Linda Hassell, Cataloger and Special Collections Librarian, retired from Chowan University in December 2019. Her position’s responsibilities included: performing original and copy cataloging and classification of materials in all formats. She worked to ensure the accuracy of local bibliographic records based on OCLC records to provide service to faculty, staff and students using the online public catalog. Ms. Hassell was also responsible for the oversight of the Special Collections in the McDowell and Creech Collections. Her mission was to preserve the university’s history and its Baptist traditions.

Ms. Hassell’s legacy at Chowan spans more than her work in the library. Her father was employed at Chowan as the Director of Maintenance from 1960-1995. Because her father worked at Chowan for many years, Linda Hassell was very familiar with Chowan and its campus at a very young age. She was a student at Chowan from 1971-1973 and graduated with an A.A. degree in liberal arts. Hassell completed her education after receiving a B.A. in history in 1975 from Meredith College, and later, earning her first masters in education (M.A.Ed.) in 1990 and her second masters in Library Science (M. L.S.) in 1992 from East Carolina University. Her career as a faculty member at Chowan began in the fall of 1975, working for the Housing Department. A few years later, she worked as the Director of Institutional Research. And in the fall of 1988, Ms. Hassell began her most treasured position, working in Whitaker Library. 

Some of Linda Hassell’s most memorable events include being a member of Lux Veritas in 2000 and the dedication of the Hassell Center Maintenance Building in memory of her father. In August 2013, she was appointed as a Chowan Faculty Marshall and in spring 2018, Ms. Hassell was appointed to serve as Chief Faculty Marshall for the 2016-2017 academic year. She was nominated for the Community Service Award in spring 2018, as well as the recipient of the Female Employee of the Year Award (2017- 2018), and the Academic Affairs Award of Excellence for job performance in the spring of 2019. Ms. Hassell’s awards and recognition stand as a testament to her dedication and fervent loyalty to Chowan University.

Ms. Hassell was a part of the Chowan fabric for forty-four years. Her passion and love of learning was rooted in her collegiate experience; being taught by intelligent professors who were invested in helping college students succeed inspired her to do the same in her professional life. Ms. Hassell’s job in Whitaker Library gave her the opportunity to have a positive, influential impact on student’s lives. As a token of appreciation for her dedicated service, Chowan University named its archives after Ms. Hassell upon her retirement.