Following Self-Study
Accreditation
is reaffirmed
Mrs. Dorothy Wallace, left, served as Chairman of the Steering Committee, and Dr. B.
Franklin Lowe, Jr., was Director of the Institutional Self-Study.
Sven VanBaars appointed
to position in Development
Chowan College received a “gift”
during the holidays that the faculty and
staff had provided with the “sweat of their
own brow.”
Chowan was notified that its ac
creditation has been reaffirmed by the
Commission on Colleges of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools
(SACS), the accrediting agency for all
college level institutions in 11 southern
states.
President Bruce E. Whitaker said all
accredited colleges must have accreditation
reaffirmed every 10 years following
preparation of an extensive and com
prehensive two-year Institutional Self-
Study, which involves an examination of
every facet of the institution.
Dean of the College B. Franklin Lowe,
Jr., explained that since the accreditation
of Chowan had last been reaffirmed in
December, 1978, the college began
preparations for its new self-study in the
fall of 1985. The self-study was conducted
in 1986 and 1987.
Extensive Examination
Lowe said the Institutional Self-Study
covered the purpose of the college,
organization and administration,
educational program, financial resources,
faculty, library/learning resources, student
development services, physical plant and
special activities. The self-study also
included a summary of recommendations
and suggestions and a section of future
plans.
These areas were studied and researched
AC Artist
exhibits
in gallery
The works of an artist who “accents
Some of the poetry to be found in nature”
were featured in the Chowan Art Gallery in
Green Hall in February.
The artist, John A. Hancock, is
professor of art at Atlantic Christian
College, Wilson, and he has also taught art
at Wilson County Technical College and
North Carolina Wesleyan College, in
Rocky Mount.
He received his B.F.A. in art from
Valdosta State College and M.F.A. in
painting from East Carolina University.
Hancock was artist-in-residence for the
Arts Council of Wilson. He has conducted
watercolor workshops in Whiteville,
Jacksonville, and Goldsboro, and an art
teacher training workshop in Wilson.
David Parker, director of the Division ofj.
Art, commented: “In this exhibit the artist^
has succeeded in exploring natural forms,
such as trees, vines, and foliage. By using,
lyrical line and sensitive color he accents,
some of the poetry to be found in nature.
“Everyone who enjoys such things found
this show a real treat. ”
by committees whose membership in
cluded faculty and staff, students, alumni,
and members of the Board of Trustees. The
self-study was approved unanimously by
the faculty/staff and the Executive
Committee of the Board of Trustees and
presented to a Reaffirmation Committee
from the Commission on Colleges of
SACS which visited Chowan in February,
1988. This committee subsequently made
its report to the Commission, Dr. Lowe
explained.
On June 22, 1988, the Commission on
Colleges voted to reaffirm the accreditation
of Chowan College. The formal an
nouncement of the reaffirmation of ac
creditation was made at the December,
1988, meeting of the College Delegate
Assembly, Commission on Colleges, in
Atlanta, Ga.
Steering Committee Praised
Lowe said Chowan’s self-study steering
committee was chaired by Mrs. Dorothy
Wallace, chairman of the Department of
Business. Other members included Mrs.
Betty Batchelor, professor of English; Dr.
Garth Faile, chairman of the Science
Department; Herman Gatewood, chairman
of the School of Graphic Communications;
and Dr. Hargus Taylor, chaplain, who
served as secretary/editor. Lowe was an
ex-officio member.
Dr. Whitaker thanked Lowe and Mrs.
Wallace for providing “strong and ef
fective leadership.” He said the two-year
self-study and evaluation had required
almost the “constant attention” of Dean
Lowe, who guided the college through the
last successful effort 10 years ago.
Whitaker praised Mrs. Wallace for her
“dedication and loyalty,” and explained
she had given many hours to the project in
addition to carrying a full load as
departmental chairman and professor.
He thanked each member of the faculty
and staff and others who participated in the
self-study for their “valuable services and
the seriousness in which they approached
the self-study.”
Chowan’s president said he was “ex
tremely happy” with the results which he
said “came as no surprise since Chowan
exceeds the minimum standards of the
Southern Association in many different
areas.”
He also said Chowan’s progress since
1978 in providing needed facilities, both
through new construction and renovation
of existing buildings, continuing to
upgrade its faculty and academic program,
increasing services to students, and making
other advances was also responsible for the
successful self-study.
He said the current Mission Excellence
campaign is also helping to strengthen the
college. The campaign, which is nearing
its conclusion, is providing a minimum of
$4 million to iund additional student
aid/scholarships, endowment for teaching
and administration, program developnient,
and the renovation of facilities.
Sven Layne VanBaars, who has ex
perience in institutional advancement at
East Carolina University, is Chowan
College’s new associate director of
development.
The Portsmouth, Va., native and New
Bern resident is a graduate of Craven
Community College and holds the B.A. in
political science and Masters of Public
Administration from East Carolina
University. At ECU, VanBaars served as a
graduate assistant in the Division of In
stitutional Advancement for over two years
and Office of Cooperative Education for
over one year.
VanBaars served as chairperson of the
University Media Board at East Carolina.
He is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha
(political science honor society) and the
American Society for Public Ad
ministration. He was a scholarship
recipient of the CASE III District
Conference attended by college and
university development professionals.
Other Experience
VanBaars has experience in alumni work
including phonathons, working with
student volunteers, and planning and
conducting leadership meetings. He has
also been involved in fund raising,
volunteer management, special event
planning and donor relations. VanBaars is
proficient with personal and main frame
computer programs.
According to Director 6f Development
E. Vincent Tilson, VanBaars’ respon
sibilities as associate director of
development will include: organizing and
promoting the college Alumni Loyalty
Fund and Parents’ Annual Fund;
SVEN VanBAARS
Joins Development Office
organizing and promoting alumni activities
through the Alumni Association; main
taining alumni records, disseminating
alumni news, and working to establish
class chairmen, alunuii chapters and
alumni programs; special events and on or
off- campus alumni activities.
He will also be involved in promoting
the capital supfwrt program of the college
and other support programs of the
Development Department.
President Bruce E. Whitaker joined
Tilson in noting that VanBaars is well
qualified for the position of associate
director of development.
They said his educational background
and work experience in development have
helped to prepare him to make an im
portant contribution to the alumni and
development programs.
THE CHOWANIAN, Febniaiy, 1989 — PAGE 5