Chowan University warmly welcomes Dr. Torrence Gill as the Biology Department’s new Assistant Professor. Being from a military family, the Goldsboro, NC native has traveled across the globe, living everywhere from Arizona to Europe. But a state complete with beautiful beaches, towering mountains, and thriving cities has the greenest grass for Dr. Gill. North Carolina is home.

Dr. Gill is an outspoken proponent for the importance of higher education. He received his bachelor's degree in Animal Science from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky in Molecular Entomology. Since beginning his teaching career, Dr. Gill has always challenged his students to not only reach the next threshold in their educational journey but to encourage their family members to do the same. His self- proclaimed motto is “If you are the first person to attend college in your family, don’t be the last!”

When Dr. Gill is not in the classroom or assisting his students in their academic journey, he can be found at or with a game.  He shared that he supports his students not only in the classroom but also when they are in athletic competition or partaking in other extracurricular activities. When he is not watching a competition, he enjoys competing in a “friendly, or not so friendly, board game with [his] family and friends.” 

Another well-known advocate for pursuing higher education, Dr. Heather McGuire, Chair of the Biology Department, commented on behalf of her coworkers on Dr. Gill’s arrival saying, “We are excited to have Dr. Gill join our department. In addition to being an accomplished molecular biologist, it is already apparent that he approaches his teaching with enthusiasm and a sense of fun.  We have no doubt that students will benefit from Dr. Gill’s expertise, [and] we hope they will learn to share his passion for science as well.”   

In a year shaken by societal change, Chowan ardently (but metaphorically) embraces our most recent transformation within our Biology Department. We welcome Dr. Gill, fiance Julie Hart, and children Jadrien and Jovan Hart as the university’s newest Hawks.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Gill to Chowan University!