Newspapers / Chowan University Student Newspaper / Feb. 1, 1986, edition 1 / Page 4
Part of Chowan University Student Newspaper / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Paintings donated Dr. Randolph Doffermyre of Dunn, right, recently donated two paintings to the college, which are the works of former Chowan students and family members including this one by his great-aunt, the late Catherine Lassiter of Potecasi. Family members present for the presentation included from left: Mrs. L. C. Copeland (Rebecca Lassiter), of Woodland: Mrs. Raymond Sheely (Emily Lassiter) of Elizabeth City: Mrs. Johnny Jenkins (Catherine Hill) of Murfreesboro: Mrs. Jimmy Murphy (Stella Lassiter) of Columbia. S. C.: Cornelius Lassiter of Woodland: Mrs. E. L. Timberlake (Sarah Lassiter) of Woodland: and Mrs. Bob Hill (Josie Lassiter) of Murfreesboro. Works of alumnus, former professor given to college When Bruce Whitaker served as president of Wake Forest College’s Euzelia Literary Society in 1943-44, little did he realize that over 40 years later while serving as presi dent of Chowan he would receive a painting by a former Chowan stu dent named for the Uterary socie ty. Dr. Randolph Doffermyre of Painting by Mother Dr. Doffermyre donated this painting by his late mother. Euzelia Lassiter Doffermyre. which was completed in 1902 while she was a Chowan student. Doffermyre discusses the painting with President Bruce E. Whitaker. Dunn, recently donated the pain ting by his late mother, Euzelia Lassiter Doffermyre, when he, his wife, and other family members visited the campus. The painting, dated 1902, picutres several rural homes blanketed with snow and is done in pastels. The artist, who was raised in Northampton County, later taught art at Chowan. Named After Society Dr. Doffermyre explained that his mother had been named after the literary society by her father who had been a member of the society. Doffermyre noted that he had also been a member when he was a Wake Forest student, Whitaker’s response was that he had served as a member and presi dent of the Euzelia Literary Socie ty- 1858 Painting Donated Doffermyre also donated a pain ting in its original frame by Catherine Lassiter, completed in 1858 just ten years after Chowan’s founding. The painting is of a small German village along the Rhine River. Catherine Lassiter was the sister of Everette B. Lassiter, Doffer- myre’s grandfather, and aunt of Euzelia Lassiter. She died at Chowan in 1858 of typhoid fever. Several family members Without Volunteers, A Lost Civilization "I had a dream the other night that every volunteer in this country, disillusioned with the lack of compassion. had set sail for another country. "As I stood smiling on the pier. I shouted. "Good bye. creamed chicken, old egg cartons. No more getting out the vote Au reuior. playground duly, bake sales and three-hour meetings. "The hospital mas quiet as I passed it. Rooms were void of books, flowers and voices The children’s wing held no clowns.. no laughter. The reception desk tuas vacant. "The Home for the Aged was like a tomb. The blind listened for a voice that never came. The infirm were im prisoned by wheels on a chair that never moved. Food grew cold on trays that would never reach the mouths of the hungry. "All the social agencies had closed their doors, unable to implement their programs of scouting, recreation, drug control. Big Sisters. Big Brothers. YW. YM. the retarded, the crippled, the lonely, and the abandoned. "The health agencies had a sign in the window. "Cures for cancer, muscular dystrophy, birth defects, mutiple sclerosis, emphysema, sickle cell anemia, kidney disorders, heart diseases, etc.. have been cancelled due to lack of interest. "The schools were strangely quiet with no field trips, no volunteer aids on the playground or in the classrooms...as were the colleges where scholarships and financial support were no more. "The flowers on church altars withered and dried. Children in day nurseries lifted their arms but there was no one to hold them in love. Alcoholics cried out in despair, but no one answered and the poor had no recourse for health care or legal aid. "But the saddest part of the journey was the symphony hall which was dark and would remain that way. So were the museums that had been built and stocked by volunteers with the art treasures of our time. "/ fought in my sleep to regain a glimpse of the ship of volunteers Just one more time. It was to be my last glimpse of civilization. . .as we were meant to be. Erma Bombeck Syndicated Columnist America's Voluntary Spirit: Brian O'Connell, ed. speculated that the death of Catherine Lassiter may have given rise to the legend of the "Brown Lady”, a ghost of a Chowan stu dent. “The Brown l^dy is supposed to have died either of a broken heart or typhoid fever, according to the poem,” explained one visitor. "We like to think that Kate is the Brown l^dy.” The painting is believed by family members to be the last she painted. In thanking Dr. Doffermyre, Whitaker said both paintings are in excellent condition and a valued addition to the campus art collec tion. He also said they are an im portant reminder of Chowan’s heritage as a four-year woman’s college. Historical Documents He thanked Dr. Doffermyre, his wife, and family members for be ing present for the presentation and for their interest in Chowan. While the family was present, Chowan also received a 1928 an nual, Chowanoka and Biblical Recorder of historical significance, Whitaker noted. He said they were donated by Mrs. Cornelius l>assiter of Woodland, an alumna. After the presentation of the paintings, Whitaker escorted the family to Daniel Fine Arts Hall to view the Baby Grand piano donated by Mrs. E. B. l^assiter of Rich Square, mother of Cornelius l-assiter of Woodland, and Stella l^assiter Murphy of Columbia, S. C., both of whom were present. Whitaker said the piano is an im portant addition to the music pro gram and will serve the college and its students far into the future. Other family members present included Mrs. L. C. Copeland (Rebecca Lassiter), and Mrs. E. L. Timberlake (Sarah Lassiter) of Woodland; Raymond M. and Emi ly Lassiter Sheely of EUzabeth Ci ty; and Bob and Josie Hill and Johnny and Catherine H. Jenkins of Murfreesboro. PAGE FOUR—The Chowonion, February, 1986
Chowan University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Feb. 1, 1986, edition 1
4
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75