Chowan(Web)

US Executive journal

The Magazine for Leading Industry Executives

Summer 2010

Developing the Facilities of Both a Campus and Student Body Chowan University

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Developing the Facilities of Both a Campus and Student Body Produced by Mike Armstrong & Written by Molly Cohen In its 162 years of existence, Chowan University of Murfreesboro, N.C., has evolved significantly. It began in 1848 as a four-year women’s college, until the times pushed it to develop into a coed, two-year school prior to its closing for WWII. It re-opened again as a co-ed two-year institution and remained so until 1992, when it upgraded back to a four-year college. One aspect, however, has remained consistent, and that is an attitude of making learning engaging. “Chowan is a fun place to be,” says Dr. Martin Christopher White, the president of the school.

to compare Chowan’s campus to institutions around the world. Through his worldly experience, he was able to recognize the benefits of outsourcing the university’s food services, housekeeping and bookstore for efficiency. Other tasks are kept in-house, including housing, since more than 975 of Chowan’s students live on campus.

White has been with Chowan for seven years, and over his tenure he has been able to get Chowan the accreditations to go from a college to a university.

What really sets Chowan apart from other schools is “its Christian influence,” White notes. ” We take Christianity very seriously, but we’re not a sectarian type of school.

You don’t have to have any particular beliefs … it is open minded and progressive, but very serious about Christian faith.”

White also says that Chowan is a great choice for a student who wants to “know your professors and needs a little extra TLC. Our bread and butter is the average student … we can take anyone, and through counseling and tutoring turn out a well-rounded, well-educated individual. It’s a nurturing type of environment.”

Offering Extra Attention White’s devotion to Chowan goes beyond just that of an average school president. He contributes to the school’s $27 million operating budget by selling the personal CDs he recorded as an amateur musician. White’s other hobby as an international tour guide gives him the opportunity

Interest in the university surged this past year, when Chowan reached its highest enrollment ever at 1,100 students. With its 168 faculty and staff members, Chowan’s student to faculty ratio is still 14:1, which maintains the university’s promise of extra attention for students.

Chowan offers a variety of curriculum programs, including graphic communication. This program incorporates the basic print industry with a digital spin. “Our graphic communication program is really outstanding, with state-of-the-art computerization equipment that enables students to conceptualize ideas for books, brochures, posters and take it to the print and production facility we have on campus,” White shares. “Our graduates from this

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program are just craved by the industry. So it’s an unusual program we have that is really good.”

“Now it’s in the best financial place it’s been in its 162year history,” says White. “We were able to finish in the black last year. I think having a clear identity of who we are and what we want to do, and employing people who buy into that philosophy, is what saved us.”

Chowan is also known for its criminal justice program.

“Since 9/11, the whole security, law enforcement thing has exploded and our nation is finding it difficult to fill the demand for security people, so we find students just flocking to that program,” says White proudly.

With 24 years of experience in a presidential role on a college campus, White knows the way to keep a school successful is by constantly improving. Becoming a university and repositioning as a liberal arts school was part of that improvement process. Additionally, White recognized the need for school spirit and the bonding power of college athletics. As a result, Chowan became a Division II school, moving up from its Division III spot in an effort to gain publicity and provide a chance to play larger schools. As part of this upgrade, Chowan became the first historically white university to join the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, a conference of historically African-American institutions.

Historic Changes Despite offering such a plethora of learning options, Chowan has faced tough times. “Right before I came to Chowan, they filed for bankruptcy. I came out of retirement in time to help rescue the school,” White says.

To help the school get back on track, White cut six unfilled positions, but he did not cut salaries or benefits in an effort to keep faculty and staff content. White then set to remake the identity of the school as a small liberal arts university with its strong Christian influence and fostering environment.

Following this historic change, White recognized the need for Chowan to become a more diverse school, which involved expanding methods of content delivery. Therefore, the school began offering an adult evening education

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program in Weldon, N.C. Chowan recently completed the application process to become a master’s institution, and starting this fall will offer those courses – hence, bringing in more money and diversifying the student population at the university.

Although White is still anxious about the basics of “keeping the school alive,” in his words, he continues to focus on implementing the Chowan mission, getting “everyone energized for our goals and not deviating from them.” This has included strengthening the school both philosophically and physically. Reflecting on how far the school has come in such a short time, White proudly notes, “I inherited a campus that was having issues, and over the last five to

COMPANY AT A GLANCE Established : 1848 President : Dr. Martin Christopher White Annual Operating Budget : $27 million Employees : 168

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six years we put in about $10 million of upgrades to the campus.”

including a new football center. The major thing we’ve done is kept the campus upgraded,” White says.

The most significant upgrade is the McDowell Columns Building, which was originally built in the 1850s. “The

With Chowan hitting its stride, White hopes the school will continue with modest growth (about 25 to 35 students per year) and enhance its budding masters programs. “That’s where the future possibilities are. If we don’t grow, we fall apart. We have to grow,” White says.

With a bright future on the school’s horizon, White will continue to lead Chowan further away from its past burdens and further into its present state as a competitive university, both academically and athletically.

By acknowledging the worth of the school’s employees and what students need to succeed, Chowan University has been propelled toward exceeding its potential as a small liberal arts university.•

outside and inside have been completely redone. Now there are several other projects we’re raising money for,

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Chowan University One University Place Murfreesboro, NC 27855 United States

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