Chowan University, a small Baptist school in northeastern North Carolina, is experiencing a revival on more fronts than one. 
Since taking office as interim president in 2003 -- and being named permanent president in 2004 -- Chris White has led the school to a position of financial strength and increased enrollments. Instead of recruiting only the brightest students, Chowan embraces its focus on "students of promise," to borrow White's words, average students who can mature and grow into successful people.
Chowan has also ramped up efforts to promote the school as a Christian environment for education. A group called the Chowan Christian Service Organization was formed to provide scholarships to students who feel called into ministry, and some of those students are making a difference on campus.
In addition to minister to the university Mari Wiles, Chowan recently hired Craig and Jennifer Janney to serve as associate campus ministers.
Faith is promoted as integral to the enterprise. Faculty and others have been urged to pray for the school (that's J Brabban, chair of the religion department, in the photo).
When a student came to Wiles before the semester began and wanted help organizing a prayer meeting for students, she helped him put together a midnight meeting in "Squirrel Park," a central green space with many large trees.
My understanding is that the prayer meetings have continued, and a spiritual awakening is blossoming in a variety of ways.
The revival, alas, has been too much for at least one student. While I was on campus for a recent visit, vice-president for development John Tayloe told me a student had come in to indicate that he was withdrawing from school. "There's just too much Jesus talk and too much praying on this campus," he said.
Colleges don't like losing students, but Chowan takes pride in being a place where both Jesus and prayer are ubiquitous. The school's new marketing slogan is "Faith in your future." Stories like this give cause for faith in Chowan's future, as well.
7 comments:
I am glad to see Dr. White doing for Chowan what he did for Gardner-Webb. I think that Chowan can be a great influence for that part of NC.
It is also good to see that campus revivals are not limited to more conservative campuses.
I didn't know Dr. White had influenced GWU. As a 1998 graduate, I loved it.
Lest one thinketh I am more than I am, I only got a Bus. Admin. degree, nothing in the Divinity line. I would love to study that.
What I learned from my Old Testament and New Testament classes was thrilling, like a two hour preaching session instead of the usual 20 min. It was wonderful, being able to discuss all those points, too.
I've got a marketing slogan for ya. "Come in and get your faith lifted."
It was seen on a sign at Friendship Methodist Church in Newton recently.
College students are in a growing phase of thought and faith. I see no problem with prayer on campus. If it is just a big show, students will learn to differentiate between that which is real and that which is an empty drama.
Why do we all shy away from things which range outside tradition? It looks like a college campus would be the very place for openess to growth and change. The college faculty and staff should be mature enough to guide youth seeking a deeper understanding ot things.
Let's hope Chowan can add a dimension to Eastern NC which will impact coastal NC & VA. Remember, one of the 9/11 killers was a student there at one time. If it should happen again, at least there is a chance for a change in outlook before lives are taken from a crazy faith outlook.
Gene Scarborough
I'm not sure what "too much Jesus" means, unless the student is referring to a change in classroom demeanor and academic expectations.
Unless the shift is toward becoming a Bible college, I don't see the issue.
I think Christian colleges and universities can maintain academic freedom and encourage spiritual formation among its students.
I hope no one thought I was implying that the emerging revival at Chowan is a bad thing: some wonderful things are happening there, and we're planning a future article that will highlight them more fully. Although one departing student thought there was "too much Jesus," school leaders took it as a compliment, and I would, too.
Brad Pitt, raised SBC in Mo.; said yesterday in a profile in Parade Mag: " I had a crisis of faith. I thought you had to experience things if you want to know right from wrong. I'd go to Christian revivals and be moved by the Holy Spirit, and I'd go to rock concerts and feel the same fervor. Then I'd be told, you can't partake in that, that's the Devil's music. I wanted to experience things religion said not to experience."
Mark Kemp has written a book roughly about Brad's dilemma titled Dixie Lullaby.
Chowan University is a shining star for North Carolina Baptists. "Faith in Your Future" is the tagline and it is real.
I believe the student was referring to the fact all campus events begin with prayer and yes one of the events opening the semester was a campus-wide worship service. Additionally, Chowan does require weekly Chapel (Perspectives)on Wednesday of each week.
Students choosing Chowan will recognize that we are an institution of faith. It is not hidden in any way. Chowan is fortunate to not only have a Minister to the University, Rev. Mari Wiles, but two Associate Ministers as well, Craig Janney and Jenny Janney.
We care about all of our students and certainly don't want to loose a single one. We are also true to who we are....Christian in the Baptist tradition of faith. For this we are proud.
Dr. Chris White, President, recognized upon arrival Chowan was poised to achieved far more than ever thought possible. His vision, inspired by his personal faith, has made it possible for Chowan's identity to become crystal clear.
We are eternally greatful for his leadership and belief in Chowan University.
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