A Smithfield man is among 11 new members recently elected to serve on the Chowan University Board of Visitors through 2016.

An engineer and businessman with Murphy and Coates, Dean Vincent and the other new members were selected on the basis of their willingness to share ideas and resources for the University’s advancement, officials stated in a release announcing the appointment.

Members show an interest in the program of the University and are informed about its accomplishments and objectives. Alumni, parents and friends of the University who are not serving a current trustee term are eligible for membership on the board, which consists of no more than 60 members.

Members are appointed for three-year terms.

New or returning members with terms expiring in 2016 include: Donna Phillips Askew of Winterville, N.C.; Amy Gillus of Winton, N.C.; Mike Hendley of Sanford, N.C.; Tom Jones Jr. of Murfreesboro, N.C.; Nancy Britton Lamm of Wilson, N.C.; Benjamin Rich of Newport News; Dr. Eric Surface of Raleigh, N.C.; Richard Thompson of Chapel Hill, N.C.; Dr. Dorothy Wallace of Woodland, N.C.; Thomas Winston of Oxford, N.C.; and Vincent.