“Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.” James Allen

Homecoming 2024 was the joyful, spirited unveiling of a vital Chowan University: Revivals with great music and preaching every night; rainfall added to the fun as students, led by Dr. Thomas, brought a little cheer, schedule cards, stickers and rally towels to local businesses on Main Street; a new bookstore in the Hawks Nest unveiled; word of the best of awards for business, sports science and athletic programs, all unveiled; the Religious Heritage Lecture by Brad Ford brought dancing, laughter and fun in learning about life skills. We are here because of our distinguished alumni, who were acknowledged amongst friends and family at a reception and dinner in their honor, as well as half-time during the Homecoming football game. All in honor and unveiling the greatness of Chowan University.

Significant to the university’s vision of faith, family and future was the unveiling of Chowan’s Ministry, led by the J Squad consisting of Dr. Jill Awuni, Jason Fowler and Dr. J Brabban. Four revivals, the least of which attendance was 75 were held, as well as Sunday services bookending Homecoming Week. “The people who came to the altar gave their lives to Christ to pray to sing and to join in this journey that we are all experiencing because of the power of these three individuals”(Dr. Rosemary Thomas). 

Jason Fowler, Interim Minister at Chowan University preaches of God’s love. “Becoming the Interim Minister at Chowan has been the greatest blessing of my time here. With every service and every student that grows closer to God, I receive another confirmation of His calling for me to serve here at Chowan and give of myself, in order to better showcase Him to our students. As a Professor, I have always valued deepening the relationship between my students and myself, and the opportunity to lead in Ministry has taken that to an even higher level. Not only do I have the privilege of imparting knowledge and sharing truth, I also get a chance to make a real impact on their lives and their souls for the rest of their lives. Having only just begun, leading our students, our campus and our community closer to God is a responsibility I already cherish and an honor for which I will always be grateful.”

J Brabban is our Community Outreach Liaison. Dr. Brabban’s role revolves around staying in communication with local churches and associations, to let them know Chowan is open to partnership and ready to build up our community alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ.

“I am excited about how Chowan University now states in its requirements that spiritual growth is an essential life skill. Encouraging our students to become more active in developing spiritual growth is a worthy goal, one we have always had, but now is explicitly stated.”

Dr. Jill Awuni works with Chowan Christian Service Association (CCSA) as the connection to maintain and grow relationships with our students and local churches and ensure our students remain connected to the local community. 

Jason Fowler, J Brabban and Jill Awuni clearly have one more J on their team. Jesus is at the helm, clearly leading the Chowan University community in love. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”(John 13:34-35)

Unveiling for Chowan University’s Hargus Taylor Religious Heritage Series became part of our Homecoming Celebration. 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.

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.

The announcement of a press release unveiling Chowan’s Bookstore to be housed in the Hawks Nest lead to even more momentous disclosures:

Chowan University’s Department of Business has been recognized as one of the Best Business Degree Programs in the Country by Research.com in their 2024 edition of the Best Colleges & Universities. 

Chowan University is named as one of the top ten promising Sports Sciences Colleges in the USA in Higher Education Review Magazine, September 20, 2024

Chowan University’s Athletic Program received over 30,000 votes becoming best in the area honored in a contest by the Roanoke-Chowan News Herald.

Chowan University’s Athletic Program is one of the first colleges in the country to include Women’s Flag Football beginning in 2025.

The Homecoming doors closed for 2024 with a celebration of Distinguished Alumni including James Elliott Moore, Angie Felton Salerno, Nicola J. Khoury, Christopher J. Moore and Vaughn Edward Byrd. Outstanding Community Service awards were also presented to Grace Graham Brown, Alton W. Parker, Jr. and Mark Elton Parker. Gratitude for family was a common thread woven with care throughout the dinner, during conversations at the tables, and in the introductions of and responses made by the recipients. 

Dr. Thomas, in her opening remarks said, “When we talk about the word family it means a lot of different things to different people. Many people in this room are surrounded by your family. Some of them have the same last name as you; some of them share a home with you; some of them, you chose. I know how that works. We know that we have students who come to Chowan and their families may cry and pat them on the back and hold tight as they drive away, and other students who cannot wait to get here because they need to find a family that will hold them close and pat their back and cry when they have to say goodbye.” Effective families help each other emotionally and spiritually; they hold their members accountable and they support one another. Chowan, reaching out to their students, and wrapping their arms around them creates a beautiful chosen family. Because of the warmth this brings, learning and growth can happen.

Dr. Brenda Tinkham introduced Vaughn Byrd with memories of his participation in one of her education classes. “He threw a bag of neckties and everyone learned the proper way to tie a tie. I’m not sure if it was forehand, backhand, whatever. We learned and we had fun. As part of this class also, was attendance at a school board meeting.We had discussed appropriate dress for the board meeting. When we greeted board members after the meeting they offered Vaughn a position as an assistant principal based upon the way he was dressed. No interview required.” Byrd is currently employed with D.C. Public Schools, where he is a Music teacher. His students have performed for The Council of Chief State School Officers Legislative Conference, The Kennedy Center, and Vice-President Kamala Harris. He is also the Minister of Music for Mount Olive Baptist Church in Stafford, VA.

Angie Salerno attended Chowan College in 1985. A third year art program was added before she graduated, and felt very special to become one of the first juniors graduating before attending Christopher Newport University. She works for Suffolk Public Schools as an Elementary Art teacher where she initiated a huge recycling program collecting over 11,000 pounds of plastic. Sheila Dunlap, also a graduate of Chowan, introduced Salerno saying that she is a “very energetic, outgoing, artistic and talented lady. She helped me come out of my shell here at Chowan. I love Chowan and have always loved it but when I first got here it was a little scary. Angie helped me so much. She is my best friend.”

Dr. Thomas introduced Grace Brown for her outstanding community service. “I can stand here and tell you how knowledgeable Grace Brown is, but tonight we are going to honor her for how much she truly cares, that she gives back, and her vision for the future is unparalleled. My friend, our board member, truly is a community service leader.” 

Grace Brown responded, “Everytime I come on campus I am absolutely wowed by the talent, the excitement, the enthusiasm, all the learning that is going on here.” 

John Tayloe introduced James Moore, “His fingerprints can be found across this campus, in the hallway leading into the president’s office, where his ancestor’s portrait, founder of Chowan, hangs, the music department; a scholarship program here at Chowan, and his desire, along with family members to honor his grandmother, Gladiola Parker Moore with an endowed scholarship has been established.  Institutions like Chowan, organizations like Murfreesboro Historical Association thrive by those who will invest time, talent and treasure. James truly is the epitome of that.” James Moore, after a rewarding and successful career mostly in the Army where he worked in historical libraries all over the world has come home.  

Christopher J. Moore is a 2014 Cum Laude graduate of Chowan University with a BS in Health and Physical Education. He caught the audience’s attention quickly, “I stand before you humbly as a Chowan graduate but also somebody who didn’t start here. My journey started at Virginia Wesleyan University. I had a 0.92 GPA. Moore is currently the first Director of Athletics at Virginia Peninsula Community College, as well as Head Men’s Basketball Coach. He is proud that he has a student transferring to Chowan University next year.

Dr. Rosemary Thomas introduced Alton and Mark Parker together. “I have never been in the presence of so much positivity. What do a couple of DJs, a firefighter, an EMT, a performer, technicians – technical careers beyond comparison, a cruise director, and a couple of historians have in common? They make a difference. They make a difference every day because of what they give back.Because of what they give to this community, because of what they challenge this community to give to one another. The word volunteer appears so many times in their biographies we almost wonder how they made enough money to make it this far. But they have and they put a scholarship here to Chowan to identify that level of commitment and that philanthropic spirit that they have.” 

Alton Parker Jr. shared that they wanted to honor their family so they established a scholarship in memory of their grandmother, who was class of 1901, and father and uncle who were distinguished alumni of the class of 1939, and also their mom. “Our mom came to Murfreesboro to teach English and she is looking down, smiling at the wonderful Dr. Thomas here. She is pleased that we have such a beautiful, strong female leading this university.”

Mark Parker thanked Chowan instructors for tutoring him. Chowan was his playground. He had a go-cart that he would drive around Squirrel Park. He worked summers painting, doing electrical work and cutting grass. Currently he enjoys volunteer work with the Murfreesboro Historical Association.

Dr. Jill Awuni read Dr. Christopher White’s introduction to Nicola Khoury. Dr. White found Nick in Bethlehem, a Christian Palestinian, a minority amongst minorities. During Dr. White’s years as Chowan University’s President, 2,000 Palestinaians received scholarships and Nick was one of them. “Here at Chowan he won the most outstanding student in his class. He was the best student recruiter in Chowan’s history. He became the annual fund director and raised record sums of money. He was recruited and hired by College of William and Mary for the Enrollment Program. This was remarkable, for top tier schools rarely hire young professionals from small schools like Chowan. He’s setting records. I can only imagine what his next professional step will be.”

Nicola Khoury is grateful.  “Chowan University, you are my family. Your guidance, support and belief in me made all the difference. Let me tell you all, I stand here tonight not just as an individual but as the result of a community that has lifted me up time and time again.

Homecoming 2024 unveiled faith, family and future – a promise of who we are and who we will be.