MURFREESBORO – It’s official as of tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 1).

Chowan College officially becomes Chowan University on September 1. This comes following an April 6 meeting of the college’s Board of Trustees where they unanimously approved the Executive Committees recommendation to change the name of the institution to Chowan University.

This change reflects what Chowan President Chris White has deemed a “remarkable resurgence” with its storied past that traces to mid-1800s rural North Carolina and its notable Baptist founder, Dr. Godwin Cotton Moore.

The ‘remarkable resurgence’ that has occurred at Chowan University is credited to several key accomplishments. The institution now boast record enrollments, record gifts, a 50 percent increase in endowment in three years, significant campus improvements already underway or planned for the near future, a reclassification of the athletic program to NCAA II and a significant commitment to the importance of spiritual issues on campus. In the near future Chowan will begin offering off-campus classes at various locations as well as graduate programs.

Following the university announcement, the academic program was restructured. President White promoted and appointed three academic administrators that created the Office of the Provost. Those named to this position are Dr. Danny Moore, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Dr. Larry Frazier and Dr. Kirk Peterson as Assistant Deans of Academic Affairs.

An Academic Council was also created to provide academic vision and leadership to advance and support excellence in teaching, learning and service at Chowan University. Members include the Office of the Provost; Dr. Andrea Eason, Dean, School of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Kirk Peterson, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs/Dean, School of Education; and Dorothy Wallace, Acting Dean, School of Business.

“While the official legal date of the name change will be September 1, in many ways this beloved institution became a University on April 6,” stated Dr. White.

A celebration of events has been scheduled for September 7-10, which is in conjunction with the Hawks first home football game. For more information, visit www.chowan.edu.