Chowan University

Nestled in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, Chowan University offers a distinctive educational journey steeped in a rich and evolving history. Founded in 1848 by Godwin Cotton Moore as the Chowan Baptist Female Institute, it began as a pioneering four-year women's college, laying its foundations on land historically inhabited by the Chowanoke tribe. The iconic McDowell Columns building, central to its administrative life, has stood since 1851, witnessing the institution's remarkable transformation.

Over the decades, Chowan demonstrated incredible resilience and adaptability. It transitioned to Chowan College in 1910, marking its commitment to baccalaureate degrees, and courageously opened its doors to male students in 1931. Despite the financial strains of the Great Depression forcing a temporary shift to a two-year institution in 1937, Chowan steadfastly regained its four-year status in 1992, culminating in its official rebranding as Chowan University in 2006.

The university's journey also reflects its pursuit of academic freedom, gaining autonomy from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina in 2009 while maintaining a cooperative relationship. With a vibrant community of 886 students, Chowan upholds its motto "Lux et Veritas" (Light and Truth). In a landmark moment for the university, Rosemary M. Thomas was named its 24th president in late 2023, becoming the first woman to lead the institution, starting her tenure in March 2024. Chowan continues to be a private university dedicated to its students' growth and success.