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In addition, officials confirmed the college's plans to open a satellite campus in Roanoke Rapids, contract with a Korean university to offer a student and professor exchange and to announce soon the name of its new mascot.
Standing in front of the stately McDowell Columns Building that anchors the 300-acre campus, President Martin Christopher White made the proclamation Thursday morning to a formidable crowd of students, professors and guests.
“Today, I am pleased to announce that the Chowan College Board of Trustees, acting in regular session, has unanimously approved a recommendation to change the name of the institution to Chowan University,” he said to much applause.
“This is an historic and confident act. It defines not only who we are, but where we are going. Today we look boldly into the future, and we like what we see. We see a small college emerging as a regional, and perhaps national force in higher education.”
He said that with rising student enrollment and a 50 percent increase in gifts and campus improvements, Chowan is experiencing a “remarkable resurgence” and many believe the historical college, established in 1848, is approaching its best years.
Regarding potential off-campus facilities in Roanoke Rapids, White said the intent of the new university is to open some sort of program in conjunction with Halifax Community College, beginning next spring.
Students would complete two years at HCC, then two years at the Chowan University satellite site. Tentative plans are to offer two majors, business administration and social sciences, and grow from there.
Vice President of Enrollment Management Jonathan Wirt confirmed the college is “definitely going to be in Roanoke Rapids.”
HCC's Vice President of Instructional Services Joy Cooley said informal discussions did occur. “We're very open to working with Chowan,” she said, adding that nothing has been officially agreed upon.
Following his speech, White unveiled the new seal. “It has not changed except for the addition of one word (university),” he noted. The motto “Lux Et Veritas” or “light and truth” remains the same, as does the commitment to values, community and personal excellence, he said. He also unveiled the school's new Chowan University logo which students can soon expect to see gracing their T-shirts, sweatshirts and caps.
Actually, White said, the legal name change will not occur until Sept. 1.
During a brief question-and-answer period, a student asked what the new sports mascot would be. Previously, the Chowan team, which entered NCAA Division II in the fall 2005, had been called the Braves. However, on Jan. 26, in response to a directive from the athletic league, the college issued a press release stating “Chowan College has agreed to step away from its heritage and native culture by agreeing to change its mascot in compliance with the NCAA ruling on Native American mascots, which have deemed to be ‘hostile and aggressive.'”
White joked the team may be called the “teddy bears” before saying a committee is still looking into the subject and “a decision will be made in a few weeks.”
Another student queried the president about an agreement with South Korea's Seoul Cyber University. White said Chowan has made an arrangement allowing an exchange of professors and students from the school. It is the new university's first venture into international educational relationships. “What graduate programs (are in the works?),” a student asked. White said due to the overwhelming requests, elementary education will be the first post-graduate program, but others will follow. Just as the questions ceased, in bounced the Chowan University cheerleaders, who clapped and cheered, “this is the year we start something new, Chowan University, Go Big Blue!”
Business major Jon Hodges, 24, said it's definitely an exciting time for the school and he's looking forward to new things and taking new classes.
Chowan University was first established as Chowan Female Institute in 1848, then changed to Chowan Female Collegiate Institute from 1850-1867, and was Chowan Baptist Female Institute after 1867. It is the second oldest Baptist institute in North Carolina.
The name was changed to Chowan College in 1910. In 1931, male students were admitted for the first time. However, in 1937, due to financial restraints, the college switched from a four-year to a two-year institute and became Chowan Junior College.
According to White, “serious consideration” was given to changing the college back to a senior level college as early as 1983-1984, but that step was taken in 1992/1993.
White said various events and celebrations are planned for September after the name officially changes, but in all reality, the change has already been made.
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