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I5y Dr. Bruck E. Whitaker
The tenets of our great American tradition
are incumbent upon us to celebrate and com
memorate two significant and meaningful holi
day days”—Thanksgiving and Christmas—within
a brief period of only four weeks. Actually, these
historic and symbolic celebrations have tended to
be marked only by an attitude of benevolence
and good cheer.
Take Thanksgiving, for instance. Traditionally
it is a time for giving thanks for the things we
receive. But it is really a time to be thankful for
what we are able to give. Ponder this year, I
suggest, the meaning of the GIVING in Thanks
giving, u'hile remembering at the same time that
our thanks is for the most beautiful and bounti
ful harvests any nation has enjoyed in the history
of the world.
The true meaning of Christmas, on the other
hand, is centered in the Incarnation, which is the
union of divinity ivith humanity in Jesus Christ
who is both God and man at the same lime. God,
himself, came in Jesus of Nazareth as the re
velation of Himself to man. Unless, therefore,
we delve deeply beneath the surface of the cul
tural-commercial aspects of both the Thanksgiving
and (Christmas seasons, we make a mockery of
both. To me, Christmas is made more meaningful
when homogenized ivith a true spirit of Thanks
giving.
Many of us are reflecting upon the progress,
growth and service of Chotvan College as an
institution of Christian higher education. It is
fitting that students, faculty, alumni, and a host
of friends of Chowan College reflect upon the
heritage of this 115 year old instituton. We are
I especially thankful for the College and espe
cially for the fact that so many friends have
and are expressing concretely their interest
and support. Multitudinous blessings have been
ours.
Chowan is accredited by the Southern Associa
tion of Colleges and Schools, our regional ac
crediting ugency, and by the North Carolina
C.ollcge (’onference. It is a member of the Ameri
can Association of Junior Colleges, the Council
tif Protestant Colleges and L niversities, and the
American Council on Education. It is one of
.seven proud institutions of higher learning which
are oivned and operated by the Baptist State Con
vention of North Carolina.
Since the fall of 1957, ivhen the college opened
with a total of 299 students, Chowan has had
phenomenal percentage growth in student popula
tion. In September of this year we openeil with
886 regular students. Additional part-time and
special students brought the number to a total of
967, by far the largest enrollment in the history
of the college. During this same period of lime,
the plant evaluation has increased from less than
S1,0()(),()()() to well over S3,()()0,()()(). And ice are
.still growing.
I never cease to be gralpjul for the expressed
interest and confidence of the many friends of
Chotvan College who are giving more money each
year to its development program. Though our
income from all sources has not kept pace with
our needs, remarkable progress has been made.
In September tie began the use of a neiv 216-bed
dormitory for men, a modern structure ivhich is
fully air conditioned. During the summer, through
the generosity of Mr. J. Henry Jones of Red Oak,
we were able to construct a handsome new drive
way with parking facilities located beticeen it
and the old drive which now serves as a walkway.
At the moment we are involved in the landscaping
of the campus ivhich iiill compliment the netc
drive. Mr. John 0. Askew. Ill, of Harrellsville.
has graciously provided funds for an appropriate
new entrance to the campus. The entrance is
lighted at night reflecting the name and founding
date (1848) of the college. Miss I). Emily Barnes
has made vossible the installation of an electric
Carillon bell system, an appropriate and welcome
addition to the campus. With the leadership of
Coach James Garrison and with the help of many
friends of the college, we were able to construct a
new athletic field which was used for the first
time this fall.
Two significant gifts were received in Novem
ber. From the estate of the late Charles H. Jenkins
of Ihoskie, C h o IV a n received appro.ximatel}
>(')().()()().()() ilcsignaleil for (,cneril Endoii nienl.
()ul\ the income Irom these funds will be useil
jor the operating purposes oj the cidlege through
the \ears to come. The other, anil largest gift in
the tiislor\ of the colb'ge. was made b\ Mr.s.
Texie (.amp Marks iil B(nl,ins. I irginia. and b\
her three children--Mr. Paul ('.amp Marks, Mrs.
IClix Irnolil anil Mr. ludiert I. .Murks. Jr. I he
Bdiinl of Tn/.sl'c.s has a policy whereby, donors
who provide at least 51', of the contract price
oj a given building may designate the name. 1 he
classroom hiiilding. iihich will be named "Robert
Mark's Hall'', is scheiluled to be completed in
March, anil iiill cost more than S105.()()().()().
Many other un-nameil donors have made and are
making un-hei aided or iin-named gifts uhich
mean as much and are appreciated as much as
tho.se to iihiih publicity has been given.
Moreover, a thing of tremendous satisfaction to
me. personalh. is that ue enioy an enviable spirit
and morale within the college family on the part
oj the faculty, students and staff members. It is
obi ious. even to an "oii/sider ' that our people
enjoy living, ivorking and playing together. This
means that the atmosphere on our camju/s is con
ducive to learning and grou th on all levels.
/ arn sure that the entire Choiian College
family joins me in readily and heartily affirming
that Chowan College has reason to rejoice during
the approaching (Christmas season. My heart is
filled with gratitude for the privilege of living
and working at this beloved and growing institu
tion and for the revelation of God in Christ who
sustains us and provides strength for our daily
and even hourly decisions and responsibilities in
volving the 1‘jelfare of Chowan College as a vital
factor in the Kingdom enterprise.
FOR JANUARY, 1964