Department Programs
VISITING
EXECUTIVE
PROGRAM
The Department of Business Visiting Executive Program exists to expand the educational horizons of our students by providing the opportunity for interaction with upper-level business executives from a variety of business fields. Each semester a different executive comes to campus to speak in classes, have a networking meal with a small group of students and the Department of Business faculty, and speak at an assembly later in the day. Since its inception, participants have included a former vice president of the Richmond Federal Reserve Bank, partners in a large accounting firm, president and upper management of a hospital, a Vice President & City Manager for the State Employees’ Credit Union, Director of Sales at US Cellular, an entrepreneur who profitably created, developed and sold multiple companies, a vice president of an international agricultural corporation, vice president of a large commercial construction firm with contracts throughout the southern and eastern US, a senior economic developer for the NC Department of Commerce, the Public Relations and Communications Manager for one of the largest manufacturers of biomass fuel in the US, and a Regional General Manager with Lowe’s.
Business Awards & Honors
Organizations
Since its charter in 1966, the Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) chapter at Chowan has provided an opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge and skills. PBL itself began in 1958 and is dedicated to advancing the educational and career opportunities for students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields. Chowan PBL members compete in events testing their business knowledge and skills during the annual State Leadership Conference. The top competitors in the state in each business area advance to compete at the National Leadership Conference. School of Business students have been very successful at the state level, and have even competed at the national level. Among other charitable efforts, the local PBL chapter supports Relay for Life.
Juniors and seniors with exceptional grades may be inducted into Sigma Beta Delta (SBD), the international honor society in Business, Management and Administration. Upon joining SBD, one is a lifetime member with no additional dues or fees. SBD was chartered at Chowan in 1994 and recognizes and encourages scholastic excellence. New membership inductions occur every spring during the School’s annual Awards and Recognition Program.
The School of Business also hosts the Chowan Computer Club, which is open to all Chowan students, faculty and staff. The club is a place for individuals with an interest in computing to join together and expand their knowledge – no prior experience is necessary. The club hosts fun activities and provides service opportunities.
Awards & Honors
At the University’s Awards Convocation each spring, the top awards for achievement in the School of Business are announced. The Cheryl Joy Hobday McElheney Outstanding Graduate in Business Award is given to the outstanding graduating senior in the School of Business. The Drs. Vaughn and Miles Outstanding Business Student Award is given to a School of Business student with high academic achievement who has made significant contributions in service and citizenship. The Outstanding Student in Economics Award honors the student with the highest average in at least two economics courses who has an interest in the field of economics. In addition to these awards, in recent years business students have been the recipients of the award for the University’s outstanding athlete, the Senior Ambassador Award, the Merit Award, the Best All Around Student Award, and many others. Other business awards are announced at the School of Business Annual Awards and Recognition Program.
Eight times a year, the School of Business selects an outstanding business major as Student of the Month. Students are selected by the faculty for their exemplary academic achievements, campus involvement, and possessing personal qualities that make them good role models. A short biographical sketch and interview with the recipient is published in the School’s newsletter, Update, to spotlight students who will contribute positively to the future of the business world.
Generous donors created endowed scholarships for business students, including the Marylou Jones Armstrong Scholarship, the Randy V. Britton Memorial Scholarship, the Suzanne Simmons Clifton Scholarship, the Ronald and Nancy Hicks Scholarship, the Johnson Scholarship, the Cheryl Joy Hobday McElheney Family Memorial Scholarship, the Shirley White Spivey Scholarship, the Temperance Virginia Vaughan Memorial Scholarship and the Dorothy A. Wallace Scholarship. Other business scholarships include the Sara Marion Fisher Memorial Scholarship, the Andrea Emmott Eason Scholarship, the Benjamin Brown Family Scholarship, the Bob F. Hill Sr. and Josie Lassiter Hill Scholarship. Business students are also eligible for other University scholarships.
Meet Business
Dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies;
Associate Professor of Business