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.
28 CU Today | Spring/Summer 2015
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.
