IB
On the Ccunpi^ ^
Daniel family nears
campaign goal
The Daniel Family is nearing their goal to
obtain funds for the renovation of Daniel Hall,
which is named for the late Professor Jeannette
Snead Daniel.
Contributions by members of the Daniel
family total $49,804.98 toward the goal of
$60,000. The funds will be used to provide a
new roof for Daniel Hall as well as many other
needed maintenance and improvements.
Spearheading the family drive is Mrs. Emily
Fisher, and her sister, Mrs. Narcissa Timan, both
of Brooklyn, New York.
“We are delighted to have the help of Emily
and Narcissa as we are indebted to the Daniel
family,” said E. Vincent Tilson, vice president
for development, “for their commitment to
renovate the structure which bears their family’s
name.”
Daniel Hall, housing the Department of Fine
Arts and the Division of Music, was constructed
in 1966-67 and dedicated in February, 1968.
The constfuction of the facility was made
possible largely by the late Dr. Donald Snead
Daniel of Richmond, on behalf of himself and
other children of Professor Daniel.
Jeannette Snead Daniel and her husband
were the parents of eight children. One of the
children, Narcissa Bruce Daniel, was married to
V. Carney Hargroves of Germantown, Pa, The
couple had three children: Emily, Narcissa and
Jeannette.
Another one of the children, Louis Daniel of
New Bern, served on the Chowan Board of
Trustees for a number of years.
The Daniel family was challenged by Emily
Fisher at a family reunion several years ago.
The couple invited their relatives to join in a
campaign to provide funds for the renovation of
the building and pledged $25,000 to match any
gift, over a three-year period, from the other
Daniel family members.
/Z note, from the President...
When the 146th session of Chowan
College concluded with graduation
exercises, it marked the close of one of
the busiest, most successful, and, indeed, one of
the most historic years in the life and progress
of this great institution. The year included
increases in enrollment; many events and
activities; as well as improvements to the
physical plant.
When students arrived in the fall of 1993 the
largest increase in freshman enrollment in the
history of Chowan was recorded. Moreover, an
increase in retention was noted, and the aca
demic preparation and qualification of the new
students improved over previous years.
The success in student recruitment and
enrollment is largely due to an aggressive
admissions program by the Office of Student
Enrollment which incorporated improved
recruiting methods. In administering this
different approach, the staff demonstrated a
strong commitment and outstanding dedication
to the task of student recruiunent.
A number of improvements were made to the
physical plant during the year. The entrance to
the college was professionally landscaped after
the curving entrance walls on each side of the
street were painted white and the new college
logo, in a metallic gold finish, was attached.
The Davis Display of Colors was installed in
front of McDowell Columns to display the
United States, North Carolina, and Christian
flags. This complex, provided by the Davis
family of Conway, was erected in memory of
Grady P. Davis, a former trustee, and in honor
of his widow, Mrs. Marguerite Davis.
The A. J. Watkins Educational Materials
Center, in Whitaker Library, was dedicated
during the spring semester. This well-equipped
center, required by the N. C. Department of
Public Instruction for our program in teacher
education, was made possible by the generous
endowment gift of Mrs. J. A. Watkins of
Henderson.
Mr. and Mrs. James Ward of Thomasville,
provided the major gift to renovate and furnish
Ward Parlor in McDowell Columns. This
beautifully designed room was dedicated in
May and named in honor of the Wards’ two
children, Kirk and Julie.
The college was able to purchase the old
Episcopal church facility, which is situated
between the baseball field and golf driving
range, and used for a number of years as a day
care center. These two small buildings will be
renovated to provide a facility for student
activity and additional office space for the
athletic staff.
Improvements were made to several of the
athletic fields and the track area was cleared and
prepared for collegiate soccer games. Construc
tion was also begun on another soccer field for
intercollegiate competition and intramurals.
The athletic teams participated in senior
college competition for the first time during
1993-94 and gained valuable experience and
exposure. While most of the teams did not have
winning seasons, the women’s softball team and
men’s baseball squad posted outstanding records
in their first season of NCAA Division III
competition.
In the area of development, gifts, pledges and
bequests to the college increased. For the fourth
consecutive year, gifts to the annual “Day for
Chowan” far exceeded the established goal.
Funds contributed to the Annual Giving Fund
also were at a record level.
One of the highlights of the year, the Annual
Awards and Appreciation Banquet, was held in
May when the major benefactors of the college
were honored and presented engraved gifts.
More than 100 friends of the college attended
this festive occasion.
The campus was saddened on two occasions
during the year within a span of only several
weeks. Mrs. Texie Camp Marks, truly one of the
best friends Chowan has ever had, was claimed
by death at the age of 94 years. We also lost Mr.
Stanley Mitchell, a talented artist and a very
effective and efficient teacher, after a brief
illness.
But certainly May 14, 1994, will be known
as the day Chowan took a “giant leap forward”
as the transition to return to senior college status
was completed. For the first time in 57 years,
baccalaureate degrees were awarded and 48
students received the bachelor of science and 6
other seniors were awarded the bachelor of arts.
Seventy more students were awarded the
associate’s degree upon the completion of the
two-year programs, and many of these graduates
plan to return to Chowan to pursue a four year
degree.
Guests for the ’94 exercises were all alumni
of the classes from 1912 to 1943 with members
of the Class of 1937—the last to receive four
year degrees—as special guests. Further, we
were delighted and honored to have Mrs. O. C.
Turner of Gatesville, a member of the Class of
1912 and who will be 103 years old this
summer, in the audience.
Two new traditions were inaugurated at the
commencement exercises. Along with their
degree, each graduate was presented a Bible as a
gift from the college. Also, the Class of 1994
inaugurated the “Alumni Walk,” leading to the
Susan P. Kerr Alumni Gazebo, and paved it with
bricks engraved with their names. Members of
graduating classes in the future will add their
names to this historic addition to the campus.
We are very proud of every student at
Chowan College and each graduate. There is,
however, one member of the Class of 1994 who
will always be very special to us—Mrs. Jane
Taylor Stephenson, of Boykins, VA.
Mrs. Stephenson started her college career
more than a half a century ago and, for a
number of reasons, was unable to continue her
education. When it was necessary that she
interrupt her college attendance she made a
commitment to herself that one day she would
get that college degree.
When Chowan returned to four year status
Mrs. Stephenson resumed her college education.
On Saturday, May 14, she was awarded the
bachelor’s degree, with academic honors, and
she reached her goal and fulfilled the commit
ment she made 50 years ago.
We salute Mrs. Stephenson for she has
demonstrated the commitment and determina
tion of people who have made Chowan College
what it is today and which will serve as an
example for the many, many students who will
follow her footsteps in the classrooms of
tomorrow.
—Jerry F. Jackson
President
Daniel Hall,
named in memory
of Professor
Jeannette Snead
Daniel, is slated
for renovation
and improvements.
“Chowan took a
‘giant leap
forward’
on May 14,
when the
transition
to return to
senior college
status was
completed.”
CHOWAN TODAY, June 1994 — PAGE 3