Whether assisting with campus tours, greeting guests at convocations, or participating in events throughout Murfreesboro, Presidential Ambassadors bring Chowan鈥檚 values to life. More than just event volunteers, they are living examples of leadership, character, and service. In many ways, they serve as ambassadors for President Dr. Rosemary Thomas herself, representing the university鈥檚 mission with pride and purpose.

The 2024-2025 Presidential Ambassadors include:

Seniors 鈥� Trevon Abraham, Natasha Bailey, Elizabeth Heller, Haley Jensen, Marie Kaissieh, Da鈥橵eion Pittman, Sreshta Puducheri, Sarai Sanders, Abigail Sutton

Juniors 鈥� Gabriel Espiritu, Andrew Garrison

Sophomores 鈥� Bryan Martinez, Lenita Bryson, Blake Tutman

For many Ambassadors, the experience is both rewarding and transformative. Senior Marie Kaissieh from Palestine recalls, 鈥淢y favorite event was the Homecoming Game. I loved serving alumni and helping set up everything before and after. It felt good to help and be part of such an awesome event.鈥�

Beyond campus, the Ambassadors also connect with the local community. Senior Trevon Abraham, who has served for three years, reflects on attending Town Council Meetings. 鈥淪ometimes we are asked to speak. It鈥檚 a chance to show how Chowan students are involved and invested in the community.鈥�

Recruitment events are another important part of the Ambassadors鈥� work. From scholarship luncheons to athletic banquets and Board of Trustees meetings, these students help guests feel welcome and engaged. 

Senior Haley Jensen reflects on her time as an Ambassador with deep gratitude. 鈥淚 have absolutely loved the opportunity to work closely with our amazing president and my fellow ambassadors. My favorite part was working for President Thomas鈥檚 inauguration. I鈥檝e learned how to be better prepared and dedicated to important events, and how to make the best of any situation.鈥�

Their service does not go unnoticed. Tina Ashley, Administrative Assistant to the Office of the President, shares, 鈥淭he Presidential Ambassadors are a special group of students to me. Their willingness to help with the President鈥檚 events is truly appreciated.鈥�

As they guide guests, attend events, and serve with enthusiasm, Chowan鈥檚 Presidential Ambassadors continue to exemplify leadership through connection鈥攑roof that the Chowan legacy of service and scholarship remains strong.

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Greetings!

As I think back on the past 100 days, I am humbled to have been given this opportunity to serve as your president. The people I have met, the places I have been, the understanding I continue to gain鈥� are constant reminders that perhaps I was indeed made for a time such as this. How truly blessed I am to now call 100 Jones Drive my home and the people of 麻豆视频, my family. 

While I hesitate to name names since so many of you have been kind and generous with your words and thoughtfulness鈥� it seems appropriate to convey the meaning behind the precious gift I was given by Dr. Jill Awuni on that very first night in the chapel. It was placed in my office the next day and has been a visual symbol of my responsibilities as a leader. It is a statue of a human hand holding an egg. The symbol of the egg in the hand depicts the Asante Proverb that suggests powerful leaders must be both firm and prudent. Coupled with my faith in God, I will say this has given me both comfort and pause throughout the last three months, and I will not abandon this notion moving forward. 

I have held tight, but hopefully not too tight, to the ways of this amazing institution. I know we are a university that is changing, but we have values and traditions that we will not abandon. I enjoyed getting to know so many of the seniors and was honored to confer their degrees at graduation. The time between arriving in March and that special day in May included so much of what makes Chowan special. The research presentations, honor society and recognition ceremonies, sporting events, recitals and art shows were amazing to behold. The interactions with our campus ministries are difficult to put into words. Witnessing professions of faith and baptisms during student-led services has been awe-inspiring, to say the least. I cannot wait to be even more engaged with the entire student body going forward.  

Back to the fragility of that egg 鈥� I also cannot hold it too loosely, or it may fall and break. This has been the intent with close evaluation of our enrollment challenges that so many of you have stepped up to try to help address. We have all been on the phones, sending messages, meeting with families, and doing all we can to regain the numbers we need and want. I have been working with administrators, trustees, and financial institutions to strengthen our financial position so that it might mirror the true strength of 麻豆视频 which is demonstrated through faculty and staff alike. I am grateful for your patience as we have had to change course even in these first 100 days 鈥� to ensure we gather those who are most intent on seeing Chowan succeed by giving her their very best. 

From the very first day in an office filled with flowers and a welcome concert gifted to me by the International Student Club, I have felt embraced by the campus, the community, and the associations. As a single woman, some have asked if I feel alone on this journey. I would say that thought has never even crossed my mind. Thank you not only for welcoming me with open arms but also thank you for your engagement with new members of the leadership team who have already made this their home. With more changes on the horizon, I thank you in advance for your input and fortitude. We are all in this together, and while we may not know the plans God has for us, we find comfort in the fact that He does.

Chowan鈥檚 Board of Trustees is a group that has boundless dedication to the institution, and we are blessed by their commitment. It has been my pleasure to work with the board leadership as well as the board members on countless projects right out of the gate. Several have been part of the transition team that has provided me with helpful insight and perspective. Others have led the charge with financial support at all levels. Still, others have been relentless in their efforts to make sure I have opportunities to meet and interact with future donors, granting agencies, policy makers and more. For those who have taken the time to meet with me while I have been traveling 鈥� special thanks for your time and hospitality along the way. 

Travels to NCICU, SACSCOC and Conference Carolinas meetings have only reinforced my perceived value and respect Chowan has within the higher education community. It has been a privilege to engage regionally and nationally with media outlets, participate in podcasts, give interviews about who we are as an institution, join classes on tours of areas businesses, and so much more. 

Many days have been filled with project evaluations and partnership meetings. The work in the Hawks Nest continues to move forward and I am pleased to report that we have secured a grant from The Cannon Foundation to advance that project even more quickly and completely than perhaps was expected. We simply must deliver on this promise to the campus. Special thanks to Dr. Chuck Taylor for his work in making sure that project moved forward. Additionally, I have connected with local, regional, and national leadership of both ARAMARK and Pioneer to ensure the expectations are clear going forward. We have some work to do in the dining hall before the students return and we hope you will see the value added right away. 

Looking toward the fall, my inauguration is set for October 18^th, and the theme for the event will be to further define and reveal what I have identified as 鈥淧lans to Prosper.鈥� As you know, this is from Jeremiah 29:11, which guides so much of what I try to do as a servant leader. The evolution of FAITH. FAMILY. FUTURE. has been a natural progression from words of the past and unwavering ideals. 

Conversations are ongoing to enhance mental health services, improve campus safety, launch a Hometown University marketing campaign, expand academic offerings to targeted populations, and quickly repurpose several spaces on the front of the campus to restore the vibrancy of Squirrel Park. None of this would be possible without the dedication and commitment of our devoted faculty and staff. Thank you! 

The Five Stones of David (Faith – Trust – Courage – Obedience – Praise) Reverand Mari Wiles subtly placed on my desk prior to my arrival have proven invaluable day in and day out. I have held them, rubbed them, and prayed with them. I am not sitting still; there is no time for that. I am not keeping silent; there is no need for that. I am preparing for the future of 麻豆视频. We have a story to tell about who we are, what we have to offer, and how we know there are Plans for US to Prosper TOGETHER! 

With faith in our future,

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The selection process for the Excellence in Teaching Award involves a comprehensive evaluation of various factors. These include the recipient’s unwavering dedication to the teaching profession, their commitment to nurturing and guiding students, their effectiveness as an educator, their continuous professional growth, their accessibility to students, their active involvement in extracurricular activities at the university, and their harmonious relationships with colleagues and partners.

Dr. Taylor, a Distinguished Professor of History, has been an integral part of 麻豆视频 since 2006, dedicating eighteen years to shaping the minds of students. This is not the first time he has been recognized for his exceptional teaching abilities, as he previously received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014. His commitment to education has also been acknowledged through various other honors, including the McDowell Columns Scholar Award in 2011 and 2021, the Alpha Chi Teacher of the Year Award in 2008, and the title of Distinguished Professor in 2018.

Beyond his remarkable teaching career, Dr. Taylor has made significant contributions to the field of historical research. He has authored five books, each shedding light on different aspects of North Carolina’s history. Notably, his latest work, Central Prison: A History of North Carolina’s State Penitentiary, published in 2021, received the prestigious 2021 Ragan Old North State Award for Nonfiction. This recognition, presented by the North Carolina Literary and Historical Society, honors the best nonfiction work about the state.

Dr. Taylor’s current research focuses on the International Labor Defense (ILD) and its impact on American society. Through his exploration of the ILD, he uncovers the organization’s role in defending Communist Party leaders, activists, and other individuals supported by the CPUSA. Notably, the ILD’s efforts led to landmark Supreme Court cases that expanded the fundamental freedoms protected by the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Gregory Taylor stated, “I am deeply honored to be so recognized by my colleagues on the 麻豆视频 faculty. Their acknowledgment means more to me than I can say, and I will be forever grateful.”

麻豆视频 takes pride in honoring Dr. Gregory Taylor for his outstanding contributions to teaching and research. His dedication and passion have left an indelible mark on the university and its students, inspiring future generations of scholars.

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A highlight of the ceremony included the recognition of Charles 鈥淐huck鈥� Taylor as he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree. Having served as the Interim President of 麻豆视频, the dedication and service shown to 麻豆视频 over the past year was enough to award him the coveted Spirit of Chowan Award. Being able to show the appreciation of his dedicated service once more was an honor the university was proud to bestow. 

Dauquann Capers, Patrick Krack, Erica Mock, Colin Riddick, and Kashara Simpson were the esteemed speakers for the graduation ceremony. Each speaker took the opportunity to reflect on their time at 麻豆视频 and share how the institution had positively impacted their life.

Daquann Capers, who majored in business, was able to reflect on the opportunities that Chowan gave him to find his place in the world, both at 麻豆视频 and beyond. 鈥淭o my fellow graduates,鈥� Capers addressed,  鈥淚 hope you depart Chowan with memorable experiences. As you depart campus today, remember that it is the beginning. Now, go forward and do better.鈥�

Erica Mock, history major, spoke about how finding a home at Chowan was part of God鈥檚 plan. 鈥淪ome people may think it is just an odd coincidence that all of us just happened to continue our education at 麻豆视频 at this specific time鈥ut I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 a coincidence. It鈥檚 a blessing from God, and ultimately the perfect plan that He has crafted for each and everyone in this center.鈥�

Exercise science major Colin Riddick, spoke about how Chowan helped him grow into his own faith, especially as he struggled to find an identity for himself off of the baseball field.  鈥淭he real world sounds scary. But God has a plan for all of us. Put your faith in Him in both the good and bad situations, and you won鈥檛 have to be scared.鈥�

Kashara Simpson, who also majored in exercise science, shared the journey that Chowan took her on both on and off the campus – all the way to West Virginia, after she questioned whether Chowan was the place for her or not. Even after transferring, she felt called to return to Chowan, where she was able to find her place as a student, an athlete, and a worker in the Office of Admissions and Athletics.  鈥淚 share all of this with you to say that all of the experiences we鈥檝e had at Chowan were by no mistake and are a part of our story. The Chowan experience is something I鈥檓 proud of and you should be too. It is up to us to embrace it and know that today marks a milestone for us.鈥�

The final speaker was Patrick Krack, a graduate of the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. 鈥淣o matter the uncertainty or battles we face in our lives, Class of 2024, we have an all-powerful God is present in every one of our battles and bigger than any struggle and trial we will ever face,鈥� he said passionately. 鈥淭herefore, I challenge you all to find that source of certainty, truth, and hope because it will bring you an unexplainable peace in the chapters of life yet to come and change your place in eternity.鈥�

After the speeches were made, Jayla K. -L. Parker, a music major, performed a Solo rendition of “The Lord鈥檚 Prayer”, written by Albert Hay Malotte. Parker was accompanied by Prof. Suzanne Daniel on piano. 

During the ceremony, the recipients of the Senior Scholastic Awards were announced. Erica Mock, Logan Jeffrey, Bailey Wilcox, and Olivia Wheeler were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. 

Additionally, Professor Gregory S. Taylor was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award, an award recognizing his exceptional contributions to the university’s educational mission. The recipient of this award is chosen by his or her colleagues on the faculty of the University.

Bailey Wilcox and Martha Ledford were the Gonfaloniers for Undergraduate Studies and Graduate Studies, respectively, acknowledging their exemplary leadership and academic accomplishments.

The junior Commencement Marshalls, including Haydon Ahlers, Cameryn Barrow, Alexandra Bishop, Caryn Bowe, Zachary Boyd, Carson Everette, Elizabeth Heller, Rowan Hudson, Aaron James, Megan Roberts, Kayleigh Roberts, Carrington Williams, and Ronaldo Williams, were also present to support the graduating class.

麻豆视频 extends heartfelt congratulations to the 165th graduating class, commending their dedication and perseverance. The university takes immense pride in their accomplishments and wishes them success in their future endeavors.

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Employees who have dedicated five years of service to 麻豆视频 were acknowledged during the event. Among them were Dr. Kyung-Hoon Lee, Dejuan Lee, Joshua Seese, Leon Eason and Timothy Formica. These individuals have demonstrated their commitment to the university and have played a vital role in its growth.

The celebration also extended to those who have been part of the Chowan community for a decade. Dr. Timothy Hayes, Dr. Alan Scott, Michael Ordnung, Dr. Pamela Woodard, and Christopher Whalley were recognized for their ten years of service. Their continued dedication and expertise have greatly contributed to the university’s success.

麻豆视频 proudly celebrated the remarkable milestone of twenty years of service for Patrick Mashuda and Lisa Bland, and Meredith Long was celebrated as she was inducted into 鈥淟ux et Veritas鈥�, which is for those who have served 25 years. These individuals have been instrumental in shaping the university’s culture and have made a lasting impact on the Chowan community.

Dr. Danny Moore, a true pillar of the university, was honored for his remarkable thirty years of service. His unwavering commitment and dedication have left an indelible mark on 麻豆视频.

The event also served as an opportunity to bid farewell to five retiring employees who have dedicated their careers to Chowan. James Hammond, Dr. Audrey Griffin, Thomas Eisenmenger, Syble Shellito, and John Tayloe were recognized for their invaluable contributions and will be greatly missed.

During the Employee Appreciation and Recognition Day, two outstanding employees were awarded the prestigious Employee of the Year title. Elizabeth Cox, the university’s database administrator, received the first award. Cox has been with Chowan since 2011 and consistently goes above and beyond her responsibilities. Her exceptional customer service skills and willingness to assist others make her an invaluable asset to the university.

The second Employee of the Year award was presented to Coach Christopher Whalley, a beloved figure within the Chowan community. Known for his coaching prowess, Whalley’s impact extends far beyond the field. He serves as a mentor to his players and peers, actively engages with the community, and embodies the mission of 麻豆视频. He has also led the men鈥檚 soccer team to two division championships. 

Elizabeth Hedrick, Associate VP for Human Resources at 麻豆视频, expressed her gratitude for the dedicated employees, stating, “We can’t do what we do without our people, and our people are what truly sets Chowan apart! Our celebration on Friday is just one day of us coming together and celebrating each other and being thankful for all that everyone does!”

麻豆视频 continues to thrive thanks to the unwavering commitment and dedication of its exceptional faculty and staff. The Employee Appreciation and Recognition Day serves as a reminder of the university’s gratitude for their invaluable contributions.

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