out firing on all cylinders at the start of the third set. Three Fayetteville State errors along with kills from Chaussee and Miller put Chowan ahead 5-1 early. The Hawks led by as many as eight points (15-7) before the Lady Broncos clawed their way back to pull within four points (15-11). Chowan continued to battle past what seemed to be a shift in momentum, and held the Lady Broncos to four points before closing out the set with the 25-15 victory. Miller confirmed the win for Chowan with a kill.

Miller earned CIAA Tournament MVP honors after notching 37 kills over the course of three matches. Melanie Chaussee, Cindy Ehrich, and Allison Smith earned All-CIAA First Team honors while Suraya Chase and Nikira Fults were named to the All-CIAA Second Team.

Chaussee, a senior right side hitter, led the Hawks with 300 kills this season, averaging 2.83 kills per set. The Lawrence, Kansas native added 38 digs while notching 54 blocks for the Blue and White. Heading into postseason play, Chaussee ranks sixth in the CIAA with 300 season kills and ninth in the league standings with 2.83 kills per set. Chaussee earned an additional post season honor as one of only 12 East Coast student-athletes selected to the 2014 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional AllTournament Team.

Ehrich, a junior libero, hauled in 535 digs for the Hawks this season. She remains atop the CIAA statistical rankings in both season digs (535) and digs per set (5.10) categories. Ehrich hails from Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Smith, a senior setter for the Blue and White, collected a staggering 1,022 kills this season for Chowan. The Manassas, Virginia native leads the CIAA in season assists (,1022) as well as assists per set with a 9.92 average.

Chase is one of two representatives for Chowan on the AllCIAA Second Team. She tallied 233 kills for the Hawks this season along with 37 service aces. The Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago native also notched 25 blocks while hauling in 156 digs.

Fults, an El Paso, Texas native, earned All-CIAA Second Team honors after tallying 229 kills and 67 blocks for the Hawks during the regular season.

Melanie Chaussee, Cindy Ehrich, and Allison Smith earned the North Carolina Collegiate Sports Information Association All-State Second Team recognition as well.

CHAMPIONS - (front row from left) CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams, Head Coach Dawn Peipher, Brianna Smith, Cindy Ehrich, Nikira Fults, Amaris Raynor, Jordan Miller, CIAA Assistant to the Commissioner Jessica Incorminias - (back row from left)Chowan Athletic Director Ozzie McFarland, Kelsey Schlake, Jasmine Chapman, Lauren East, Allison Smith, Brittany Tschida, Melanie Chaussee, Suraya Chase, and Chowan Director of Sports Medicine Lisa Bland.

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 21

s r e z a l b l Trai Men’s Soccer Sweeps ICAA Accolades

T

he Chowan University men’s soccer team swept the Independent Collegiate Athletic Association (ICAA) awards as the Hawks won all three of the top individual awards and had four All-ICAA selections.

Terell Williamson earned ICAA Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and ICAA First Team honors after a standout season with the Blue and White. Williamson, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, notched 24 goals and five assists for the Hawks for a total of 53 points. He currently ranks first in the NCAA Division II statistical rankings with total goals (24), first in goals per game (1.33), first in total points (53), and third in points per game (2.65).

Christian Funes joins Williamson on the ICAA First Team. The San Palo Sula, Honduras native tallied nine goals on the year and posted a team-high nine assists in his rookie year with the Hawks.

Francisco Ferrus, a freshman from Guatemala City, Guatemala, scored four goals for the Hawks and had eight assists over the course of the year, resulting in ICAA Second Team honors. Jordan Radisavljevic joins Ferrus on the ICAA Second Team with seven goals and three assists on the season. Radisavljevic is a native of Strasbourg, France.

First year head coach Chris Whalley earned ICAA Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Hawks to a 12-8 season.

The 12 season wins ties the school single-season win record, originally set in 1996, and is the most wins for the program since the Hawks transitioned to NCAA Division II status. The Hawks won 10 games in the previous seven seasons combined prior to the 2014 season.

Ryan Scanlan, a senior defender from Lanham, Maryland was also recognized as a NCCAA Men’s Soccer ScholarAthlete for having maintained a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.40 on a 4.00 scale.

The ICAA is comprised of NCAA Division II schools with athletic programs that are not part of a conference. Men’s soccer members include: Cal State San Marcos, Chowan, Concordia-Irvine, Concordia-Portland, Embry Riddle, Oakland City, Oklahoma Baptist, Palm Beach Atlantic, Southern Wesleyan and Spring Hill.

22 CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015

Terell Williamson earned ICAA Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and First Team honors along with NCCSIA All-State First Team honors, NCCAA All-Region First Team and All-Tournament Team recognition and Daktronics All-Region honors. Williamson also received NSCAA/ Continental Tire NCAA Division II Men’s All-Atlantic Region Second Team recognition along with NSCAA/Continental Tire/NCCAA First Team All-American honors. He also holds a first place ranking in the NCAA D-II national standing for total goals, total points, goals per game and a second place national standing for points per game.

First-year head coach Chris Whalley earned ICAA Coach of the Year

Hawks Men’s Soccer National Rankings The team earned rankings in the Top 10 for each of the following NCAA D-II categories: 1. Points per game: 8.33, 6th in nation 2. Total points: 150, 6th in nation 3. Scoring offense: 2.89, 7th in nation 4. Total assists: 46, 7th in nation 5. Total goals: 52, 7th in nation 6. Assists per game: 2.56, 8th in nation Midfielder Terell Williamson scored three #1 Rankings: 1. Total goals: 24 2. Total points: 53 3. Goals per game: 1.33 The team collectively brought home Top 30 honors in the following individual categories: 1. Points per game: Terell Williamson, 2.94 (2nd) 2. Game-winning goals: Terell Williamson, 5 (11th) 3. Total assists: Francisco Ferrus, 8 and Christian Funes, 8 (20th) 4. Assists per game: Francisco Ferrus, .44 and Christian Funes, .44 (30th)

Hawks Women’s Soccer Honors

Marissa Ghani leads the NCAA Division II national rankings in season saves (186).

Junior goalkeeper Marissa Ghani of Mission Viejo, CA was honored as part of the NCCAA AllRegion Team. She currently leads the NCAA Division II national rankings in season saves (186).

As a team, Hawks Women’s Soccer ranks 3rd in the nation for NCAA D-II schools in total saves (228).

Juniors Samantha Persinger of Wheeling, WV, (at right above) and Jennifer Harvell of Halifax, NC, (inset) both earned the 2014 NCCAA Women’s Soccer ScholarAthletes honors.

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 23

CU CUAthletics Athletics Kamenshchikova Repeats Player of the Year

Goncalves & Stambaugh Net Tennis Honors

Natalya Kamenshchikova earned CIAA Women's Tennis Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. The Novosibirsk, Russia native also represented the Hawks on the All-CIAA Team.

Brazilian Rafael Goncalves headlines this year’s All-CIAA Team as the CIAA Men’s Tennis Player and Rookie of the Year.

Chowan University's Director of Tennis, Chris Stambaugh was named CIAA Men's Tennis Coach of the Year. Stambaugh claimed the honor for the second consecutive season.

Alcorn Named to 2nd Team All-American

Golf Wins CIAA Southern Division Tournament

Kemaree Alcorn, a redshirt freshman from Virginia Beach, VA earned NCCAA All-American Second Team recognition. He collected 31 tackles this season (20 solo, 11 assisted), two sacks, one forced fumble, one quarterback hurry and one blocked kick.

A l c o r n and freshman teammate Marcel Burns Jr. of Wilmington, NC were named to the CIAA AllRookie Team.

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Men’s Golf captured first place at the CIAA Southern Division Tournament, marking the second conference-affiliated tournament win in program history.

Below left, sophomore Jordan Francis of Boykins, VA and sophomore Billy Britton of Conway, NC, below right, earned AllTournament Team recognitions for their efforts.

Cheering the Chowan For Brave HawkHawks Fans

Miss Chowan Makes History as School's First Miss CIAA Food Lion awarded Miss Chowan University, LaTarryl Hall, with its coveted 2015 Miss CIAA crown, along with a scholarship at Time Warner Cable Arena on February 28th.

A native of Columbia, SC, Hall is a senior criminal justice major.

The Food Lion Miss CIAA competition winners are given scholarships based on their GPA, community and school involvement, biography, essay and an online popular vote.

Sapphires Earn All-CIAA Cheerleading Honors Seniors Jessica Hubbard of Yuma, Arizona, below left, and Taylor McElroy of Chester, Virginia, below right, were selected to the AllCIAA Cheerleading Team.

Basketball Teams Excel Academically The Chowan University men’s and women’s basketball teams were recognized as the teams with the highest grade point average in the CIAA. Head coach Brett Vincent stated, “I’m proud of our young men for their hard work in the classroom. We have recruited quality students that are dedicated to earning their degree.”

Junior forward Alisha Mobley of Winchester, VA was recognized as part of the AllCIAA Frontcourt Team.

Freshman forward Dhyamond Crenshaw of Burke, VA was named to the CIAA All-Rookie Team.

Senior guard Kyree Bethel of Fayetteville, NC earned AllCIAA Backcourt recognition.

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 25

The Life & Legacy of Coach Jim Garrison

Jim Garrison

The Chowan University campus and community suffered a great loss on Friday, April 3rd, as long-time Football Coach and Athletic Director, Jim Garrison, passed away. Coach Garrison spent 37 years at the helm of the then-Braves football program and as Athletic Director for the Chowan athletic department. In all, Coach Garrison spent more than 50 years of his life dedicated to Chowan and the athletic department.

Wins and losses come with every coaching position.

Coach Garrison tallied 185 career wins in 37 years as head coach for the Chowan football program. Yet the legend is made in the space between - in grueling losses, long office chats, tough, hot practices, the multitude of daily drills that not only aid in carrying a football down-field but also in carrying yourself down the field of life. The legend is made in shared memories, casual chats among friends, the extension of a hand to lift someone up, the embrace of love and respect, and the knowledge that someone will always have your back.

That was Coach Garrison. He embodied the very spirit of all the qualities he wanted to see in his players, his staff, and his friends. He, by any definition, is a legend. His life continues now in Heaven and surely by now, he has assembled his team. He will continue to spread his love, his wit, his stories, and his zest for life eternally.

26 CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015

Hall of Fame Named in honor of beloved former Athletic Director and long-time Coach, the Chowan University Jim Garrison Hall of Fame honors and memorializes outstanding student-athletes who have represented Chowan University in intercollegiate athletics competition and as well as other significant contributors to intercollegiate athletics activities at the university.

Pictured from left to right are the members of the Induction Class of 2014: Hugh Vincent Jr., Carl Lancaster, Lawrence Smith, Cartrina Williams Curry, Antwain Haskins, Gary Mattison and Fred Vinson

Hugh Vincent - Patron • • • • • • •

2006 recipient of NC Baptist Heritage Christian Service Award Served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees Served on the Board of Trustees Executive Committee Served as Chairman of the Trustees Nomination Committee Served as Vice Chairman of the Athletics Committee Founding member of the Chowan Christian Service Association Supporter of capital improvement projects for football and baseball facilities • Endowed four athletic scholarships - two supporting Men’s Basketball, one for football, and one for baseball

Carl Lancaster - Baseball, 1971-1973

Antwain Haskins - Football, 1996-2000

• .380 career batting average, 41 doubles, 9 triples and 22 homeruns • Currently in 28th season as University of Mount Olive’s Head Baseball Coach • Ranks in Top 10 in total victories and career winning percentage among NCAA D-II active coaches • Ranks in Top 21 among all-time NCAA D-II baseball coaches • His Mount Olive Trojans rank 3rd in nation this year, won Conference Carolinas title • Two-time Southeastern Region Coach of the Year • 11-time Conference Coach of the Year • NCAA D-II National Coach of the Year in 2008

• • • • • • •

Lawrence W. Smith - Football, 1962-63 & 1964-65 • • • • •

Led team to an 8-1 overall record Participated in the 1964 Olympic Boxing Trials Fought in National Golden Gloves circuit 1965 finalist in National Golden Gloves Grew business from one store to over 100 locations in Richmond and Tidewater areas • Served as President of Chowan Alumni Association, President of Braves Club, and on the Chowan Board of Visitors • 2004 Chowan Distinguished Alumni Award

Cartrina Williams Curry - Volleyball, 1988-1990 • • • • • • •

One of the best players in junior college volleyball history Team Captain 1st Team All-Conference 1st Team All Region X Region X Tournament MVP Team placed 11th in nation in 1989 Currently Head of Special Education Department and Assistant Volleyball Coach for Fort Smith Public Schools in Arkansas

Helped Braves team to first winning season in 1999 All-American South Region Defensive Back 1998 Honorable Mention All-American Defensive Back 1999 Jerry Holmes Defensive Back of the Year 1999 and 2000 Ralph Thurston Award on Defense Most Valuable Player 2000 Ranked 3rd in nation for Interceptions 1999-2000 Set Chowan School Record for Fumble Recovery for a 99 yard touchdown in 2000 • Currently owns and operates his own personal fitness studio, Studio A Fitness, in Williamsburg VA

Gary Mattison - Basketball, 1986-1988 • • • • • • • •

All-time leading scorer in Chowan junior college history Holds Chowan’s junior college record for 45 points in one game Totaled a school record 1,352 points Led Braves to NJCAA Championship Tournament Braves finished in Top 16 in the nation Selected to the NJCAA Olympic Trials Team Conference Player of the Year Region IX Player of the Year

Fred Vinson - Basketball, 1989-1991 • • • • • • •

Named Most Outstanding Male Athlete and Most Valuable Player Carolina JUCO Conference Player of the Year Region X Player of the Year First Team All-Region X All-Conference All-Tournament Region X Went on to play for NBA - Atlanta Hawks and Seattle Supersonics Named Assistant Coach/Director of Player Programs for the LA Clippers in 2007 • Named Assistant Coach with New Orleans Pelicans in 2010, now in 5th season CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 27

Class Acts A Lasting Reminder

Signs of Chowan Spirit on a Communist Island Travelling through Cuba, church friends of Chris and Linda White, Frank and Barbara Mayo, encountered an unexpectedly familiar sight – Chowan University t-shirts.

They were greeted at the Havana airport by a friendly-faced driver in a white Chowan t-shirt and later encountered a young churchgoer sporting Chowan blue at the Chapel and Senior Center in Santiago de Cuba. The Mayos were so thrilled they captured both moments and mailed photos to Dr. White.

These Chowan shirts and many other Hawks goodies are lasting reminders of the Campus Ministry mission trip to the island in the spring of 2011.

“We were the first college group at that location,” remembered Rev. Mari Wiles, Minister to the University. “They were very energized by our students and intrigued by the notion of a Christian college and Christians able to openly live their faith.”

The friendly young driver at the airport, who will not be named due to religious restraints in place across the communist country, spent the week with the mission group in 2011, driving them to work sites during the day and back to the church at night. “He is a friend, and it’s good to see him well,” remarked Wiles.

“It’s really amazing that in rural eastern North Carolina when students want to actually get plugged in, they can see the world,” Wiles added. “They can spend time in a communist country and even make friends – that’s what’s going to change the world!”

The Chapel and Senior Center in Santiago de Cuba, where the other shirt was seen, was a main focus for the mission group years ago, where Chowan wanted to help retiring church leaders who are not allowed benefits under their government.

As a small part of a larger mission, Wiles encouraged the mission students bring a large number of items to leave behind for the people of Cuba, including around 100 Chowan t-shirts.

To be part of Chowan University’s Campus Ministry and mission efforts, contact Minister to the University Rev. Mari Wiles at (252) 398-6268 or wilesm@chowan.edu.

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1950’s E. Brantley “Buck” Adcock ’55 passed away in his home surrounded by his wife and children on Nov. 9, 2014 at the age of 79 after a courageous yearlong battle with cancer. He loved Chowan and had a great time at the reunion earlier in the year.

Mildred Wheeler Morgan ’55 celebrated her 80th birthday in December in fine style with a party hosted by her family in Corapeake, NC.

1960’s Sandy Phillips ’68 is now a Travel Counselor and would love to help her friends plan their next special trip. She can be contacted at Sandy.Phillips@ AvoyaTravel.com.

1970’s James Neal Peterson ’71 is a sports writer for the Myrtle Beach Harold newspaper.

Kathy Porter Stewart ’73 passed away on February 1st after battling cancer. Last August, Kathy was able to visit campus with her former classmates one last time before she succumbed to her illness.

Stewart, at left, and Jody Litwinowicz Brown ’73 found their names still written in the closet of their old dorm room in Belk Hall.

Robert “Bobby” Trout ’79 is a Graphics Instructor with Alexandria schools, the last graphics program in northern Virginia. Over his 34 years of teaching, Trout has sent 64 students to the Graphics program at Chowan, including three current students.

For Chowan Alumni & Friends 1980’s Cathy Hart ’81, a home health care nurse for Southampton Hospital in Franklin, VA, is known as the “balloon lady” during Chowan home football games. Every time that Chowan scores a touchdown she releases a balloon.

Rev. Lindsay Andreolli-Comstock ’03 and Mary Lisa Andreolli, celebrated their marriage with friends and family in Wilmington, NC on September 7, 2014. A handful of lifelong Chowan friends were present to bless their marriage.

1990’s Jenifer McClafferty ’95 is a Small Business and Group Specialist in her 5th year with LegalShield, managing an enrollment team for employee benefits across NC & SC. She is also responsible for recruiting and training insurance agents. Previous to LegalShield, Jenifer owned her own real estate brokerage and mortgage company for 10 years and was listed as a Top 100 Realtor in the country.

Sean McClafferty ’97 is a 6th grade Math and Science teacher at Chaloner Middle School in Roanoke Rapids, NC, as well as the head boy’s basketball coach and assistant football coach.

2000’s

James T. Sterling ’03 owns Sterling Roofing Company based in Jacksonville, FL where he has a family of five. His roofing company recently completed the first ever Starbucks Cafe Green Roof at Downtown Disney Orlando, a green roof with a thriving, tropical lemongrass sustainable ecosystem.

Craig Janney ’04 will be serving the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (Decatur, GA) as the Congregational Reference and Referral Specialist, matching churches and ministers across the country.

Johnetta Sessoms Lofton ’06 is the Child Nutrition Director for Northampton County Schools.

Jonathan Hodge ’07 is an Attorney with Lord Locke LLP in Aurora, IL where he represents Fortune-500 clients in complex, high-stakes litigation.

Ryan Cline ’09 passed away October 29th at the early age of 28 as the result of a devastating car crash in Gates County.

Dennis Wells ’00 held an art exhibit at Studio 7 in Winston-Salem titled “In Their Own Words” where he created 20 pen and ink portraits of prominent individuals by using only the words they have spoken. Portraits included Robert Frost, Thomas Jefferson, Edgar Allen Poe, Jimi Hendrix and others.

2010’s Elizabeth Jernigan Cox ’11 and Gregory Cox ’13 welcomed the birth of their daughter Sydney Page Cox on January 27th. She weighed 7 lbs and 6.4 oz and was 19.5 inches tall.

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 29

Class Acts A Letter from Palestine I am Palestinian, born in the Old City of Jerusalem and raised in its small streets as well as in Bethlehem, where my dad is originally from. Straight after high school, I was told about an opportunity to attend an American university in North Carolina. When I started at Chowan back in 2009, it was my first experience travelling outside my small community.

Moving to Murfreesboro, North Carolina was nothing like I expected.

A small town with just one street, George wishing the Chowan family a Merry Christmas very few people, that shuts down in front of the Bethlehem at 6:00 pm. It was only the presence Christmas tree, December 2014. of a MacDonald’s that reminded me of my favorite movie - Hollywood took full responsibility for creating my image of America! I went to places and conditions where I was completely outside my comfort zone. I tried to make my presence felt and show up everywhere around the campus. I think of the challenges I faced at Chowan and the profound influence it has had on my life, and imagine how good it has been for me.

At Chowan, people identified me by my name and not a student number. I do feel now the great impact that resulted of my patience and determination to prove that I was just a normal college student who wanted to study, develop, and have a good experience like the rest of the students - no matter where I came from.

I have been fortunate to get a job with an international relief agency working in Palestine, thanks to my degree from Chowan that put me ahead of thousands of unemployed people in my country. It makes me more confident, since I have a long way forward in my life to enhance the situation in Palestine.

I am certainly inspired by the great principles I learned at Chowan like peace and transparency. At Chowan, I was taught the importance of the intangible values that weigh much more than what the Hollywood movies show.

Currently, Chowan is still recruiting Palestinian students on a generous scholarship every year. I really hope that this program will continue and will change so many people’s lives as it has changed mine. I urge you to meet with the Palestinian students at Chowan. They have interesting knowledge.

Hope to see you here in the Holy Land on the Chowan-guided tours!

-George Zeidan ’11 30 CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015

Bradley Cash ’12, Chowan’s Assistant Director of Residence Life, was inducted into the Gridiron Greats at Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio in September.

Jena’y Nelson ’12 is using her Chowan Business degree in her new position as an Accounting Clerk with GEO Group, Inc. at Rivers Correctional Institution in Winton, NC. Jamal “Quicksilver” Maxie ’13 is protecting the people, property and resources of the U.S. Air Force as a Security Forces Specialist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Accomplishing this goal requires extensive training in law enforcement and combat tactics since Security Forces Specialists work both stateside on bases and overseas where they can go on patrols off base. This is a physically and mentally demanding career requiring highly focused and professional individuals.

Macaulay “Mac” Chilaka Jr. ’14 and his bride Chelsea were married on September 27th at the Evangelistic Church of Deliverance in Weldon, NC. Juan Winstead ’14 is the new Band Director at Hertford County High School.

He recently led his group at the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at Riverview Elementar y School.

Nancy Turnage, Liz Livingstone, Anne Johnson, Janet Morris, Mary Ferguson and Renee Hawthorne in June 1968.

Nancy Turnage Neigenfiend, Jerry Morris Hester, Mary Ferguson Wagner, Janet Morris Belvin, and Beverly Wolfe Fergusson at their most recent reunion.

The College Hall Girls Soon it was May, 1968 and we were leaving Chowan – some It was July 15, 1966 when I received the bad news in a of us with Associate degrees in hand to bring to another college mimeographed letter from Chowan College titled “Room and some of us to start our careers.

Assignment.” I would be rooming with my TWIN SISTER – Jerry All the College Hall girls found each other about five years and I had been rooming together for the past 18 years. We were ago. In the years since 1968, the ready for someone new!

College Hall girls have been through Nonetheless, Jerry and I settled a lot – We’ve suffered divorce, the into our dorm room, met some death of a spouse, and a host of girls and soon realized that College other problems that come with Hall was going to be a lot more fun aging. But through it all we’ve never than we had previously thought. lost the good humor and love that Jerry and I soon became fast friends drew us together so many years ago. with several other residents of In 2009 we began finding each other College Hall. Beverly Wolfe (who on Facebook and since then we’ve forever after we called “Beaver,”) had several reunions. At each one, Elizabeth Livingstone (“Liz,”) Carol you would think we were still living Hewitt, Renee Hawthorne, Mary in the next room from each other at Ferguson, and Nancy Turnage, Pictured here in the 1968 Chowanoka yearbook, College Hall College Hall. (known variously as “Shirley Temple” was a white clapboard house on the edge of campus.

What is it about us that made the or “Little Girl,” depending on which friendship of the College Hall girls last? Maybe it was the fact persona she was using at the time.) Later in the year, my that the school was in such a small town that we were our own future roommate Anne Johnson joined us, making our circle best entertainment. Maybe it was the nurturing environment complete. We began calling ourselves the “College Hall Girls,” of the college that kept us safe. Maybe it was the professors and and we went everywhere together. the classes we had who helped our minds to grow. Or maybe One of the early non-academic activities we had was “Rat it was just a special magic in the walls of that old house where Week.” The Sophomore girls came over to the Freshman dorms, we first became college girls. Whatever it was, we’re all glad the taking us around at night to scare us with tales of the Brown College Hall girls became friends so many years ago. Our hair Lady, the Chowan College ghost. has thinned and our middles have thickened, but none of that Our sophomore year, we were transferred to North Hall matters. What matters is the enduring friendship we built so dorm which had been renamed Belk Hall by that time. Our many years ago on that small college campus. Thanks, Chowan, rooms were spread out and we had to make more of an effort for the friends and memories we made for life. to stay together, but we did – We still thought of ourselves as the College Hall girls.

-Janet Morris Belvin ‘68

CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015 31

Class Acts Faculty & Staff Dr. David Filligim, former Religion professor, is battling cancer and is under the care of hospice. His wife has provided their address - 1027 Winterberry Circle Leland, NC 28451. She said he would be comforted by cards and messages.

Barbara Gosnell, who worked in Chowan Library from 1972 until 1994, passed away on October 21 at the age of 86.

Randy Harrell Honored with the Spirit of Chowan Award Chowan’s Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Randy Harrell received the Spirit of Chowan Award on November 5th in front of a large and lively crowd gathered in the Helms Center for Midnight Madness. Randy Harrell has proudly served the students of Chowan with distinction and dedication since coming to Murfreesboro from California in August 2000.

“The Spirit of Chowan Award is one of the highest awards the university can give”, President Chris White remarked. “Randy’s loyalty and support of the school and its students is without question, and his commitment is beyond the call of duty.”

Intended to honor extraordinary individuals who so embody the heart and soul of the university that they warrant recognition by the university community, Randy Harrell is only the eighth recipient of the Spirit of Chowan Award since its conception by a thoughtful board member in 2003.

The first Spirit of Chowan Award was presented to Genevieve Grier, a Chowan student, in 2003. Grier exhibited great courage, Christian faith, and a love for Chowan despite living with an illness that eventually took her life.

32 CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015

Dennis Helsel, former Athletic Director, received the College Athletic Business Management Association’s George Eldridge Distinguished Service Award during the 2014 National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Convention.

William Julian “WJ” Parker passed away on January 17th at Northampton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Parker was Bursar at Chowan College from 1970 until his retirement in 1984.

Rev. Drew Phillips, Associate Minister to the University, was honored at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Heartland’s first annual “Celebration of Excellence” in St. Louis on April 30th. Drew was recognized as an exemplary emerging leader in the Fellowship for his work with underprivileged children in East St. Louis and with the students of Chowan.

Mr. Thomas Ruffin, Professor in the Business Department for over 30 years, passed away Nov. 15th at the Three Rivers Health and Rehabilitation Center of Windsor, NC at the age of 88.

Clockwise from top - Alumni and students show their support, the crowd and cheerleaders roar after a three pointer, contests included a poster competition, Miss Chowan 2014/Miss CIAA 2015 LaTarryl Hall and Murf get on TV, a student/alumni team answer trivia questions at halftime, Murf and Athletic Director Ozzie McFarland, former coach and Hall of Famer Bob Burke talks with a fan, radio’s Gattis Hodges joins Urban Sports announcers Stan Lewter and Scott Pryzwansky.

Office of Development

One Univesrity Place • Murfreesboro, NC 27855 www.chowan.edu

Please Save these Dates

Chowan Homecoming Blue & White Alumni Party Friday, October 30th Homecoming Football Game Saturday, October 31st

Scholarship Luncheon Thursday, November 5th

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