Historic McDowell Columns as seen in the 1940s.
equally important days and
events.”
Mrs. Revelle noted, “We were
coed.” She explained that in 1931
eight men were enrolled and by
1937 the number of men students
had increased to 25 — all day
students.
These 25 men formed Chowan’s
first football team. “All had to
play,” said Mrs. Revelle. “As
“Piggy” Jenkins (retired
superintendent of Hertford County
Schools) said “Chowan was the on
ly school with a 120-pound center.”
She continued, “Societies were
Alathenian and Lucalian. ‘Rush
time’ every fall consisted of par
ties given by both groups to the
freshmen. Programs were given
at regular intervals and there was
a certain degree of secrecy sur
rounding all.”
Other Events
Two other events that brighten
ed the students days were
Sophomore Day — “a real fun
day, especially for the
sophomores” - and Founders Day,
which featured tennis matches,
an address, and faculty recital.
Mrs. Revelle has fond
memories of the traditions and
activities associated with
Christmas. One of her outstanding
memories was of the Christmas
Vesper Service held the Sunday
before the students left for home.
It was a 5 p.m. candlelight ser
vice and “by the time the pro
gram was over there was
darkness outside.”
“P-Nutting” was another in
teresting holiday activity, she
recalled. “P-Nutting at the
Christmas season was filled with
surprises and much excitement,
especially the night before the
Christmas holidays. Around
Thanksgiving the SGA would
place a name in a peanut shell.
Everyone would draw one — even
the teachers. Almost every day a
package (mostly very small
things) would be placed around
the buildings. Sometimes there
would be clues as to where it
could be found but never until
Christmas was the name of the
donor known. The fun was in the
secrecy and all the stories told
about who a P-Nut might be! The
night before the Christmas
holidays everyone gathered and
found who the P-Nut was.”
Three-Day Commencement
Back then, commencement
covered three days. Sunday was
reserved for Baccalaureate and
Missionary sermons. Monday was
Class Day featuring the Alumnae
Association and an operetta at
night. Graduation was on Tuesday
morning, Mrs. Revelle noted.
While the 50th reunion is for the
Class of 1937, members of the
classes from 1934 through 1938 are
being invited to attend.
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Vint Tilson, Director of Alumni Affairs, enjoys
hearing of the “old days” from returning alumni.