Fair winds and following seas

Posted on: 7/29/2015; Updated on: 7/29/2015
By Steven Powell, 803-777-1923

The Carolina community recently lost a steady leader who served in trying times. Charles H. Witten, retired Navy captain and Dean of Students during the oft-tumultuous years of 1963 through 1975, passed on at the age of 96 on July 21.

Commissioned as an ensign in March 1941, Witten saw extensive action in WWII, participating in campaigns in North Africa, southern France, the North Atlantic, the Solomon Islands, the Tarawa atoll, Marcus Island, the Philippines and Okinawa. Over 22 years of active duty, he commanded the USS Soley, USS Kline, USS Walter B. Cobb and USS Maurice J. Manuel. In his final active-duty assignment he was commanding officer of the Naval ROTC program at the university.

Asked by President Thomas F. Jones to join the civilian administration at a crucial juncture in the university’s history, Witten retired from the Navy and was named Dean of Students in July 1963. His immediate task was to oversee desegregation of the university, which was effected peacefully that fall.

Witten was later named vice president for student affairs, serving until 1975, and retired as distinguished professor emeritus in 1986. Under his leadership many of the offices and programs of the modern university were created. Some of these (under their original names) include the Counseling Center, the Office of Student Financial Aid, the Office of Career Advisement, International Student Affairs, Minority Student Affairs, Upward Bound and the Office of Volunteer Services. He also assisted in the founding of University 101, one of Carolina’s most widely acclaimed programs nationally.

Behind a long list of professional accomplishments was a man with a core of compassion. Just days before commissioning, one of his midshipman was hospitalized. Witten delivered in person the life-altering news that a medical condition would close the door to an intended career as a line officer at sea.

“It was a heartfelt conversation on both our parts, and tears started to roll down my face,” says Chet Allen (’64). “Captain Witten took my arm and my hand and somehow gave me man-to-man understanding and comfort without further words.”

“He was easily one the few greatest influences on my life,” says Dana McLendon (’64, ’70 MBA, Capt. USN, ret.). “If anyone ever deserved ‘Fair winds and following seas,’ it was Captain Witten.”


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