Laughter, sitting on the edge of seats to hear what’s said next, dancing on stage, even balls flying into outreached hands tossed by the lecturer made for an exciting, empiric presentation by Brad Ford, at the Chowan University’s Hargus Taylor Religious Heritage Series.

Dr. Raymond Hargus Taylor, Chaplain, Chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy and Campus Historian and his wife Doris felt strongly that academics and religion should work hand in hand, so thirty years ago the Taylors endowed a scholarship to help fund the Hargus Taylor Heritage lectures enabling Chowan students and faculty to enjoy a motivational, guest speaker every year. This generous gift for 2024, with the assistance of Dr. Rosemary Thomas, brought Brad Ford, whose passion and energy is spent motivating young people, “stirring them away from helplessness to outstanding citizens”.

Brad Ford and his wife Carol have spoken at various nonprofit organizations such as the National Convention for Autism in Pittsburgh, PA, the West Virginia State Lions Club Convention, The West Virginia State Parks and Recreation Convention, and the West Virginia CEOS/Homemakers Convention, and now Chowan University.

Ford shared with the students that unlike many big universities, at Chowan we get to speak to our faith and be proud of it. Chowan’s message is one of resilience and never giving up, even when life gets difficult. That with God’s help, and love and hugs and caring for one another, we can transform obstacles into successes. Ford introduced us to his dog, Brienna and the lessons we can learn from her, such as:  take a nap; dig until you find what you are looking for; nuzzle someone who’s having a bad day, work hard and play hard. He added to pray hard as well, and always wag your tail.

Chowan is wagging their tail with a successful beginning to an incredible year. Honored by Education Insider magazine as one of the Top 20 Christian Colleges for 2024, the Department of Business recognized as one of the Best Business Degree Programs in the Country by Research.com,  and the prestigious honor of placing in the top ten promising Sports Sciences Colleges in the USA in Higher Education Review Magazine gives Chowan much to be celebrate.