NCBERTIE-L Archives

From: "Marianne Ordway" <>
Subject: Historic Chowan College News
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 09:24:53 -0400

Good Morning Everyone,

This is a wonderful write up that Barbara Nichols Mulder has sent to
share about Frank Stephenson his association with, his latest donations
to, and his wonderful book about Chowan College. This article was
written by: Sarah Ward, Director of College Relations. Barbara takes a
great deal of warranted pride regarding her work helping Frank compile
the numerous terrific antique photo's that he has become known for
having collected [many of which he has shared directly with all of us on
the County research sites], and information for his latest book ~ it is
an awesome accomplishment! If you'd like to know more about this book
or where you can get a copy to read the cover picture, content overview
& contact links are on Frank Stephenson's page in the Resource
Publications section of www.b4us.net


Frank Stephenson Commemorates the History of Chowan College
Sarah Ward
College Relations
September 14, 2004


MURFREESBORO, NC - Chowan College alum and staff member, Frank
Stephenson, Jr., has donated 21 enlarged archival photographs of the
Chowan College campus for permanent display in the newly renovated
Chowan Room in Thomas Cafeteria. Stephenson donated the archival
photographs of the campus in memory of his father, E. Frank Stephenson,
Sr.. Frank Stephenson's father brought him to the Chowan College campus
in 1946, during the time when the College was closed from 1943-1949. It
was this first visit, when Frank was six years old that began a lifetime
association with Chowan College. Included in the pictorial gift are
early photographs of the campus, groups of students, athletic teams, and
a view of North Carolina Governor Kerr Scott leading the May 13, 1949
reopening parade on Main Street in Murfreesboro. The archival photos
that can be seen in the Chowan Room came from Chowan College yearbooks
and catalogs, old family albums, and Stephenson's collection of archival
photos on Murfreesboro and the Roanoke-Chowan region.

In addition to the pictorial donation to Chowan College, Frank
Stephenson has also written a book entitled Chowan College - A Pictorial
History as part of The Campus History Series for Arcadia Publishing
Company. During the fall of 2003, Arcadia asked Stephenson to write a
pictorial book on Chowan College. This was an honor for Stephenson,
since he has a long-standing history with the College. Stephenson feels
that Chowan College provides the reader "a good glimpse of Chowan
College's history from its beginning years to its evolution today. It
shows you where Chowan has come from, its transitions, and where Chowan
College is going," said Stephenson. Chowan College also provides those
who attended the school an opportunity to recall their years at Chowan,
and also to remember those who kept the flame alive when Chowan College
was closed.

Chowan College - A Pictorial History is one of fifteen books that Frank
Stephenson, Jr. has written. Stephenson's books take a look at the life
and lifestyles on those in northeastern North Carolina. He is currently
working on a book about herring fishing on the Meherrin and Chowan
Rivers. A description of the books that are written by Frank
Stephenson, Jr. are available through Meherrin River Press, 301 East
Broad Street, Murfreesboro, North Carolina 27855. This information can
also be received by telephone at (252) 398-3554, fax (252) 398-1301, or
email .

Stephenson received his Associate degree from Chowan and then attended
North Carolina State to receive his Masters degree. He returned to
Chowan College in 1966 as Director of Admissions. During the 37 years
that Frank has been employed at Chowan College, he has committed 27 of
those years as Director of Upward Bound.


(Cutline for photograph)
Frank Stephenson donated 21 archival photographs to Chowan College in
memory of his father, E. Frank Stephenson, Sr. These photographs will
be permanently displayed in the Chowan Room in Thomas Cafeteria.

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[FYI & because there are many old family names from that area mentioned
in this article so thought that you might enjoy seeing this information]
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White Inaugurated as 22nd President of Chowan College
Sarah Ward
College Relations
September 14, 2004

MURFREESBORO - Martin Christopher White was inaugurated as the 22nd
President of Chowan College on September 9, 2004 at 11:00am in Turner
Auditorium, McDowell Columns Building. The inauguration ceremony
included personalities representing all aspects of the college
constituency. The Call to Purpose was delivered by William Andrews,
Vice President, Student Government Association and Kerr Leadership
Scholar, The Invocation was delivered by David Horton, President,
Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and The Litany of Commitment
was led by John Roberson, Executive Director, Council on Christian
Higher Education. The Greetings for the Occasion were brought from
constituencies that include Hope Williams, President, North Carolina
Independent Colleges and Universities, Elaine Marshall, North Carolina
Secretary of State, Elaine E. Myers '60, The Roanoke-Chowan Region, Ben
S. McLean, Mayor, City of Murfreesboro, Rebecca Dawn Lapham, President,
Student Government Association, J Brabban, Faculty and Staff of Chowan
College and Robert A. Newsome, Jr. '64, Vice Chair, Board of Trustees of
the College.

Additional personalities on the program included C. Preston McElheney,
III, '96, Chair Chowan College Board of Visitors, reading scripture from
the Old Testament and Burke Holland, Chair, Chowan College Ministerial
Board of Associates, reading scripture from the New Testament. The
Presidential Investiture was led by Bynum Brown, Chair Chowan College
Board of Trustees, Ronald W. McSwain, Chowan College Trustee, and Robert
A. Newsome, Jr., Vice Chair, Board of Trustees. The Inaugural Address,
"Lux et Veritas", "Light and Truth," was delivered by President Martin
Christopher White. Tony Cartledge, Editor/President, Biblical Recorder,
delivered The Closing Prayer.

White accepted a permanent contract as president in May 2004 and has
been at the helm of the college since July 1, 2003. As an experienced
college president, White states, "The best days for Chowan lie in the
future. I ask that you join me as we write the future of our great
college that has stood strong for more than 156 years."

During President White's Inaugural Address, he recognized Chowan
College's founders and sustainers that have had a positive impact on the
College for over 150 years. He began by recognizing Godwin Cotton Moore
and the first president of Chowan College, Archibald McDowell.
According to President White, these men "were determined to have 'a
school of high order' which equaled or exceeded any girl's school in
North Carolina," said White. Even though there was a "widespread
perception that there was no need for women to have access to higher
education," the founding fathers of Chowan College "represented
open-minded, forward thinking," said White.

President White continued by stating that even though Chowan College may
have closed its doors from 1943 to 1949, the spirit of the College
continued. This spirit was seen through persons who insisted that
Chowan College reopen. These "Chowan Saviors" included Charles Revelle,
Sr., George Gibbs,


Chowan Inauguration Story Page 2

Elwood W. Parker, Edwin Pierce Brown, Reverend Lonnie Sasser, Reverend
Oscar Creech, Dr. L.M. Futrell Bob F. Hill, Dr. Raleigh Parker, F. Roy
Johnson, and the Murfreesboro Exchange Club that was led by E. Pat
Banks, Sr. Many of these "Chowan Saviors'" descendants still live in
this area and have continued their family's relationship with Chowan
College. When Chowan College reopened its doors in 1949, North Carolina
Governor W. Kerr Scott joined the 5,000 persons who partook in the
celebration of the reopening of the school. Governor Scott stated, "We
celebrate here today a shining example of the North Carolina spirit of
daring to do.It did not close its doors during the Civil War, nor in the
trying days of the period of Reconstruction that followed. Chowan
carried on even while the doors of the University of Chapel Hill were
closed for five years.Chowan is reopening its doors despite those who do
not think it worthwhile to fight for a fuller life and a better world."


The spirit of Chowan College remains vibrant today. The vision of the
school, to have a "school of high order," is remarkably unchanged.
According to President White, "Chowan College is still a place to give
inquiring minds a place to be enlightened." This enlightenment is a
result of both valued academic traditions as well as valued religious
traditions. Chowan College "guides learners beyond the mere acquisition
of knowledge to that wisdom that gives meaning and purpose to life,"
said White. The combination of academic and religious traditions, and
the inauguration of a new President, is a wonderful reason to celebrate
the past, present, and future of Chowan College.

Serving on the Inauguration Steering Committee were Board Members
Frances Bunch, Mary Anne Croom, Cheryl McElheney, Ronald McSwain, Chair,
Elaine Myers, and Hugh Vincent; Chowan Faculty J Brabban and Andrea
Eason; and Chowan Staff John M. Tayloe and Sally Tribbett.

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Wishing each of you a great day ~ Marianne


www.b4us.net

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• Historic Chowan College News by "Marianne Ordway" <>