Chowan University Athletics

Dr. Bruce G.E. Whitaker, a native of Cleveland County, N.C., was the President of Chowan College from 1957-1989. He was raised on a farm in Mooresboro and graduated from Mooresboro High School in 1940.

Entering Wake Forest College upon graduation from high school, he subsequently earned degrees from Wake Forest (B.A., 1944) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, K.Y. (B.D., 1947; Th.M., 1948; and Ph.D., 1950). He was the recipient of honorary degrees conferred by Campbell University (D.D., 1975) and Wake Forest University (D.L., 1987).

Whitaker served as Pastor, (Smithfield, K.Y., Baptist Church, 1945-50), and as Associate Pastor and Minister of Education, (Druid Hills Baptist Church, Atlanta, G.A., 1953-54), prior to his assumption of the role of State Secretary, Department of Student Work, Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, in September 1954. Meanwhile, he had also exercised his gifts as educator and educational administrator as Instructor (Indiana University Extension Center, Jeffersonville, I.N., 1947-50); Professor of Religion (Belmont College, Nashville, T.N., 1951-52); and Professor of Sociology/Assistant to the President (Shorter  College, Rome, G.A., 1952-53).

Called to succeed Forrest Orion Mixon as President of Chowan College (now University) in March 1957, Dr. Whitaker assumed duties on May 15, 1957, continuing therein until his retirement, which became effective August 2, 1989. Upon retirement he was named President Emeritus.

Whitaker’s accomplishments on behalf of the institution can be measured quantitatively in terms of mushrooming enrollments; a near numerical tripling in faculty personnel, together with equally impressive additions to the requisite corps of administrative staff personnel; construction of new or renovations to older residence halls, academic structures, and other support facilities to accommodate increased enrollments and expanding curricular programs; growth of the endowment funds from a market value of less than $7,000 to one in excess of $5,500,000; and an increase in the University’s total assets from $750,000 to nearly $25,000,000.

The esteem in which he was held within the broader educational community and as a civic-minded citizen of state and nation is at least partially noted through an array of honors, recognitions and responsibilities that have been accorded throughout the course of his professional career.

Dr. Bruce Whitaker is married to Esther Hazel Adams. They have two sons, Barry Eugene Whitaker and Garry Bruce Whitaker, both who have served as trustees of Chowan University.