Chowan was founded by Dr. Godwin Cotton Moore in 1848 as Chowan Baptist Female Institute, a four-year women's college. Between 1850-1867, the school changed names to the Chowan Female Collegiate Institute, then switched back to the Chowan Baptist Female Institute. The school was renamed Chowan College in 1910 when it began awarding baccalaureate degrees, and began admitting male students in 1931. In 1992 the college returned to four-year status when it admitted a junior class. The school's Board of Trustees elected to officially change the name to Chowan University on April 6, 2006, and the change in status took place on September 1, 2006.
