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MURFREESBORO – They represent the best of Chowan University’s past and offer hope that others can and will follow in their footsteps.

Five former student-athletes took their rightful place in the Chowan University / Jim Garrison Sports Hall of Fame during the 38^th annual banquet and induction ceremony held here Nov. 9 at the J.M. Jenkins Center.

Allie Kolezynski Dewitt (Softball; 2008-2012), Ransheda Jennings (Women’s Basketball; 2008-2012), Michael Kellett (Baseball; 2004-2007), Melvin Rogers (Football; 2006-2011), and Michelle Mitchell Williams (Softball / Women’s Basketball; 1993-1998) were each presented with their Hall of Fame plaques and rings at the ceremony.

“We are here to celebrate with you, to celebrate for you, and to celebrate because of you,” said Chowan President Dr. Rosemary Thomas in her remarks to the new inductees. “You made the decision to choose Chowan and we celebrate your accomplishments and the mark you left on this university.”

As a softball standout, Dewitt an Ohio native, led the team to three consecutive CIAA Northern Division titles and the program’s first CIAA championship. She was a three-time All-CIAA selection, three-time CIAA Commissioner’s All-Academic Team honoree, two-time NCCSIA All-State selection, and an NCCAA All-American.

Dewitt racked up a career batting average of .372 and owns two DII-era program records with 252 career hits and 105 career stolen bases. As a pitcher, she owns 39 career wins and 338 strikeouts and posted an unblemished 17-0 record on the mound against league opponents, including one no-hitter.

Following graduation, Dewitt spent four years as Assistant Athletics Director/Director of Athletics Communications at Chowan. She currently serves as Senior Associate Commissioner for the Mountain East Conference.

She remembered her first collegiate game (fall ball) at Louisburg College where she surrendered a long homerun followed by a succession of hits and runs. It marked the most miserable game of her career, but one that built her character and taught her how to be humble, in victory and in defeat.

“Life has humbled me any more times since then,” Dewitt said. “I now stand here, humbled by my selection into the Hall of Fame with such great athletes.”

She thanked her Chowan teammates, faculty members, and coaches for allowing her to grow athletically and academically.

Dewitt offered praise for her husband, son, parents, and other family members.

“This [Hall of Fame] plaque needs to have more names on it other than mine,” she stressed.

“Chowan has done so much for me and I can never, ever repay that,” Dewitt added. “I would not be the person I am today without the help and support of so many people along the way. Thank you so much for this incredible honor.”

Jennings, a native of Suffolk, VA, ranks third all-time in Chowan women’s basketball with 1,281 career points. A two-time All-CIAA selection, Jennings averaged just under 13 points an outing, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 2.2 assists per game over her four seasons for the Hawks.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Jennings maintained academic excellence, earning spots on both the Dean’s List and President’s List, and graduating with cum laude honors.

Following graduation, Jennings enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 2013, embarking on a distinguished military career that has seen her serve as a Platoon Sergeant, a Drill

Sergeant, and was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Atlantic Resolve.

“It’s so great to come back to Chowan and see so many familiar faces,” Jennings said. “I’m so grateful for all those who supported me while at Chowan…there are so many here that made big impacts on my life.

“Basketball was more than a game to me,” Jennings continued. “It instilled values that I still carry today…resiliency, camaraderie, teamwork, hard work….all of these values have shaped my life, personally and professionally.”

Jennings thanked her Chowan coaches for pushing her beyond her limits.

“[My coaches] just didn’t teach me how to play the game, but also how to grow as an individual,” Jennings said. “With my teammates, we built some unforgettable memories. We celebrated victories; we learned from hard losses.”

She thanked her family for, “cheering me on and being my rock,” adding that her mom, “is the true Hall of Famer in my life. You sacrificed your needs to make sure I had what I needed.”

As an Army instructor, Jennings said she had the opportunity to mentor others so they could become leaders.

“Just as my coaches and others at Chowan mentored me athletically and academically, I had the chance to give back and share the values I learned here. My foundation for my professional life was built here at Chowan and I am forever grateful. This [Hall of Fame] honor is something I’ll always carry with tremendous pride,” she concluded.

Kellett, a native of Huntersville, tallied a career .376 career batting average, ranking him second all-time at Chowan. He also ranks second in all-time on-base percentage (.469).

During his three years at Chowan, Kellett twice earned All-NCCAA South Region honors and was a two-time NCCAA All-American. He was the NCCAA National Player of the Week (during the 2005 season), and received the NCCAA Scholar-Athlete Award (2007).

As a Criminal Justice major, Kellett, after graduation, was sworn as an Ahoskie Police officer in February 2008.

“I thank God for giving me the ability to play baseball,” Kellett said.

He thanked his mother and father for all their support.

“They gave up their time and their money, sacrificed their lives for me, my brother and my sister,” he said.

“I made a lot of good friends for life while I was at Chowan,” he added. “I loved every minute of my time here. I made the best of Chowan and Chowan made the best of me. I’m proud of that.

“Thank you so much for this honor and putting me in the Hall of Fame. It means a lot to me,” he closed.

Rogers, a native of Northampton County, chose to remain close to home for his collegiate career. At Chowan he was a two-time All-CIAA performer as an offensive lineman (2009-2010). His picture hangs in the Pond Center as he was the first-ever Chowan offensive lineman to earn All-CIAA honors.

After graduating with a degree in Physical Education, Rogers coached locally at both Gates County High School and Northampton County High School. Following that coaching stint, Rogers decided to pursue a career in truck driving and now owns a trucking business.

“College life took some time to make the adjustment. Between football and classwork, it seemed as though I didn’t have enough time to get things done, but with the help of my teammates, I was able to settle in and get things rolling,” Rogers said.

He added that he made numerous friends over the course of the time he spent at Chowan.

“Meeting people from different backgrounds really helped me to understand that everybody is not the same,” Rogers noted.

Rogers thanked all the coaches at Chowan who helped steer him in the right direction.

“They pushed me and held me accountable,” he recalled.

Rogers added that the values he learned at Chowan, particularly time management and critical thinking, help him now in his daily routine.

“To all my family, I thank you guys for everything. You were my main players,” he closed.

Williams, a native of Rapphannock, VA, excelled at three sports while at Chowan. She was the starting catcher on the softball team, a shooting guard on the basketball team, and a middle blocker on the volleyball team. But it was softball where she made the biggest impact as she was part of the most successful team in program history (1995) when the then-Braves posted a 36-9 overall record. Now counting Williams, that team boasts of five Hall of Fame members.

Williams was known for her smart pitch calling, arm accuracy, and blocking skills behind the plate. In the batter’s box she hit at a .357 clip over 142 career games.

Williams is currently employed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development’s Business Center.

“I’m truly humbled and honored as an inductee into the Chowan University Sports Hall of Fame,” Williams said. “Thank you to my family for your support throughout my life. Thank you to the countless coaches, teachers, professors, advisors, and fellow teammates, mentors, friends, colleagues and others who helped encourage, support, and love me unconditionally.”

Williams paid honor to the now late Janet Collins, a former Chowan coach who blazed the trail for the growth of women’s sports offerings at the university.

“The reason I chose Chowan was because I was recruited by coach Jack Goldberg,” Williams said. “He attended almost every one of my home softball games during my senior year in high school. His insistence and infectious personality and love for the game instantly won me over. He believed in me.”

Goldberg died in June of this year, just a few short weeks prior to Williams learning she was going to be a member of the 2024 Hall of Fame class.

“I know coach Goldberg is smiling down from heaven,” she said. “If he were here today, I would thank him for making me better and helping to shape the woman, daughter, mother, sister, aunt, wife, friend, and public servant that I am today.”

Williams added that the lessons learned as a college student-athlete have remained entrenched in her life. She credited other well-known female athletes that inspired her as well as the Chowan athletic department and the university’s faculty and staff for their commitment to excellence.

“Being inducted into the Chowan Sports Hall of Fame just isn’t about me, it’s about all those whose unwavering support helped me to get here. I’m proud to be part of the Chowan family,” she concluded.

Patrick Mashuda, Chowan’s Director of Athletics, closed out the ceremony.

“It’s days like this that resonate with me about who Chowan is, who Chowan was, and who Chowan will be in the future,” he said. “I’m proud to be a part of an institution that celebrates the successes of those in and out of the classroom as much as we do here. Each and every one of our new inductees tonight mentioned the people that helped them get here and then helped them succeed while they were here. That’s a testament to everybody in this room tonight.”