J.E. Barker
University Relations

MURFREESBORO, N.C.—At a ceremony in the Chowan Room during Homecoming on Oct. 26, Chowan University honored five graduates: Sarah Virginia Parker, Dr. Jonathan Taylor, Preston McElheney and Maurice Fluitt each received the 2013 Distinguished Alumni and Community Service Award. Margaret DeLoatch was presented the Community Service Award.

Sarah Virginia Parker is a native of Northampton County, near Murfreesboro. She graduated from Chowan College in 1957 with a two-year secretarial diploma. Following a career with General Electric Company in the Apollo Systems group located at Cape Canaveral, Fla., Parker began a 32-year career with the foreign service. With multiple assignments, this career carried her all over the world including the Philippines, Sweden, Hungary, the Dominican Republic, Bulgaria and South Africa, just to name a few. She is retired and lives in her family home. Parker served at Chowan University on the Board of Visitors and is on the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Jonathan H. Taylor is a native of New Bern, N.C. He graduated from Chowan College in 1990 with a pre-medical technology degree, continued his education at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., and received a B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences in 1992. In 2002, Taylor completed the medical doctor degree from East Carolina University School of Medicine. He is a urologist with the Eastern Urological Association in Greenville, and a staff physician at Vidant Medical Center, Department of Surgery. Taylor was recently named a member of Chowan University’s Gallery of Distinguished Alumni.

Charles Preston McElheney III is a native of Roanoke Rapids, N.C. He graduated from Chowan University in 1996 with a bachelor of science degree in business administration. Throughout his career, McElheney has been associated with Halifax Linen Service, his family’s business, in Roanoke Rapids. Rising through the ranks, he has been president since 2004. Active in all areas of the community and region, both professionally and civically, he has received numerous awards, which include the State of North Carolina’s One N.C. Fund for job creation in Halifax County in 2006. McElheney is a member of the Board of Trustees and a former member and chairman of the Board of Visitors.

Maurice B. Fluitt is a native of Washington, D.C. He graduated from Chowan University in 2009 and received a bachelor of science degree in biology. While he was at Chowan, Fluitt was known as “Mr. Chowan” due to his participation in multiple clubs and activities. He served as class president during his senior year, and was also a member of a number of honor societies.

Fluitt is completing his doctoral studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in genetics and human genetics, where he is an AGEP scholar. He also serves as the youth and young adult pastor at Greater Deliverance Church in Capitol Heights, Md. He is a member of Chowan University’s Alumni Council.

Margaret Futrell DeLoatch is the recipient of Chowan University’s Community Service Award. She is a native of Murfreesboro and was a member of Chowan College’s class of 1950. DeLoatch is known in Murfreesboro for her strong spirit of volunteerism and supporter of non-profit organizations. She served as president of the Murfreesboro Historical Association from 1996-2006, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Brady C. Jefcoat Museum of Americana, which houses over 15,000 artifacts. DeLoatch has been a member of Chowan’s Board of Trustees, and she is a member of the Alumni Council.