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Qx)wan College Accelaales Toward
EKcellore as a Four-Year School
A positive, progressive trend is evident on
campus, providing momentum for Chowan
College’s return to senior college status.
College officials say progress
encompasses all areas of the college.
President Jerry Jackson noted,
“Academics has been strengthened
with the addition of 13 new four-
year programs.”
He said these include business
administration, commercial art,
studio art, art education, teacher
education, English, liberal studies,
mathematics, music education,
printing production technology,
religion, physical education and
science.
Education
ill
Lowe
doesn’t belong to any one department. Eason
expects the lab to become the “brain center of
campus” and to significantly increase stu
dents’ opportunity to have
access to the latest computer
equipment.
Students in English classes
are using the lab to write their
term papers. Eason said
business administration majors
and English composition
students arc learning to use
computers. Art students are
using the Computer Lab , as
well. Eason said that one goal
is to link the Texie Camp
Marks Computer Lab to the
library. Students will then be
able to access library resources
without leaving the computer center.
Jackson
Education is the newest department at
Chowan. Dr. Charles Bentley, chairman, said
Chowan now offers teacher certification
programs in seven areas. These include
elementary education, K-6; art, music and
physical education, K-12; and math, English
and science, 9-12.
Vice President for Academic Affairs B.
Franklin Lowe, Jr. said two additional bach
elor programs will be added in the fall of
1993, sports management and applied science/
health science.
‘This year marks a milestone as the school
returns to four-year status,” said Dr. Jackson,
noting Chowan
added a junior
class this fall and
the first senior
class in 55 years
will be added
next fall. In the
spring of 1994,
Chowan will
graduate its first
four-year class
since 1937
Dr. Lowe
said the coUege
has some 65
juniors and their enthusiasm is creating
excitement across campus during Chowan’s
transition to four-year status.
He said the juniors are “eagerly looking
forward to being part of the first graduating
class in years."
Computer Lab
Under-girding the academic program is an
increase in computer services to students. The
new Texie Camp Maries Computer Lab
features 50 new computers according to
Department of Business Professor
Andrea Eason.
Four foundations. Camp-Younts,
Ruth Camp CampbeU Charitable
Trust, Camp, and Hetcher, contrib
uted $140,000 to establish the Com
puter Lab. It is named for Texie
Camp Marks, a long-time supporter
and member of the Board of Visitors
from Boykins, VA.
“We are very excited to offer the
students the new Computer Lab,”
stated Eason, who is responsible for
academic computer services. She said
it is a campus-wide resource and
Retention
Staff member Austine Evans said one of
the most important indicators of the future
health of Chowan is the increase of retention of
students. Evans is director of retention, the
freshman year exp>erience, and academic
advisement.
She explained retention as the persistence
of students to remain at Chowan during a
semester, from one semester to the next, from
one year to the next, and ultimately all four
years. “Close to three-fourths of tlie 1991 fall
freshmen persisted to the second year,” said
Evans. “The percentage of students who have
withdrawn this year is down from last
year and previous years. The more
capable students are returning at a higher
rate. This is a very good sign for the
future.”
Keeping smdents is a by-product of
improving campus conditions and
meeting needs of students. “Retention is
the concern of the entire campus,” said
Evans. “All departments are represented
on a 25-member Retention Management
team that meets monthly. A five-
member steering committee meets
weekly.” ^
She said when polled, students give
favorable marks to factors like campus safety,
improved residence hall life, opportunity to
express opinions on rules and policies af^fecting
them, and availability of organizations and
activities.
“Students in general are pleased with the
care and attention they receive from their
professors,” Evans said.
College 101, a course for first-time fresh
men, contributes to students staying at
Chowan. The course helps them adjust to
college, have a better understanding of the
learning process and acquire
academic “survival skills.”
Increased tutoring
opportunities by Academic
Support Services (headed by
Mrs. Janet Rogers), also
helps. “Chowan is moving in
^ the right direction. Based on
'T.. studies of retention,
enroUment should increase
over the next several years,”
Evans said. The college has
had an increase in applica
tions for the following spring
and fall semesters.
Evans
“The
percentage of
students who
have withdrawn
this year is down
from last year
and previous
years. The more
capable students
are returning at a
higher rate. This
is a very good
sign for the
future.”—Evans
Eason
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