Chowan University

Chowan University is a small private Baptist university of about 1500 students in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. Although the university is affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, it accepts students of all backgrounds. It is the second-oldest Baptist school in North Carolina. The university offers Associate, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees in 70 academic disciplines and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

History
Chowan was founded by Dr. Godwin Cotton Moore in 1848 as Chowan Baptist Female Institute, a four-year women's college. It traces its roots to the Hertford Academy. The McDowell Columns building, which houses the administrative offices of the college, was constructed in 1851. Between 1850-1867, the school changed names to the Chowan Female Collegiate Institute, then switched back to the Chowan Baptist Female Institute.



The school was renamed Chowan College in 1910 when it began awarding baccalaureate degrees, and began admitting male students in 1931. Financial strain from the effects of the Great Depression forced the school to become a two-year institution in 1937. In 1992 the college returned to four-year status when it admitted a junior class. The school's Board of Trustees elected to officially change the name to Chowan University on April 6, 2006, and the change in status took place on September 1, 2006.

Academics
Over 70 academic programs, an honors college, study abroad, research opportunities, internships. Many of Chowan's programs are nationally accredited, and Chowan University was featured in US News and World Report.

An academic assistance program and tutoring center provide academic assistance for the entire student population. Student tutors and the academic assistance team work one-on-one with students.

The school currently averages a student-to-faculty ratio of 30:1 with the majority of that faculty holding doctorates in their respective fields from premier institutions.

Athletics
Chowan changed affiliation to the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) Division II and was formerly also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association. Chowan previously competed in the USA South Athletic Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III. The school's original mascot, adopted in the 1940s, was the Braves; but due to NCAA policy on Native American mascots, the school changed its mascot in 2006 to the Hawks.

Chowan University has the following athletic teams: 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, Men's and Women's Swimming and Cheerleading.

Other notable former students

 * Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, confessed planner of the September 11 attacks. Mohammed transferred to NC A&T after only one semester.

Rob McDonald, inventor of custom fashionable and functional safety eyewear. After a short but successful run, McDonald invented a line of home mechanics tools and equipment branded as “Creeper Moves”. The business was sold to foreign investors in 2007.