Graduation exercises were held in Jesse Helms Center.
209 receive degrees;
Fisher, Phillips
graduation speakers
July, 1983
mt
dunmmian
Jordan gets Distinguished Alunnni Award
John Richard Jordon, Jr., and his wife proudly look at the
Distinguished Alumni Award plaque presented at the conclusion
of the 1983 graduation ceremonies in Helms Center. Mrs. Jordan
is the former Brenda Moore Harlow of Roonoke Rapids.
Raleigh attorney, John Richard
Jordan, Jr., received the
Distinguished Alumni Award dur
ing graduation services held in
May in the Jesse Helms Center.
The award is presented to alum
ni for their contribution to Chowan
and religious, educational and
civic causes. President Bruce E.
Whitaker made the presentation.
A Winton native, Jordon
graduated from Ahoskie High
School, Chowan College, and the
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill which granted him the
B.A. and LL.D. derees.
He is serving as chairman of the
Board of Governors of the Univer
sity of North Carolina and is a past
chairman of the North Carolina
State Board of Higher Education.
He served in the North Carolina
Senate.
Whitaker said Jordan has made
a “significant contribution” in
health affairs. He has served as
president and chairman of the
Board of Directors of the North
Carolina Division of the American
Cancer Society, state chairman of
both the American Red Cross and
the National Society for Crippled
Children and Adults, and president
of the North Carolina Arthritis
Foundation. He received the Gold
Medal Award from the American
Cancer Society.
Jordan has served in many other
civic activities including president
of the Wake County Historical
Society, chairman of the North
Carolina State Board of Social Ser
vices, and in numerous leadership
roles within the Democratic Par
ty.
Dr. Whitaker noted, “Mr. Jordan
has rendered outstanding service
to Chowan College, serving on the
Board of Trustees, as a class chair
man, and in numerous other
ways.” He is a great-grandson of
William Watson Mitchell, who
played a leading role in the foun
ding of the college and served as
chairman of Chowan’s Board of
Trustees for 19 years.
Diplomas and degrees were
awarded to 209 Chowan College
students on May 15 in the Jesse
Helms Center.
The Baccalaureate Service in
cluded invocation by Professor
Gilbert A. Tripp, Jr.; scripture and
prayer by Dr. Hargus Taylor,
chaplain; and benediction by Pro
fessor Ann Waring. Baccalaureate
music was presented by the com
mencement ensemble, directed by
Bob Brown.
Dr. Benjamin C. Fisher, of Mur
freesboro, delivered the morning
address. He is executive direc
tor/treasurer emeritus of the
Education Commission of the
Southern Baptist Convention.
Served as Chief Executive
Fisher served for nine years as
chief executive of the Education
Commission before retiring in
1978. He is a member of the Board
of Advisors, and is presently ad
junct professor of religion and
education consultant to the Camp
bell University president.
Fisher received the 1981 Award
for Outstanding Service to
America’s Small Independent Col
leges from The Council tor the Ad
vancement of Small Colleges, in
Washington, D. C.
Clifton Collins, director of finan
cial aid, brought the invocation to
open the graduation program in
the afternoon before one of the
largest audiences ever witnessed
for the year-end ceremonies. The
commencement chorale, directed
by Dr. James Chamblee, sang
‘ ‘Praise We Sing to Thee. ”
Dr. John David Phillips, a
Portland, Ore., native and Phi
Beta Kappa member, presented
the commencement address.
Phillips received his Docotor of
Philosophy degree from Stanford
University, and presently serves
as president of the National
Association of Independent Junior
Colleges. The organization is com
prised of approximately 850 in
dependent, non-profit institutions,
including Chowan College.
Served with HEW
Phillips served for six years with
^ the Department of Health, Educa
tion and Welfare, U. S. Office of
Education, in Washington, D. C.,
rising to the post of deputy com
missioner for post-secondary
education.
Darrell Nicholson, registrar; Dr.
B. Franklin Lowe, Jr., dean of the
college; and President Bruce E.
Whitaker participated in the
awarding of diplomas and degrees.
Award Presented
Raleigh attorney, John Richard
Jordan, Jr., a 1938 Chowan
graduate, received the
Distinguished Alumni Award for
his service to his church, com
munity and alma mater.
The award was presented at the
conclusion of the graduation exer
cises.
IN MEMORIAM
1916
Mrs. Minnie Eloise
Harton Harmon
1917
Mrs. Lucille Britton Coggins
1926
Mrs. Maella Askew Powell
1932
Mrs. Alma Belch Bryant
1976
Glenn Steven Jenkins