Volume 10 Number 2
September 25, 1978
Trustees
Adopt
New Goal
After hearing a report of increased
enrollment and a sound financial pic
ture, Chowan College trustees and ad
visors continued their semi-annual
meeting on a positive note by facing
several challenges Monday, Sept. 11 in
the office of President Bruce E.
Whitaker.
Clayton Lewis, Dean of students, told
the b^tees Chowan’s fall semester
enrollment of 1,052 represents an an in
crease of approximately 75 over last
year.
Dr. Whitaker reported the college
concluded the 1977-78 year by operating
in the black for the 20th straight year.
Following a groundbreaking service
for the new gymnasium-physical
education center center Sunday, the
trustees and advisors faced several
challenges related to the “Ac
complishing Our Mission” campaign.
E. L. Hollowell of Edenton, the cam
paign’s general chairman, reported
that more than |1,338,000 has been
received in pledges and gifts for the
new facility.
Trustees adopted a goal of im
mediately reaching the $1.5 million
mark in pledges and gifts in order to
qualify for construction loans. They
also recommended reaching the
presented by Edwin Williams of
Kinston on behalf of the development
and finance committee of the Board of
Trustees.
In addition to Hollowell, other na
tional campaign leaders include Mrs.
Texie Camp Marks of Boykins, Va,
honorary cteirman; Mrs. Mary Alice
Matthews of Hamilton and State Sen. J.
J. Harrington of Lewiston, co-chairman
of the leadership gift phase.
In In other financial matters, advisor
Henry S. Johnson, Jr. of Hamilton
reported on the 1978-79 Annual Giving
Fund. The drive’s chairman said the
minimum goal is $65,000 and the
challenge goal is $75,000. A distinguish
ed service award was presented to Mrs.
Dorothy H. Brown of Murfreesboro,
chairman of Chowan’s successful
1977-78 annual giving drive that raised
over $52,600.
The Board of trustees also approved a
record budget of $4,650,000 for the
1978-79 academic year. The budget for
1977-78 was $3.5 million. Much of the in
crease is due to a change in bookkeep
ing procedures.
Some $800,000 for student aid, which
was previously reported in a separate
account, in now included in the
operating budget. These funds are
received from various sources in
cluding work-study programs, grants
and scholarships. Normal increases for
budgeted items, to include a greater
enrollment, account for the remaining
increase.
Trustees adopted resolutions to the
memory of former Chowan trustee and
benefactor, Walter L. (Roy) Simons of
Ahoskie. Simons was recognized for his
service to Chowan,” and his
"charitable deeds.”
William Norris of Greensboro presid
ed for the advisors as acting chairman.
A boat tour on the Chowan and Meher-
rin Rivers was provided spouses of
members of the two boards.
Trustee Chairman H. D. White of
Rocky Mount, told the trustees and ad
visors before they adjourned that the
meeting had been “very positive and
magnified the continuing achievements
of Chowan College in service to young
men and women and the entire area
and region.
Groundbreaking Ceremonies
Held at Site of New Gymnasium
Challenge
Sponsor
Disclosed
Seven untended shovels stand guard as H.D. White, chairman of the
Board of Trustees, addresses the crowd at the Groundbreak
ing/Thanksgiving ceremonies September 10 at the site of the new gym
nasium/physical center near Parker Hall. Soon after, the shovels were
put to good use by members of the Chowan College family as ground was
broken by four separate flights of diggers.
Golfers
To Play
This Fall
By WILLIAM HOBSON
The Chowan golf team will par
ticipate in a fall tourament at Campbell
CoUege on October 8,9 and 10. This will
be the first fall competition for the
Braves in several years. Coach Bill
Sowell said.
The Braves will be led by Bobby
Sears, of Murfreesboro, who won the
Colonial Invitation in Edenton, the
North American Hepatic Foundation
Tournament in Goldsboro and the finals
in Ahoskie. Sears also competed in the
East Coast Junior College Invitational
at New Bern and finished 13th in the
North Carolina Amateur Tournament
in Pinehurst.
Two newcomers to the team are
freshmen Eddie Wheeler and Butch
Griffin, of Roanoke Rapids, who alter
nated as number 1 and 2 players on the
high school team there in 1975-77.
Also competing in the Campbell play
will be sophomores Greg Ailsworth, of
Keysville, Va., Tim Martin, of
Chesapeake, Va., and Andrew Ruggles,
of Hildebran.
Freshmen prospects, according to
Coach Sowell, are Eddie Blockstock,
Pax River, Md.; Dave Owens,
Mahanoy City, Pa.; Wayne Meade,
Norfolk, Va.; James Thomas, Rocky
Mount; Ken Benjamin, Fairfax, Va.;
Jay Leach, Cheraw, S.C.; Greg Kaser-
man, Woodbridge, Va., and Kevin Duf
fy, Virginia Beach, Va.
Golf is primarily a spring sport, but
the players will be practicing this fall,
as well as taking part in the tourna
ment, Coach Sowell said.
Six New Professors Join Faculty;
Two Called Back from Retirement
By DONNA SWICEGOOD
Chowan College opened the 1978-79
academic year with six new professors
In the fields of photography, English,
Drama, business, social science,
Spanish, and French.
Dr. Dennis Frederick Schill is a new
professor in the Departments of
Business and Social lienee. Schill
holds a B.S. in economics and M.B.A. in
business from Tampa University, and
M.A. and Ph. D. in political science
from Tulane University. During his
senior year at the University of Tampa
he received the Wall Street Journal
Award as the outstanding student in
economics and business. For two years
Schill served as asssistant professor of
public administration at Old Dominion
University. His wife is a physician in
Rocky Mount.
Dr. Fleming G. Vinson is serving as
professor of Spanish and French in the
Department of Language and
Literature. He received his A. B.,
Magna Cum Laude, and M.A., both in
Spanish, from the University of
Georgia. He reived his Ph.D. in
Romance Languages from the Univer
sity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Vinson has served for the past five
years as associate professor at The Col
lege of Charleston. Prior to that he
served as an instructor at the Universi
ty of Western Carolina University. He
has also served as an instructor at The
University of North Carolina-Chapel
Hill and the Universtiy of Greprgia.
Dr. William McCrea Ramsey is serv
ing as professor of English. He received
his B.A. from Bates CoUege, and M.A.
and Ph.D. form the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. From 1969-71,
he was an instructor at Sullins College
in freshman English and appreciation
of Black Literature; humanities; and
director of independent studies in
creative writing, naturalism, and Black
autobiography. Ramsey has also serv
ed in two faculty positions at UNC—CH
as a teaching assistant in freshman
composition and an instructor in
American literature, contemporary
literature, and freshman compositon.
Ramsey was also poetry editor for the
Carolina Quarterly.
Mrs. Sandra N. Boyce will teach both
English and drama. She attended the
University of North Carolina at
Greensboro and received her B.A. and
M.A. form the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has taught
at Holmes High School in Edenton, Col
lege of the Albemarle, Applalachian
State University, and the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Douglas L. Gleason is is one of the
two new professors of photography. He
reived his B.A. with honors from the
University of South Florida and M.S.
from the University of Florida. He is
also a graduate and former instructor
of the photography program at Ran
dolph Technical Institute, Asheboro.
Gleason also served with the 19th Air
Force TAC as information specialist
and was responsible for the distribution
of news and photography at Seymour
Johnson Air Force Base. He also served
on the faculty at Lenior Community
College and assumed a role in the col
lege’s public relations effort.
Richard T. McKay, a Marion, VA.
native, comes to Chowan from a postion
as staff photographer and picture
editor for the Shelby Daily Star, and the
Raleigh News and Observer. He receiv
ed his A.A.from Dekalb College, and
batchelor of journalism form the
University of Missouri. His experience
includes service as a photolab techni
cian and photo librarian assistant with
the Home Mission Board of the
Southern Baptist Convemtion in Atlan
ta. For three years he worked on the
staff of the Atlanta Seminar on Photo
journalism.
In additon to the sbt new professors,
Mrs. Daisy Lou Mixon of the Depart
ment of Religion and Philosophy and
Mrs. Undine W. Barnhill of the Depart
ment of Language and Literature were
called out of retirement to fill staff
vacancies.
"Crown Prince's” Visit
Costly Practical Joke
■mUSVILLE, Pa. (CH) - The flam
boyant Crown Prince of Geptwab and
his entourage of bodyguard, chauffer,
interpreter and secretary got the VIP
treatment as they toured this small
Pennsylvania oilountry town earlier
this spring. The Arabian sheik was
Interesting People on Campus
Chowan Is Literally Willie's Dream Come True
By SUSAN L.PATE
Everyone needs a friend, someone we
can talk to who cares and understands
how we feel.
At C3iowan, we all have a friend. She
is Wilhelmenia Wilcox (better know as
“Willie”). She enjoys helping the
students and is always anxious to talk
about anything.
“Willie” is employed as a guidance
counselor here at Chowan. Her office is
located in Stone Hall (beside McDowell
Columns). But she can often be seen
hurrying across campus or just walking
and chatting with a student. She spends
much of her spare time with students,
also.
“Willie,” a native of Charlotte, N.C.,
attended A&T State University. She
transfered from there to Appalachian
State University and from there she
went to UNC-Charlotte, where she did
her graduate study. After obtaining a
masters degree in Guidance and
Counseling, she worked as an Ad
ministrator for the city of Charlotte.
MRS. WILHELMENIA WILCOX
Mrs. Wilcox heard about CHiowan and
its need for a guidance counselor
through a friend. She had wanted a job
where she she could be free to share
herself with others. When Chowan con
tacted her about about the position, she
prayed for guidance. She wanted to be
sure that she was doing the right thing.
She felt sure of herself after she took
the job and everything began to fall in
place.
“Willie” had a dream about coming
here before she even heard of Chowan.
At the time she didn’t know she was
dreaming about Chowan. She realized it
when she saw McDowell Columns,
which she remembered from a picture
on a card she had seen in her dream.
When asked what kept her at
Chowan, “Willie” said that she feels
there is a spiritual attachment to her
being here. She feels there is a purpose
for her being here.
The students of (^owan are a big part
of “Willie’s” life. She feels as though
she is part of the student body. She said,
“I stand often in the students shoes.”
She feels that Chowan has a “sweet
group of students. They are really down
to earth people.”
The students have always respected
“Willie”. She said that in the past, she
has felt uncomfortable with some of her
co-workers, but never with the
students. When she felt like “hanging-
it-up,” it was the students that helped
her overcome that feeling.
“Willie’ said the one thing she would
want the students to know is that she is
there and that she cares. She said, “If 1
can really help them, I want to do all I
can.”
“Willie” loves Chowan and its
students. She is pleased with her life
here and feels that the grace of God has
done it all.
visiting the area, locals were told, to
check on possible business investments
and to explore the possibility of sending
his nephew to the small Titusville
branch campus of the U. of Pittsburgh.
But after a campus visit, the universi
ty president received a letter from the
sheik on his expensive stationary and
bearing his personal wax seal. The
crown prince had been “rudely insulted
by students” and had found the student
housing “deplorable.” “His Excellen
cy” was no longer considering sending
his nephew there.
Then the real story came out. The
“crown prince” and his party were six
University of Pitt-Titusville students;
the entire tour had been an elaborate
hoax carried out with a little make-up
help from some theater arts students
and flowing Arabian costumes rented
from a theatrical supply store. For one
week, from their arrival by plane to
their departure in a black limousine
bearing an official-looking seal and
Arabian flags, the students had suc
ceeded in fooling just about everyone.
By all estimates, the hoax cost the
students at least $1,000. An expensive
gag? “Some people go to Walt Disney
World and spend a thousand dollars,”
said Krysinski. “We just did it in
Titusville, that’s all.”
Yearbook Portraits
The staff of The Chowanoka will
make individual portrait photos for the
1978-79 edition next week. The
photographer will be in the auditorium
of Marks Hall each day, and every stu
dent and faculty member is urged to
have a photos made. No Charge.
By ALLEN DAVIS
A groundbreaking and thanksgiving
service was held at the construction site
on Union St. Extension, for Chowan Col
lege’s new gymnasium-physical educa
tion center Sunday. During the service
Chowan’s President Bruce E. Whitaker
thanked Mrs. Texie Camp Marks,
honorary chairman of Accomplishing
Our Mission, for the $200,000 challenge
grant that she contributed to the con
struction of the new gymnasium-
physical education center.
He also thanked Elwood Parker;
Charles Revelle, Sr.; George Under
wood and members of the family of the
late W. L. Roy Simons. And the alumni,
trustees, advisors, faculty and staff and
other friends of the college.
The groundbreaking was termed
“truly historic” by Dr. Whitaker, who
said, “It signals the beginning of the
last major facility envisioned in the
long range Master Plan of the college.
When finished, it will round out and
complete our basic campus.”
Earlier, announcement of a $25,000
grant to Chowan College by the Z.
Smith Reynolds Foundation of Winston-
Salem to assist in the construction of
the new gymnasium-physical education
center, was made by Dr. Whitaker.
Established in 1936, the Reynolds
Foundation is restricted by charter to
making grants to non-profit institutions
and organizations in the State of North
Carolina. However, the Foundation has
made grants in 91 of the State’s 100
counties through the years.
Whitaker said Chowan appreciates
the support of the Foundation in helping
to provide for the cultural and physical
needs of both the community and entire
region.
The grant also will provide momen
tum for Chowan’s “Accomplishing Our
Mission” campaign. Dr. Whitaker said.
“We must now continue to move for
ward to reach the minimum $2 million
goal.” Many gifts, from many different
sources, will be required to reach our
goal and finance construction of the
new facility, he added.
E. L. Hollowell of Edenton, general
chairman of the “Accomplishing Our
Mission” campaign, joined Whitaker in
expressing his pleasure that the college
had reach its milestone goal.
He said successful area campaigns
had played a vital role in contributing
to the progress of the campaign. The
response of the alumni, trustees and ad
visors, faculty and staff, and other
friends of the college indicates they are
aware of the great need and are willing
to do their share to help build the new
facility.
The new gymnasium-physical educa
tion center will replace the old gym
nasium which is now inadequate for the
present student body. This structure
will be recycled for limited intramural
and recreational use.
The new gymnasium-physical educa
tion center will include such features as
three basketball courts seating for 2,500
to 5,000 people, two class rooms, weight
room, mini-gym (wrestling and gym
nastics), locker rooms (including
lockers for faculty), office space, four
non-regulation courts (handball and
paddle tennis) sauna, steam bath,
training room, laundry room, storage
and an Olympic size swimming pool.
“The many features of the new gym
nasium will round out Chowan’s ability
to train young men and women,”
(Continued on Page 3)
Where’s Charlie?
He’s on Page 2.
Smoke Signals unveils a new
campus columnist in this issue.
He is Charles Hitchock—a man
with a mind of his own. Some of
the thoughts that spring from
that mind may pique your
curiosity, some may amaze you,
some you may not understand at
all. We’re hopeful that all will in
terest you.
“Charlie’s Angles” will be
found on page 2.