Newspapers / Chowan University Student Newspaper / May 1, 1989, edition 1 / Page 13
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
Graduates recall ^Chowan Days ’ in presentations Hudson, Sternberg advise students to take advantage of opportunities Two Chowan alumni returned to the campus during the spring semester to dehver addresses to the student body, as part of the Alumni Assembly Programs sponsored by Student Development Services. Making the addresses were Dr. Michael Sternberg, Class of 1972, and Bennie E. Hudson. Class of 1976. Sternberg is an optometrist in Williamsburg, Va., and was an honor student and president of the Student Government Association while at Chowan. He was also named to “Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges.” After graduating from Chowan with the Associate Degree in Pre-Optometry, he transferred to Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tenn., and earned his degree in Optometry. Dr. Sternberg met his wife while a student at Chowan. She was serving as secretary to the Dean of Students, and the couple now has two children, Matthew, age 5, and Sierra, age 8 months. Dr. Sternberg has been in private practice in Williamsburg for the past 13 years. Hudson enrolled at Chowan after serving four years in the U. S. Air Force and graduated with the associate degree in business administration in 1976. Tranferring to Atlantic Christian College in Wilson after graduation, he received the B.S. degree in Business. Hudson has been employed with banks and credit unions for a number of years, except for a short time he was with Hardee’s Food Systems as Lead Distribution Plant Accountant. Since 1987, Hudson has been vice president of Duke University Federal Credit Union in Durham. Following are the addresses delivered to the student body by Dr. Sternberg and Hudson. Impressions of Chowan outlined by the letters Dr. Michael Sternberg It was very nice to be back on campus and remember fond memories of many years ago. My first impressions of college life when I got to Chowan were: C — The challenge of college H — High expectations from yourself and your family 0 — Optometry — The ultimate goal W — Weekends — WTiat in the world do I do here? A — The Answer N —NOTHING!! Seriously though, nothing might have been the best thing for me. It either meant extra studying, which in my case was needed, or just relaxation of the mind, which again was needed. 1 owe a great part of my success to a lot of the people at Chowan. From the ad missions department, for allowing me to attend, to my faculty advisors, who taught me that ever important elevator velocity stuff in Physics. To Mr. Wooten who pulled me through algebra, which was a job in itself. To Mrs. Whitaker whose religion lessons did give me inspiration and powers to follow through with my dreams. And to Dean Lewis who not only gave me encouragement and an office to conduct my student goverrunent business, but also gave me his secretary. You see, two years later, after meeting in his office, we were married and have been now for 16 years. To all I have mentioned and the ones I didn’t I want to say “thank you” and how very grateful I am to you all. \ Bennie Hudson, Class of 1976, received a monogrammed coffee mug from Dean of Students R. Clayton Lewis, following his presentation to the student body. I was bom and raised in Williamsburg, VA. My father was an optometrist with a very large paractice. I began working in Dad’s office when I was very young and developed a sincere interest in the profession. My only problem was my high school grades. To put it bluntly, they were awful. I really never applied myself and sometimes its not till later that you realize that. Eventually, I became a senior and my father had had enough. He sat me down and said to me, “Michael, if you are going to make it in life you better start now because it’s now or never.” He was right of course so I did very well in my senior year to bring my grade point average up. 1 applied to many smaller colleges and was accepted to most all of them, but decided on Chowan. As it turned out, it was an excellent Dr. Michael Sternberg, alumnus from Williamsburg, ya., chats with his former science professors, George Hazelton, left and Dr. Garth Faile. Sternberg graduated with the Class of1972. choice. Everyone here was fnendly and willing to help. I immediately liked it here and did very well academically. I applied to optometry school and was accepted with an Associate of Science degree earned at Chowan. I was one of 16 in a class of 155 at optometry school that had an Associate degree rather than a Bachelors degree. After being on the Dean’s List for 9 out of 13 quarters, I graduated and was out in private practice at the age of 23. During the course of the four years optometry school my father became ill and was forced to retire. Through the efforts of our local optometric society, we managed to keep the office running until I could return. Thirteen years later, even though I don’t look as if I could be that old, I still very much enjoy the profession and am excited about the new advancements we are making every day. We have a nice home in Williamsburg, the ability to do a lot of traveling, many hobbies, and time to enjoy my family which consists of my wife, Leveida, my wonderful 5 year old son, Matthew, and my beautiful new 7 month old daughter, Sierra Michelle. Life couldn’t be any better. There is so much out in the world for you to look forward to. So, make the most of your precious time here at Chowan, work hard towards your goals, and be prepared for what the future will bring. 1 want to spell Chowan out once again a little more on the serious side; C — Commitment — Make one to yourself. H — Help — If you need it, just ask. O — Opportunity — It’s waiting for you. All you have to do is open your eyes &your mind. W — Work — If you want something enough you must be willing to work hard for it. See SPEAKERS, Next Page The Chowanian, May-June, 1989—PAGE THIRTEEN
Chowan University Student Newspaper
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 1, 1989, edition 1
13
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75