On the Camtjus
Royalty
visits
Choivan^s
campus
Following her performance of Elizabeth R,
/W/ss Barbara Hird attended the reception in
the Queen’s regalia. Her one-woman, 45-
minute performance, written and drirected by
Labame Houston, was well-received by the
large group attending in McDowell Columns
auditorium. Above, l\^iss Hird greets the
group at the reception and (below) chats with
Dr James Chamblee, chairman of the
Department of Fine Arts and a member of
the Fine Arts Foundation which sponsored
production.
/
I
Emma Gay Stephenson
enjoying fellowship at a
Homecoming luncheon
Emma Gay Stephenson left
a legacy of commitment
Emma Gay Stephenson, an alumna, former member of both the
Board of Trustees and Board of Visitors, benefactor, advisor and a
genuine good friend, died in June after a quiet, but yet courageous,
battle with cancer. With her death she left a legacy of commitment
and caring: a commitment to education and Chowan College and
caring for her fellowman.
A role model for others, Emma Gay gave more than half of
century of service to helping others and to what she called “of
special interest - Chowan College.”
TTie spring of 1931 was the beginning of Emma Gay
Stephenson’s 63 years of strong commitment, outstanding steward
ship, and unceasing support for Chowan College. She graduated
magna cum laude from the institu
tion she both loved and cherished.
During those years as a student,
she demonstrated uncommon
campus citizenship and earned
distinction as an outstanding
student. She received the Kiwanis
Medal for highest scholastic
average as a freshman and the
Daniels Medal for achievement in
piano. But perhaps Emma Gay was
most proud of her Jenkins Medal in
recognition of achieving the highest
four-year scholastic average.
The editor of the 1931
CHOWANIAN wrote that Emma
Gay, “with her calm and persuasive
manner, has won the love and
admiration of the students.”
She also won the love and admiration in the 63 years which
followed of all who knew her in many walks of life and, indeed, all
of those privileged to live and work at Chowan College.
Prior to her retirement in 1974, Miss Stephenson served for 16
years as administrative manager for the School of Business
Administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
She also held several business positions in North Carolina and
Virginia and taught high school English in nearby Severn and
Williamston.
Emma Gay was also a “pillar of strength” in the communities
where she lived. An active clubwoman, she served in every post of
the Durham Woman’s Club and was awarded honorary lifetime
memberships in both the Durham club and the North Carolina
Federation of Women’s Clubs.
She was active in the Ahoskie Woman’s Club, as well as the
Northampton County and Murfreesboro historical associations.
She was president of the Kirby Music and Literary Club and a
charter member and officer of the Henry Lee Society.
A person with strong religious commitment and a devotion to
her church, she was a Sunday school teacher, pianist and active in
the Woman’s Missionary Union of Durham’s First Baptist Church
and her beloved Robert’s Chapel Baptist Church in Pendleton.
During the commencement exercises of 1985, Emma Gay was
again honored by her alma mater and presented the Distinguished
Alumni Award. In making the presention, Chowan’s president said
she was so honored for “her good deeds in behalf of the college
she loved” and “in behalf of Christian higher education.”
She served three terms as a Chowan trustee and several terms
on the Board of Visitors. Emma Gay was also a member of the
Feasibility Study Committee when Chowan was considering the
return to senior college status and she became both an encourager
and a supporter throughout those years of change. She was
unceasingly excited about what the future could, and would,
provide young people who chose to be served by her beloved
Chowan College.
Emma Gay’s life ended in June 1994 but she will live on
through the countless contributions she made to help others at her
college, in her community, church and profession.
Her memory will continue to inspire those who serve this
institution in whatever capacity. But, more importantly, the
students who seek directions in life from Chowan College will be
the greater beneficiaries of the life and legacy of Emma Gay
Stephenson.
Indeed, Emma Gay Stephenson was a good friend.
She will be sorely missed.
She was
a “pillar
of strength”
in the
communities
where she
lived.
Her memory
will
continue to
inspire
those who
serve this
institution
CHOWAN TODAY. December 1994 — PAGE 7