New, Innovative Ideas
Norm for Dean Lewis
The new and innovative has
become the norm for Chowan
College's dean of students,
Robert Clayton I>ewis, Tabor
City, N.C. native and former
school principal for 13 years.
As dean, he is responsible for
student personnel services which
include areas of discipline,
student activities, counseling,
admissions, student health, post
office, student housing and
financial aid. Serving under him
are the following staff members,
dean of men, dean of women,
admissions director and
associate, guidance counselor,
campus security officer and
associate, nine head residents,
two nurses and director of postal
services.
I.«wis was named Chowan’s
first dean of students in August,
1968 and since then his creativity
has made its mark on campus.
I^ast year, he originated a fall
Parent’s Day and the popular
Talk-In series, which bring
together students, faculty and
staff for discussions of current
issues. Parent’s Day activities
included a program of en
tertainment featuring student
and faculty talent, open house,
dinner and football game.
To add color and excitement to
the home football games, he has
personally contacted and in
terested outstanding high school
bands from Virginia and North
Carolina to perform at halftime
and play in the stands. Chowan
does not have a marching band.
One of his more ambitious
undertakings has been the
sponsorship with Clifton Collins,
director of guidance and coun
seling and financial aid, and
other members of student per
sonnel of a summer orientation
program for students who are
planning to enrol in the fall. The
program will enter its third year
this summer and has received the
praise of both students and their
parents, who are also in at
tendance.
A special feature is the careful
planning to include activities for
parents whil» the young people
are taking placement tests. This
includes the viewing of a film
strip on college life, short
messages from staff and faculty
nriembers, and a tour of historic
Murfreesboro on college buses.
This approach has helped the
parents feel more at ease in
sending their children to college,
liBwis reports, while at the same
time preparing the students for
what to expect as a freshman at
Chowan.
Assisted by his wife, a public
school teacher, Lewis has
sponsored a number of socials,
cookouts and informal get-
togethers at his house for
students.
Possibly the brightest in
novation has been the talk-ins.
Staff and faculty members have
served as leaders with some 6-10
students at each table. This
Gene Williams Secretary of the
Department of Social Ministries,
and past president of the Chowan
Alumni Association, has sub
mitted his resignation effective
as of January 31, 1971. On
February 1, he will assume his
new responsibilities as Pastor-
Director of the Market Place
Ministries in Alexandria,
Virginia. In submitting his
resignation to Dr. Richard M.
Stephenson, Williams said,
“There are times when words
seem at best to be only weak
symbols. For me this is one of
those times. However, please
allow me this means of ex
pressing appreciation to you, to
Bill Jenkins, to the General
Board members, and to the staff
for six years of challenging
service and meaningful
relationships.”
For five years Williams served
the Virginia Baptist General
Board as the Secretary of the
semester, four have been
scheduled.
The goal has been to discuss
intelligently current issues while
at the same time improving
communications between the
various groups on campus.
He is often called upon to speak
at civic clubs and other
organizations in the area. He also
teaches a class in Western
Civilization. Lewis is a graduate
of Wake Forest University and
Elast Carolina University, where
he received his master’s degree.
Since coming to Chowan, he has
taken courses in higher education
at George Peabody College for
Teachers to help keep abreast of
his work in student personnel.
I^wis came to Chowan after
three years’ service as principal
of North Stanley High School,
New London, N. C.
Men’s Department. When the
reorganization of the General
Board staff was recommended by
the Committee of 24, Williams
was asked by Dr. Stephenson to
accept the position as Secretary
of the newly formed Department
of Social Ministries. Division of
Ministries Director William H.
Jenkins said, “This new ministry
has rapidly and effectively made
a place for itself as a resource to
Virginia Baptist life largely due
to the able Section provided by
Mr. Williams.”
The Market Place Ministries is
located at the Landmark Shop
ping Center in Alexandria, and
will include counseling and
chaplaincy services, child care,
as well as ecumenical ministries
and worship. The pastoral
ministry will be support^ jointly
by the Mount Vernon Baptist
Association, the Virginia Baptist
General Board and the Home
Mission Board of the Southern
Baptist Convention. The
Washington City Presbytery of
the United Presbyterian Church
is providing the facilities in the
Landmark Shopping Center
which will house the operation.
Aboard of managers composed of
representatives from the United
Presbyterian, Presbyterians U.S.
(Southern), United Methodist
Church, the Episcopal Church,
the United Church of Christ, and
Southern Baptists, will give
supervision,along with Williams,
to the various ministrits con
ducted in these facilities.
Dr. Richard M. Stephenson,
Executive Secretary, and
Jenkins, issued a statement in
which they said they “join with
Virginia Baptists in expressing
appreciation to Gene Williams
for his significant and
meaningful ministry while
serving on the staff of the
General Board. We extend to him
and to Gloria, Worth, Leslie, and
Robbie, our best wishes as they
take up their residence and
assume this promising ministry
in Northern Virginia.”
Reprinted from Religious
Hearald Richmond, Va.
o
Quite a few people get their
sermons via radio and televis
ion. The collection plate can’t
be passed to people in their
homes.
GREETING VISITORS—Dean Lewis personally conducts
tours of the campus for visitors and prospective students.
Taking time out from his office for this service causes the
Dean to be one of the busiest men at Chowan.
Gene Williams Resigns
To Accept New Post
READY FOR ORIENTATION—The Dean of Students is
responsible for conducting orientation sessions of incom
ing students during the summer months. He is pictured
here on his way to such a session, but stopping to chat
with a prospective student’s mother.
STUDENT WORK ON EXHIBIT—The creative works of
Chowan students was recently displayed in the Chowan
College Art Gallery, and many visitors viewed pieces of
sculpture. The Art Gallery has proven to be a popular
place since its opening, due mainly to the efforts of Prof.
Craig Greene, who is in charge ol the program.
PAGE FOURTEEN
The Chowanian