Graduation
Marshals
Freshman students who
attain high academic
averages during their first
year of study at Chowan are
elected to serve as marshals
for commencement exer
cises. The honor students for
1973 pictured at left are, left
to right, Baldwin Keith
Renner, Beechye Lou Ward,
Bobbie Jean Rothenberg,
Edgar Lee Lowers, and Judy
Bollock.
I
GRADUATION SPEAKER—Dr. Owen Cooper,
President of the Southern Baptist Convention, delivers
the commencement address and tells the 1973 class that
many needs are to be met in the future, and “exciting
times lie ahead.”
Degree Awarded Posthumously
Joseph Franklin Ellis, III, Chowan College
sophomore who was killed In an automobile
accident March 21 during spring vacation,
received his associate degree In graphic arts
posthumously during commencement exercises,
held In May.
Ellis was killed when the car he was driving
was swept off the road during a violent rain and
wind storm and struck a tree, according to a
report from his father, Joseph F. Ellis, Jr., who
Is publisher and general manager of the PRESS
REGISTER, a dally newspaper in Clarksdale,
Miss. The only other occupant In the car, his
fiancee, was not seriously hurt.
Chowan’s academic dean. Dr. B. Franklin
Lowe, Jr., announced the degree was being
granted posthumously since Ellis was enrolled In
his last regular semester at the college and
making satisfactory progress toward graduation
at the time of his death.
A memorial scholarship fund, to be named the
Joseph F. Ellis, III, Memorial, is being
established by newspaper publishers and editors
throughout the southeastern United States,
according to Dr. B. Franklin Lowe, Jr., Dean of
the College.
Mrs. Maggie Boone Bridgers Receives
Distinguished Alumni Award for 1973
%
Mrs. Maggie Boone Bridgers of
Jackson, a 1932 graduate of
Chowan College, has received the
Distinguished Alumni Award.
She received the honor during
graduaUon exercises held Sun
day, May 20, which featured an
address from Dr. V. Carney
Hargroves, president of the
Baptist World Alliance, for
baccalaureate and Dr. Owen
Cooper, president of the Southern
Baptist Convention, for
graduation. Also receiving the
award was Betsy Craig of Rich
mond, who graduated in 1968.
Active Leader
Mrs. Bridgers was honored for
her service to Chowan College,
her churdi and community. She
is a member of Creeksville
Baptist Church where she serves
as Sunday school teacher of a
women’s class. She has also held
positions as director of the
women’s mission organization
and leader of the girl’s and young
women’s mission groups. She has
also served as a leader in the
church training program and in
other leadership capacities.
Mrs. Bridgers has served
young peofde and her community
as a teacher of mathematics at
Jackson, Gates County, Seaboard
and Northampton County High
Schools. At Jackson, she was
active as PTA president and
headed the successful drive to
build a new gymnasium. At
Northampton, where she is
presently teaching, she has
served as sponsor of the
dieerleaders and scorekeeper for
the basketball games.
She is also a past member of
the North Carolina Democratic
Executive Committee.
Her service to her alma mater
has included F*resident of Alumni
and member of the Board of
Trustees. She is presently a
member of the Board of Direc
tors of the Alumni Association.
While a student from 1928-1932,
Mrs. Bridgers was active in all
phases of campus life. She served
as a member of the student
government for four years and
was president her senior year.
She was a member of the literary
society, was active in religious
affairs, played tennis and
basketball and worked on the
staffs of the student newspaper
and yearbook. She won the fresh
man medal for highest scholastic
achievement and graduated
summa cum laude with an A. B.
in mathematics and history.
The winner of the
Distinguished Alumni Award is
married to J. Grady Bridgers,
who has farming and business
interests. They live in a home
that is 200 years old. TTiey have
one son, Lanny Boone Bridgers,
who is a lawyer in Atlanta, and
one granddaughter.
"Faithfully and Well"
In presenting the award to Mrs.
Bridgers, Chowan’s president,
Dr. Bruce E. Whitaker, com
plimented her for her serving
Chowan “faithfully and well.” He
said she had been “steadfast in
her support of Chowan” and had
"influenced a number of students
to attend Chowan.” He also said
she had endeared herself to
young (>eople and her community
through her service as a teacher
of mathematics.
In closing his tribute to Mrs.
Bridgers, Dr. Whitaker com
mented: “In many ways she is
deserving of recognition for
service and loyalty to Chowan,
her church, schools and com
munity.”
PROUD MOMENT—Linda Hassell beams with hap
piness as she receives her Associate of Arts degree from
President Bruce E. Whitaker. Miss Hassell is the
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hassell of Murfreesboro,
and graduated with honors from Chowan. She will enter
Meredith College in the fall.
PAGE TWO
The Chowanian