By Amanda Bradshaw Sharpe
University Relations

MURFREESBORO – Chowan University announced six new Board of Trustee (BOT) members: James “Jimmy” Eason, Michael “Mike” Vance Hendley, Reverend Billy R. Howell, Milton “Mick” Allen Outten, Walter “Walt” Fletcher Pierce, and Lisa Liverman Turner, at a meeting held here Dec. 6.

Eason retired from the Murfreesboro Office of Southern Bank as Senior Vice President and City Executive. Due to his position, he supported the town of Murfreesboro with many projects. He was a long-standing member of the Chowan University Board of Visitors, with more than 20 years of service, including the executive committee. He chaired a subcommittee of the Board of Visitors and is an active Chowan supporter. Eason is a former member of the Murfreesboro Rotary Club and served on the Murfreesboro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He is a leader in Murfreesboro United Methodist Church, holding a position as treasurer.

Hendley, a 1966 Chowan graduate, became a golf club professional member of the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of America after attending Chowan. He earned his bachelor’s degree at North Carolina State University in 1971. He spent 42 years with New York Life Insurance Company, from which he is now retired. Hendley has previous experience on the Chowan University Board of Visitors and supports the athletic department in many endeavors throughout the year. He received the Chowan Distinguished Alumni Award and was inducted into the Jim Garrison Athletic Hall of Fame. Hendley is an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Sanford, NC.

Howell earned his associate degree from Chowan in 1961 followed by his bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University. He attended Southeastern Seminary, earning his Master of Divinity degree. Howell received additional graduate credit from Wichita State University, Governor’s State University, and the University of Minnesota. He served 34 years as a pastor in Virginia, Illinois, and North Carolina, with many bi-vocational pastorates and had an impressive 26-year career as a substance abuse counselor. Howell has served on the Chowan University Board of Visitors and the Board of Ministerial Associates. He also earned the Chowan Distinguished Alumni Award. Hendley is an active member of Dortches Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC.

Captain Outten, United States Navy, retired, graduated from Chowan College as a two-year letterman in Varsity Football in 1971. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the College of William and Mary in 1974 and began his prestigious Naval career in 1976. He received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in 1982, graduated from the Advanced Program Management Course of the Defense Systems Management College in 1988, and completed a master’s degree in Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University in 2003. In 2006, Outten joined the Integrated Defense Systems division of Raytheon Corporation as a systems engineer. He is a faithful supporter of Chowan, previously served on the Chowan University Board of Visitors, and earned the honor of Chowan Distinguished Alumni. He is an active member of First Baptist Church of Ashland, VA.

Pierce graduated from North Carolina State University (NCSU) in 2005 where he earned a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business management and a minor in economics. He is a licensed North Carolina Real Estate Broker, holds a North Carolina Insurance License, and a North Carolina General Contractors License. His current role is that of owner and agent at Boyette & Robertson Insurance Agency. Pierce is a devoted supporter of Chowan and Ridgecroft School. He served on the Chowan University Board of Visitors and transitions from his role of Vice Chair. Pierce is a member of First Baptist Church in Ahoskie.

Turner is a Registered Pharmacist with a degree in pharmacy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the president of Turner Consulting, LLC, and specializes in the management of full discovery/development programs in the pharmaceutical industry. Turner has over twenty years in the industry. She is extensively published having co-authored articles and posters on studies evaluating the effectiveness of pharmaceutical compounds against diseases ranging from Irritable Bowel Syndrome to bacterial pneumonia to MRSA. She served previously on the Chowan University Board of Visitors. Turner is an active member of Murfreesboro Baptist Church.

For more information about Chowan University, visit www.chowan.edu or call 1-888-4-CHOWAN.