A dedication ceremony was held at Chowan University on Friday, October 17th honoring the patriotic donation of longtime Chowan patrons Wayne and Shirley Brown of Murfreesboro, NC.

Owners of Brown’s Mobile Home Sales and WRB Rentals Inc. in Murfreesboro, the Browns support multiple aspects of the local community including Wayne Brown as a past Trustee and Shirley Brown as currently serving on the Board of Trustees at Chowan University. Their daughter, Cheryl Ann Brown Whitley, is a 1994 graduate.

Most recently, the couple generously gifted a 50-foot flagpole with brass header and an American flag measuring 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide to fly in front of the new Pond Football Center at Chowan.

“An idea is no good without people to make it come true. Thanks to Wayne and Shirley Brown for making this idea a reality,” Chowan President Chris White stated at the beginning of the ceremony. “Linda and I have never lived anywhere that the people are as patriotic as they are here. It seems both the citizens and the veterans truly care about the country and the flag.”

Local war veterans and other supporters like the Murfreesboro Coffee Club and Murfreesboro’s Mayor John Hinton were on hand to share in the intimate ceremony.

“There is a deep respect for the flag both as a symbol and a reality,” White said, addressing the crowd before the flag was officially raised, adding in prayer, “Thank you for the sacrifice of the men and women who have devoted their lives to this flag. May we be worthy of it.”

The new flag and flagpole will be the main focus for the National Anthem at all future football games held in Garrison Stadium. Located at the geographic center of Chowan University, the new flag can be admired from most buildings and walkways across the nearly 400 acre campus.