A packed J. M. Jenkins Center was home to the nineteenth annual Scholarship Luncheon on the 3rd of November, as over 100 scholarship donors joined students, faculty and staff in an afternoon of celebration and gratitude. Key speakers on the subject of scholarships were students Cristina Flores and Jaylon Boyd, and Trustee Cecil S. Hollomon, Jr. 

The scholarship luncheon provides an opportunity for donors to meet the students that their funding directly supports. The unique experience allows students and donors to forge relationships and express how scholarships harness success, and share experiences as to why the Chowan University community means so much to them. Having been an institution tradition since 2003, the scholarship luncheon reinforces the impact that scholarships have. Chowan Women’s Soccer Captain, Cristina Flores, through her speech, delivered by Dr. Danny Moore in her absence, advocated the importance of scholarships, sharing that they “change the lives of students for the better” and that they personally allowed her to be the first generation of her family to attend University. The institution’s entire endowment exceeds $33 million with the largest portion contributed by the scholarships section. President Kirk Peterson in his remarks praised donors, expressing that scholarships are imperative for many students to remain enrolled at the university. 

Jaylon Boyd, a member of the football team and recipient of the Chowan Christian Service Association Endowed Scholarship and June and Harold Babb Business Scholarship, provided a speech portraying his journey to Chowan. Boyd, the 4:13 chaplain for the football team and deacon of his church, described how his donors have provided him the opportunity to “enhance his connection with Faith, while pursuing a dream of gaining a degree and playing the sport I love”. 

To provide perspective from a donor’s viewpoint, Cecil S. Hollomon, Jr. gave remarks, “scholarships are an excellent investment for Chowan and its students”, the alumnus proclaimed, “numerous opportunities arise for scholarship recipients as they matriculate through their years here and Chowan does everything possible to prepare them for a productive role in society”. Reinforcing the magnitude of impact scholarships have for our students, he stated, “we realize how important it is to continue the legacy of supporting higher education through scholarships at Chowan.”

In total, four students represented the sixty-seven students in attendance with speeches or music performances. Following lunch, Joshua Lynch performed vocals on “Summertime” with the Chowan University Jazz band, leading into “Blow High Blow Low,” this time accompanied by Chair of Music Department, Dr. Mary Hellman, on piano. Student, Patrick Krack participated by leading the benediction. Currently undertaking the Masters of Organizational Leadership degree at Chowan University, Patrick is the first graduate school student to receive an endowed scholarship, and his impact on campus exceeds his role as ministry chaplain and baseball starter, made possible through the generosity of scholarship donors. John M. Tayloe, Assistant to the President and Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving, provided mementos of appreciation on behalf of Chowan University. 

There are over 350 named scholarships at Chowan. Donors establish scholarships to give back for aid they received as students, in memory of family members or friends, in honor of their class year, because they are thankful for the education they received, and a number of other personal reasons.  Students are matched with scholarships based on their intellectual pursuits, extracurricular achievements, hometowns, and plans for the future, among other factors. Scholarships are just one part of financial aid at Chowan. This type of aid allows Chowan to admit students based on their ability to contribute in the classroom, on campus, in the community and to society not based on what their family can afford.