Chowan University
Overview of Chowan University
Chowan University is a private Christian liberal arts institution located in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. The university provides a wide range of academic programs, offering associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees across 70 disciplines. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
History
Founded by Godwin Cotton Moore in 1848, Chowan University began as the Chowan Baptist Female Institute, a four-year women’s college. Its origins can be traced back to the Hertford Academy. The McDowell Columns building, which currently houses the university’s administrative offices, was constructed in 1851. Over the years, the institution underwent several name changes, first becoming the Chowan Female Collegiate Institute and then reverting to the Chowan Baptist Female Institute. The university is named after the Chowanoke tribe, the indigenous people who once inhabited the land where Murfreesboro and Chowan University are now located.
Chowan Female College, 1854
In 1910, the school was renamed Chowan College as it began awarding baccalaureate degrees and started admitting male students in 1931. Due to financial difficulties during the Great Depression, the institution became a two-year college in 1937. It returned to a four-year status in 1992. The name was officially changed to Chowan University on April 6, 2006, with the change taking effect on September 1, 2006.
In 2007, Chowan University, along with four other private North Carolina Christian universities, sought more academic freedom by changing their relationships with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. By 2009, these universities had gained autonomy from the Baptist State Convention and established a cooperative relationship with it.
In December 2023, Rosemary M. Thomas was named as the university’s 24th president and the first woman to hold the position. She is expected to assume office on March 11, 2024.
Accreditation
Chowan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. Additionally, various programs are accredited by state and national agencies.
Athletics
Chowan University competes in the NCAA’s Division II, primarily within Conference Carolinas. The university was previously a member of the USA South Athletic Conference (Division III) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (Division II). The original mascot, the Braves, adopted in the 1940s, was changed to the Hawks in 2006 in compliance with NCAA policies on Native American mascots.
The university offers a wide range of athletic programs, including:
- Women’s Soccer
- Men’s Soccer
- Football
- Volleyball
- Men’s and Women’s Cross Country
- Men’s Basketball
- Women’s Basketball
- Softball
- Baseball
- Men’s and Women’s Golf
- Men’s and Women’s Tennis
- Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse
- Women’s Bowling
- Women’s Acrobatics and Tumbling
- Men’s and Women’s Swimming
- Co-ed Esports
- Cheerleading
1940 picture of Chowan University.
Chowan University provides a holistic educational experience that balances academic rigor with Christian values. The university’s commitment to offering diverse programs and degrees ensures that students can find paths that suit their interests and career goals. The historic campus, marked by its significant buildings like the McDowell Columns, offers a rich sense of tradition and continuity.
Chowan’s transition to a university and its subsequent independence from the Baptist State Convention reflect its progressive approach to education while maintaining strong foundational values. The recent appointment of Rosemary M. Thomas as president signals a forward-thinking leadership poised to guide the institution into the future.
Athletically, Chowan’s transition to NCAA Division II has elevated its sports programs, providing student-athletes with competitive opportunities and fostering school spirit and community engagement.
Overall, Chowan University stands out as a nurturing environment where students can grow academically, spiritually, and socially, preparing them for meaningful careers and lives of service.