CHOWAN
Spring. 1992 Volume 37 Number
A Newsmagazine J
^ODAY
Newsmagazine for Alumni, Parents and Friends
Harden Chapel —
a quiet place for meditation
Harden Chapel was dedicated to
the "Glory of God and In Loving
Memory of Mary Carus Harden" at
Chowan College on February 3.
Area ministers, trustees, visitors,
faculty, staff and students filled the
small chapel to capacity at 11:15 a.m.
for an Inspirational service of prayer
and meditation. Campus Minister
Kelly Brame, opened the ceremonies
with prayer and President Jerry
Jackson welcomed members of Profes
sor Acheson Harden's family who
unveiled the dedicatory plaque in
memory of their wife and mother,
Mary.
"Chowan has waited a long time
for this chap>el," said Dr. Jackson. "A
chapel has long been a dream at the
college, and it Is now a dream made
reality by Acheson Harden and his
family."
Acheson (Ach) Harden, professor of
math at Chowan, returned this semes
ter on a part-time basis following his
official retirement at the end of last
year. He was named professor emeri
tus at the December meeting of the
Chowan Board of Trustees. Harden
completed undergraduate studies at
WUliams College, received the T.M.A.
from N. C. State University after he
retired from the Army, and began his
second career teaching at Chowan 23
years ago. Murfreesboro became his
"adopted" home though he still has a
residence In New Hampshire where he
spends summers. His children, who
were present for the dedication, are .*• *
Acheson A. Harden, 111, who resides in *■
Hamilton, Montana; daughters Sheela
Harden of North Pownal, Vermont:
and Elisabeth Harden of Burlington, Vermont
Dr. Carl Garrett, professor of foreign
languages, delivered the dedicatory address
on ethics and responsibility In society today.
Addressing Harden, he said, "We thank God
for giving you strength, patience, and a long
productive life to serve his goals."
Robert Spivey, of Windsor, chairman of
the Chowan Board of Trustees also thanked
Professor Harden and his family saying, "It Is
Professor Harden and his family, Sheela,
Elisabeth and Acheson. In front of chapel
a pleasure for me to speak on behalf of the
trustees of the college to express our appre
ciation."
'Through your vision you saw a need", he
continued "1 speak for the hundreds of
students and other jjeople who will come Into
Harden Chapel in future years, stand under
this cross In prayer and say thank you for
what you have meant to this college
and what this chapel will mean in
years to come."
Dr. Joyce Elliott, professor of
speech, delivered the dedicatory
prayer. The Chowan College Band,
under the direction of Dr. James E.
Rogers, performed dedicatory music.
Following the dedication, a lun
cheon was held in the president's
dining room honoring the Hardens.
Harden was recognized by Dr. Jack
son and presented a plaque for his
gift and service to Chowan.
"I am touched at the number of
people who have come today," said
the professor who Joked, "I'm not used
to speaking in front of a group that I
can't threaten with bad grades."
He then added, "I know that Mary
would have known many of you and
Is appreciative of all of you who have
come today."
"1 conceived of the chapel as
remaining an informal area that is
warm, peaceful, friendly, comforting
and reassuring," states Professor
Harden who asked that it be dedi
cated Harden Chapel In memory of
his wife Mary Carus Harden who died
in 1985.
"One of my reasons for presenting
a gift to the college for a chapel is that
I thought a church-supported school
should have a chapel as a place for
any of the college family to use for
private meditation and prayer."
Harden Chapel Is located down
stairs In the Thomas Cafeteria build
ing. The chapel was designed by
David Parker, chairman of the division
of art. In collaboration with Professors
of Art Susan Fecho and Stanley Mitchell.
Professor Doug Eubank, professor of art,
made the stained glass across the back of the
chapel. Works by Susan Fecho hang in the
vestibule. Inspirational quotations hang
Inside the chapel, which Is modem in design,
combining functional and traditional features.
The chapel is open throughout the day and Is
ecumenical in orientation.
Chowan approved as candidate for Level II
Chowan College has been approved for
candidacy as a Level II institution for offering
the bacc^aureate degree, according to Dr. B.
Franklin Lowe, vice president for academic
affairs. The college had full accreditation at
Level I as a two-year Junior college.
The announcement of candidacy came late
Friday, Dec. 6 In New Orleans, at the Com
mission on Colleges of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools at which
Dr. Lowe represented Chowan College.
"I commend Dr. Frank Lowe for his out
standing efforts in achieving this first major
step toward full accreditation as a four-year
institution," said President Jackson.
An accreditation review committee will
continue to work toward full accreditation
which Is expected by the spring of 1994.
Chowan will begin offering baccalaureate
curricula In the fall of 1992 beginning with
four-year degree programs Including business
administration, printing production technol
ogy, science, religion, commercial/studio art,
liberal studies, English and teacher education
(K-6, 9-12) music education, art education,
health and physical education, (K-12) and
mathematics.