Those who made a difference...
The Rev. J.
Felix Arnold
served 22 years
on the Board
of Trustees and
was a member
of the
Executive
Committee
for 14.
When Chowan College re-opened in September 1949 after being
closed for several years during World War II, Dr. B. D. Bunn, president,
said that a “new day dawned” and called attention to the many tasks
which confronted the faculty, staff and friends of the college in the years
ahead.
But after a period of operation, a delegation from the Council on
Christian Education of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
visited Chowan and declared that they “were delighted
with what they observed.” Their report to the Council
said “everything bore testimony to the spirit of deter
mination among the people of the Chowan area to sup
port and operate a college program.”
Dr. Jerry F. Jackson, president, said “it was only
through the commitment of men and women, limited
only by their faith, loyalty and cooperation, who brought
Chowan College from the ‘dawn of that new day’ to be
one of the great colleges it is today.”
These were men and women with vision and a mis
sion.
One who, indeed, had a vision of greatness for
Chowan College was the Rev. John Felix Arnold ... a
man who made a difference.
A native of Shannon, Mississippi, Felix Arnold re
ceived his bachelor’s degree from Mississippi College.
He was awarded the master of divinity degree by Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary in Louisville and became associate pastor at First
Baptist Church of Winston-Salem.
Arnold then accepted a call to become pastor of Boykins (VA) Bap
tist Church and it was then he first heard of Chowan College—a small,
liberal arts college fifteen miles away.
It was also at Boykins Baptist Church where Arnold met his future
bride, the former Frances Marks, daughter of the late Texie Camp Marks,
a staunch Chowan supporter and a major benefactor.
He served the Boykins church for several years and then entered the
Navy for duty as a chaplain during World War II. After completing his
tour of military service, Arnold accepted a call to Enfield Baptist Church,
but he did not forget Chowan.
He was first elected to the Board of Trustees in the late 1950s and
once described his first term on the governing board as “struggling years.”
“The school had just re-opened after World War II,” he once said,
“but we had excellent leadership and a very strong commitment by each
member of the board.”
Arnold was subsequently elected chairman of the board and in 1961
successfully guided a financial campaign to raise $900,000 for a library
and a classroom building.
Rev. J. Felix Arnold
Totally committed to supporting the college, Arnold gave generously
to the financial effort, even to the point of what others considered sacri
ficial giving. His generosity inspired others to give as well.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. (Texie Camp) Marks, the parents of Arnold’s
wife, contributed $50,000 to the campaign which was then the largest
single gift in the history of the college. The classroom building was
named in their honor and memory when it was dedicated in the spring of
1964.
The Rev. Mr. Arnold also gave generously of his
time and talent in outstanding service to his commu
nity and his church.
He was a past president of the Enfield Lions Club;
a moderator of the North Roanoke Baptist Associa
tion; served eight years on the General Board of the
Baptist State Convention and 12 years on the Council
on Christian Higher Education.
He was named Pastor Emeritus of Enfield Baptist
Church in recognition of being pastor for 28 years.
In later years, the J. Felix Arnold Scholarship Fund
was established at Chowan College through his gen
erosity and that of members of his family. He was the
father of five children: Mrs. Felice A. Parent, Mrs.
LouAnn A. Clarke, Robert Marks, John F. (Jack), and
Claude Camp.
But J. Felix Arnold was not a man satisfied with reaching one goal —
or serving one term in leadership positions.
He went on to serve a total of 22 years on the Board of Trustees and
chairman for 11 years, a member of the Executive Committee for 14
years and a member of the college’s advisory group for more than a
decade.
At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees in the late 1980s, Arnold
was presented a plaque in testimony of his outstanding service and the
board also presented resolutions of appreciation.
In part, the resolutions said “his studied consideration of issues be
fore us, his wise counsel, and his gift for enlisting others in the support
of this institution and her mission in higher education have been charac
teristic of the attention he has given to the role of trustee and advisor.
“It seems particularly fitting that such service and devotion to the
cause of Christian higher education be recognized and honored.”
The Rev. J. Felix Arnold died on September 30,1994, but he will be
remembered for countless years to come in the life of Chowan College
— an institution he loved.
John Felix Arnold gave a lifetime of commitment.
He truly made a difference.
Chowan Today
USPS 715-880 ISSN 1051-9580
Herman W. Gatewood
Editor and Director of College Relations
E. Vincent Tilson
Vice President for Development
Kevin L. Clary
Director of Alumni Services
Jack Goldberg
Sports Ir^ormation Director
Published by Chowan College, a four-year senior
college founded in 184S and controlled by the Baptist
State Convention of North Carolina. The college,
located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, returned to
four-year status after an unanimous vote by the college’s
Board of Trustees on September 8, 1990.
Comments, suggestions and informational submis
sions from alumni, friends and parents are welcome.
Please send them to Director of College Relations, PO
Box 1848, Murfreesboro, N. C., 27855.
Published four limes a year in March, June, September
and December. Postmaster: Send 3575 to Chowan
Today, Chowan College, PO Box 1848, Murfreesboro,
N. C, 27855.
SECOND CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT
MURFREESBORO,
NORTH CAROLINA (27855)
AND ADDITIONAL MAILING
OFFICES
PRESIDENT OF CHOWAN COLLEGE
The Board of Trustees of Chowan College and its Presidential Search Committee
invite nominations and applications for the position of President.
Chowan College was founded in 1848 and is affiliated with the Baptist State Con
vention of North Carolina. Chowan is a four-year liberal arts institution, located in
northeastern North Carolina, approximately 60 miles southwest of Norfolk, Virginia.
It offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.
It has an enrollment of about 800 students, with about 60 full-time faculty members.
The Search Committee seeks applications from individuals possessing the fol
lowing characteristics: a commitment to undergraduate Christian higher education;
an earned doctorate; administrative and teaching experience in an institution of higher
education; skills in fund raising; the ability to work collaboratively with the various
constituencies of the college; knowledge in the areas of finance and budgeting; abil
ity to provide leadership in charting plans for the future; ability to articulate the mis
sion of the college, both internally and externally; ability to build teamwork among
the groups encompassing the college community.
Nominations and letters of applications, accompanied by a resume, should be
sent to;
Mr. Clement Yancey
Chair, Presidential Search Committee
ATTN: Mrs. Bettie Ricks
Chowan College
P O. Box 1848
Murfreesboro. NC 27855
The deadline for receipt of nominations and applications is August 1, 1995.
Chowan College is an equal opportunity employer.
PAGE 2 — CHOWAN TODAY, June 1995