CHOWAN
Fall, 1991 Volume 36 Number
A Newsmagazi
fTODAY
A Newsmagazine for Alumni, Parents and Friends
Message from the Chairman
Chowan College is well on its way in the
transition to a four-year institution. I take great
pride in our accomplishments thus far in this
difficult and tedious task of developing baccalaureate
curriculum and making policy and personnel changes
that are necessary for oiff institution to return to four-
year status.
I especially take great pride in the commitment of the
dedicated Chowan Board of Trustees and the support of
the Board of Visitors in this time of transition and
change. I join with other trustees in being pleased with
the progress we have made, and share their diligence in
seeing that we accomplish future goals.
The Committee on Institutional Transition is doing an
outstanding job of studying and recommending aca
demic policies, personnel policies, institutional goals
and curricula. They are to be commended for the
amount of work they have done in such a short time.
Already, many policies and procedures are in place and
the faculty/staff and board of trustees have approved a
core curriculum for Chowan —The Four-Year College.
We are on schedule to begin offering the first courses
in the four-year curricula in the fall of 1992, and yet in
this busy time of transition, new departments, facilities
and other necessary changes, we must remember the
reason for change in the first place: the students of
Chowan College. They are our fu-st priority on this
campus and the ones we have in mind during each and
every policy and curriculum consideration. The
Chowan students' needs, future, and well-being come
first with the administration of this college and with the
board of trustees.
1 am excited about the transition, proud of the
Chowan trustees, visitors, students, faculty and staff,
alumni and parents and look forward to the future of
Chowan — The Four-Year College with great anticipa
tion.
ROBERT B. SPIVEY, Chairman
Board of Trustees
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Robert (Bob) Spivey
Message from the President
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There have been many changes in my two years
as president of Chowan College. In fact, more
changes have been made than I ever expected
to implement. Changes have not been made for the sake
of making changes, but have been made to help all of us
to better carry out the mission of the institution and
serve the students who enter our doors.
We have had a successful year in academics. The
return to four-year status is on schedule thanks to the
diligence of Dr. Frank Lowe, vice president for
academic affairs, and the institutional transition
committee.
This past summer, a special two-week program was
offered for students who did not meet the academic
standards for fall admission. Students were admitted to
the college following this program and have entered the
academic support program on campus in which they
will be followed closely.
The freshman year experience program has begun
this fall with over twenty courses of College 101 being
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Dr. Jerry Jackson
offered to our freshmen. I am excited about this
program assisting us with retention of students, an area
we have studied and planned for this past year.
The new chairman of the department of education is
at work developing curricula and a library of instruc
tional materials which will be needed to offer a bacca
laureate degree in education. A new horsemanship
program has been added to the physical education cur
riculum.
In an effort to recruit new juniors for next fall,
Chowan is negotiating transfer agreements with
community colleges. Plans for the coming year in
academic affairs include the possible implementation of
twelve-hour teaching loads beginning with the 1992 fall
semester; a committee on planning to function as rec
ommended by the Southern Association of Accredita
tion; the naming of a person to the Knight Professor
ship; development of a one-semester course on Christi
anity in the department of religion and philosophy; and
the renovation of McSweeney Hall next summer to
house the Texie Camp Marks Computer Center.
In nine major sports last year, we finished with a
cumulative record of 143 wins and 102 losses or a
winning percentage of 59%. A better balance has been
achieved between academics and athletics. My deepest
regret in this area is the lack of attention the administra
tion has given to our women's basketball program.
More attention will be givep to that area this year.
We have had one meeting with officials of the Dixie
Conference as we prepare to enter NCAA Division III
in 1993. The Athletic Committee will be continuing to
make plans for this transition. In the fall of 1992, we
plan to employ coaches in women's soccer, men's
soccer, and women's tennis.
All freshmen entering Chowan for the fall 1991
semester will have taken the SAT. It is my recommen
dation to the admissions committee that for the 1992-93
academic year, we raise the minimum SAT score to 620
for automatic acceptance of students, if all other criteria
are met.
Student development continues to be a priority as we
work to provide a good academic atmosphere for our
students. A parents' handbook and an alcohol/drug
publication for both students and faculty/staff were
developed this year.
New rules and regulations were implemented at mid
semester. Some of these changes created dissatisfaction
among students and some faculty, and for this, 1 take
complete responsibility. Also we employed full-time
and part-time resident directors in our dormitories
which created a healthier atmosphere and one that was
more conducive to study.
In the area of development this past year we saw an
increase of 364 donors which expanded our donor base
in a positive direction necessary as we move to four-
year status. In November, the Hertford County Day for
Chowan raised over $54,000 in one day when 170
volunteers called on friends and neighbors to ask for
support for Chowan.
One of our development goals for the coming year is
to further expand our donor base. Among other gifting
goals, $150,000 must be raised for an instructional
materials library.
Projects over the summer included refurbishing of the
cafeteria and president's dining room, and the creation
of new laboratories and offices for the academic
support program. The bookstore and snack bar were
relocated to provide more centralization of student
activity near and around the Braves Den Student
Center. The Trading Post Book Store, in its new
location, is one of the busiest places on campus.
A new budget reporting process has been developed
with the assistance of our auditors. Faculty and staff
will have more participation in the budget proccss.
Deparmicnt heads will have responsibility for fiscal and
budget matters in their areas.
Future projects for campus development include the
possibility of an indoor tennis facility and a small
chapel which would be erected where the snack bar
used to be located.
It is my belief that "human kindness ought to be in
generous supply among the humane personnel of the
learning community. Such will also prove to reduce
attrition and to be good for the institution."
It is my dream that all of us would put our students
fu-st. Chowan is a good place where students can
achieve and excel. We need to tell them this and that
they "can do” at Chowan. This is the kind of college for
which I strive. We can come close to this goal if each of
our decisions can be made in the context of "what is
best for the students".
Join with me in this exciting time of change and
transition for Chowan — The Four Year College.
7
JERRY F. JACKSON
President
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