Newspapers / Chowan University Student Newspaper / May 1, 1989, edition 1 / Page 3
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Unanimously approved by Board Dr. Jerry Jackson elected 20th President; to assume office August 3 The Chowan College Board of Trustees elected Dr. Jerry Francis Jackson as the college’s 20th president, unanimously approving the recommendation of its Search Committee. The called meeting of the trustees was held May 16th. Dr. Jackson, vice president for development at the Southern Baptist Convention's Foreign Mission Board, Richmond, Va.. will begin his service as president on August 3. He will replace Dr. Bruce E. Whitaker, who has served since May, 1957. Whitaker will retire on August 2, completing more than 32 years as president of Chowan. The Board of Advisors were guests of the trustees for the called meeting, held in the Office of the President. Trustee Chairman Thomas M. McCrary of Raleigh, presided. He is also chairman of the Search Committee Unanimous Decision Commented McCrary, “The Search Committee's recommendation was unanimous. We are confident that Dr. Jackson will be a strong leader at Chowan following in the footsteps of the beloved Bruce Whitaker.” President Whitaker noted, “The Board of Trustees has chosen a well qualified person who has the potential to lead Chowan into the 21st century with prospects for a successful tenure of office. ” Jackson was accompanied by his wife, the former Carolyn G. Laughlin. She will resign her position as assistant superintendent of schools for Durham County to move to Murfreesboro. The couple will reside in the new president’s home under construction on campus. They have two children, Jerry West, 23, and Jami Melissa, 17. Jackson addressed the Board briefly prior to the unanimous vote. Following the meeting, he commented, “This is a great opportunity to build on what Dr. Whitaker and presidents before him have done. To become president of a college without indebtedness is almost unheard of. “I offer my congratulations to Dr. Whitaker and his staff for the progress they have brought Chowan in the last 32 years. I am looking forward to building on that progress. I am committed to Baptist Christian higher education. I believe in it. “I am sure that anytime you have a change of leadership you have changes. But, I am not interested in making changes just for the sake of doing so. I’m interested only in changing that which will make the college a stronger and better institution. “I realize that a college is not a church, but I do hope that every student who comes here will leave a better person. I want Chowan to make a positive influence on each student’s life. I have been asked several times whether I believe Chowan should remain a two year college or become a four year college. I believe another study needs to be conducted. There are many factors that need to be considered including the matter of funds that will be needed to support a change to a four year college. Interested in Endowment “One of my primary interests will be increasing the endowment— I’m committed to that. ” He added, “I owe a great deal of gratitude to Dr. Leslie Campbell, former Campbell College president. He’s the one who gave me my start in higher education when he employed me as a professor at Campbell.” Jackson has had considerable experience as a college administrator at two North Carolina colleges—Campbell University and Wingate College. These colleges, like Chowan, are related to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. Chowan’s new president, Dr. Jerry Jackson, left, is pictured with Dr. Bruce Whitaker following his election by the Board of Trustees. Beginning in September, 1963, Jackson served on the faculty and staff at Campbell for over 14 years. He was an assistant professor, teaching courses in political science and history, before serving in three administrative positions. For over three years, Jackson was assistant to the academic dean at Campbell. For more than five years, he served as Dean of Students supervising the dean of men, dean of women, directors of religious activities, health services, financial aid, and the placement office and campus publications. After serving briefly as director of development at Sampson Technical Institute, Clinton, he returned to Campbell to serve as director of admissions for more than three years Served at Wingate From July 1978 to May 1982, Jackson was vice president for advancement at Wingate College. The first person in this position, he increased the total number of donors from 785 to 1,771 and super vised a capital fund raising program that met its $2 million goal. He assisted in raising a school record amount of money for one year, $1.4 million. Jackson supervised directors of college relations, alumni, public information, publications and photography, and admissions. In June 1982, he was asked to organize the Foreign Mission Board’s first development program. He supervised the completion of a two year $15.1 million capital raising program. In seven years, the development office has raised over $30 million in current gifts, deferred gifts and wills. A Clinton native, Jackson holds the A.A. from Mars Hill College, B.A. in history and M.A. in political science from Southern Illinois University. The University of South Carolina Granted him the Ed.D. in higher education. He is a member of Watts Street Baptist Church, Durham The Chowanian, May-June, 1989—PAGE THREE
Chowan University Student Newspaper
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May 1, 1989, edition 1
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