MURFREESBORO, N.C. — With 15 years of experience in relations and outreach work through educational institutions and non-profits in America and overseas, Lou Ann Gilliam is a welcome addition to Chowan University as the new director of church and community relations, say administrators at the Murfreesboro, N.C., school.
“Lou Ann brings a wealth of experience to the church and community relations position,” said vice president for development John Tayloe. “Having known her professionally for a long time, I am convinced she will readily become a valued member of the Chowan community. We are pleased to offer her this great opportunity to make a difference at Chowan.”
Lou Ann Gilliam
|
After graduating with honors with a bachelor of science in psychology and a minor in religious education and while working towards her master of divinity, Gilliam gained valuable insights into higher educational institutions while working with student activities and in the admissions office and later as director of alumni relations for Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C.
Gilliam is married to one of Chowan’s newest religion faculty members, Trey Gilliam. They have one daughter, Matty Grace. In 2007, the Gilliam family traded small town life in western North Carolina for an urban adventure in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Gilliams spent two and a half years in Edinburgh while Trey pursued his doctor of philosophy in early church history at the University of Edinburgh. During this time, Lou Ann worked as an administrator in the School of Life Sciences for Edinburgh Napier University where she honed her skills in travel and event coordination and improved her administrative abilities serving deans, faculty and human resources administrators.
After Scotland, the Gilliams returned to America and made their home in Buckingham, Va., where Trey served as pastor of Mulberry Grove Baptist Church and Lou Ann worked with the Farmville, Va., area Habitat for Humanity. As the community outreach and communication manager, she greatly increased Habitat’s reach through social media e-mail newsletters. While working with Habitat, Gilliam organized volunteers, including teams from two local universities and church teams from throughout the area, as well as promotion through news outlets.
Gilliam has an intricate knowledge of church life having grown up at Ranlo Baptist Church in Gastonia, N.C. where her parents Bud and Jane Hughes remain members. While in college, Gilliam worked summers at North Carolina Baptist Assembly.
“I am pleased to have this opportunity to serve Chowan,” Gilliam said. “It is a privilege to help foster the relationship between Chowan University and the faith communities that support her.”
Meanwhile, enrollment at Chowan this fall has broken a record, with a total of 1,324 students attending.
That’s an increase of 110 students over last year’s enrollment of 1,214, and the largest total enrollment that Chowan has seen in 40 years.
This fall’s Check-in Day on Aug. 20 also saw a major turnout from the community in support of the incoming freshman. Churches, businesses and organizations provided refreshments, snacks and lunches.
Mari Wiles, minister to the university, said 3,800 plates were served that day.
Among the volunteers were Second Baptist Creeksville Church, Murfreesboro.; Meherrin Baptist Church, Murfreesboro; First Baptist Church, Ahoskie, N.C.; Conway (N.C.) Baptist Church; Galatia Baptist Church, Seaboard, N.C.; and Murfreesboro Baptist Church.
J.E. Barker (barkej@chowan.edu) is director of university relations for Chowan University.