The Board members of the Chowan Christian Service Association (CCSA) at Chowan University held a special luncheon in the Chowan Room on April 15th to honor the achievements of one of their own, Dr. R. Hargus Taylor, and his life of dedicated service to others through higher education.

“Through the years, I have admired Hargus and Doris Taylor, and it’s a special occasion for us to be gathered here to honor their lifetime of service to Chowan and the community,” remarked Elaine Myers, President of the CCSA. “Your lives have really touched many people.”

Serving the CCSA as Secretary since its conception in 2005, Dr. Taylor has had a hand in the many tweaks that have made the organization improve to the quality it strives for today in helping ministerial students gain valuable assistance in affording their studies or mission experiences.

“As I think back to when we initiated the CCSA, we were sitting down to name some folks to serve as organizers and directors, and one of the first was Hargus,” recalled Rev. Ron McSwain. “As I became affiliated with the (CCSA) program, he became a friend and one we look up to. It is an honor to know him and serve with him.”

After many heartfelt stories were shared, Director of Church and Community Relations Lou Ann Gilliam presented the Taylors with a hand-made Jar of Clay, crafted on the Chowan campus by adjunct art instructor Rob Buller, in honor of their dedicated service. II Corinthians 4:7 was etched in the bottom to humbly remind “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

“Thank you very much for the kind things you’ve said and for the life we’ve had at Chowan,” Hargus responded, recalling his 36 years of service, as well as his wife Doris’s 30 years of support and encouragement. Beginning as Chaplain to the College in 1968, Taylor has held many positions on the historic campus throughout his career including Director of Denominational Relations and Chair of the Department of Religion. Even after his retirement in 1999, Taylor continues to serve as University Historian.

Fostering Baptist history and heritage, the Taylors were instrumental in establishing the Oscar Creech Collection of Baptist History at Chowan’s Whitaker Library; establishing the Hargus and Doris Taylor Scholarship; and establishing the Taylor Heritage Lectures and Endowment at Chowan as well.

Chowan University and the Chowan Christian Service Association would like to thank both Hargus and Doris Taylor for their loyal service to the university and to the greater community.