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By Catherine Vickers

University Relations

MURFREESBORO – Chowan University announces its Distinguished Alumni and Community Service recipients for 2024.

James Elliott Moore, Angie Felton Salernoo, Nicola J. Khoury, Christopher J. Moore and Vaughn Edward Byrd will be honored as Distinguished Alumni. Grace Graham Brown, Alton W. Parker, Jr. and Mark Elton Parker are Outstanding Community Service recipients.

All were honored during Homecoming weekend on Friday, Sept. 27 at a celebratory reception and dinner for lives dedicated to making a difference on behalf of others.

J. Moore is passionate about historic preservation. He is a life member of the Murfreesboro Historical Association where he is currently serving as president. He endowed the John Wheeler House in 2016 and supervises their fourteen historic properties. He was appointed by the Governor of North Carolina as a member of the Historic Murfreesboro Commission.

Salerno was named Tidewater VAEA Elementary Art Educator and Virginia Elementary Art Educator of the Year in 2021. She has been employed by Suffolk Public Schools for the past 30 years. While at Chowan she was awarded the esteemed Order of the Silver Feather.

Khoury is currently Director of Development for Scholarships and Student Aid at UNC Chapel Hill where he has raised over $17 million in private support earning him the Best Newcomer Fundraiser Award among over 400 staff members. He began his journey with a bachelor’s in accounting and management from Chowan University and an MBA from UNC Pembroke. He co-led the admissions office at Chowan University, later making significant accomplishments working with the development team.

C. Moore is serving as the first Director of Athletics at Virginia Peninsula Community College in Hampton, VA as well as head men’s basketball coach. In the 2021-22 season, he led the Gators to a 16-1 record which culminated in the program’s New South Athletic Conference Championship. Coach Moore was named New South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and the Small College Sports Coach of the Year. He is a 2014 Cum Laude graduate of Chowan University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education.

Byrd graduated from Chowan in 2016 with a B.S. in Music Education. While at Chowan, Byrd was a recipient of “Who’s Who? In American Colleges and Universities”. He was active in the Ministry both on the campus and First Baptist Church of Murfreesboro where he played the organ. He is a music teacher with D.C. Public Schools; his students have performed at The Kennedy Center, and for Vice President Kamala Harris. He is serving as the Minister of Music for Mount Olive Baptist Church.

Brown was named a member of Chowan University’s Board of Trustees in 2023.Her dedication to preserving history, professional accomplishments and passion for community engagement make her a valuable addition to Chowan’s leadership team. She currently resides in Palm Beach, Florida.

A. Parker generously volunteers his marketing talents with the Murfreesboro Historical Association and Chowan University. He and his brother Mark have established the Parker Family Music Scholarship. Alton Parker has enjoyed a successful career in the entertainment industry.

M. Parker currently works as an Information Technical Specialist at Atos North America. He shares his talents, particularly his computer skills with Chowan University; He and Al have created videos that are often seen promoting Chowan’s annual Giving Days.