Newspapers / Chowan University Student Newspaper / Sept. 1, 1996, edition 1 / Page 13
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Opt' Scc4€e^ Received first 2raphic arts diploma from Chowan Sowell posted 40 years of service to Chowan as printing technology instructor, golf coach McGee never gave up dream of playing college basketball William Berry Sowell was born in Pageland. SC, in 1930 to William Richard and Mary Sowell. He graduated from Pageland High School in 1948. Shortly thereafter, he entered the United States Coast Guard and served for four years. After his discharge, he attended Chowan College from 1953-55 and received the first graphic arts diploma. Bill began teaching at Chowan in the graphic arts department in 1955. While teach ing, he continued as a student and received the A. A. degree from Chowan. He continued his education at East Carolina University and received the B.S. degree in industrial and technical education. While attending ECU, he was a member of Epsilon Pi-Tau, the International Honorary Professional Fraternity in Industrial Arts and Industrial Vocational Education. He taught at Chowan through May 1993, making a total of 38 years of teaching service to the college, and two years as production manager in the School of Graphic Communica tions for a total of 40 years. In addition to his teaching career. Bill was the golf coach for 15 years. He was “Coach of the Year” twice in 1984-85 and 1985-86; the Chowan yearbook, “The Chowanoka,” was dedicated to him in 1967; he was the first person to receive the “Excellence in Teaching Award” in 1986; he was named to “Who’s Who in Education in the South” and also named to “Outstanding Young Men in the South.” During his 15 years as golf coach, Sowell’s best record in one season was 42-12. He had several NJCAA All-Americans, All-Conference and All-Region performers. He represented Chowan College in the NJCAA National Tournament held in Odessy, Texas. In 1990, with an individual player who finished 12th and in 1991 in the National Tournament held in Scottsdale, Arizona, with an individual who finished in 10th place. Bill is a member of the Murfreesboro United Methodist Church and has been a lay speaker in the church for several years. He taught Sunday School for the Young Adult Class and sang in the choir. mUiarn Berry Sowell He has twice served as president of the Murfree^ro Exchange Club. He was secre tary/treasurer for eight years and received the “Exchangite of the Year" award in 1967. Bill has been honored as “Citizen of the Week” by the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald. He was a member of the Murfreesboro Rescue Squad for 10 years and is a lifetime honorary member. He was president of the rescue squad and given an award from the squad for outstanding contributions between the years 1967-77. He was a scoutmaster for 12 years and coached Little League baseball for many years. Bill was a member of the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, Printing Industries of the Carolinas, NC Press Association, Eastern NC Press Msociation, VA Press Association. NC Mechnical Conference Association and Chowan’s “Lux el Veritas.” He is a Mason, a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner. Bill is married to the former June Tucker and they have three children, all of whom attended Chowan College. William Berry Sowell, Jr., is a hospital administrator in Dothan, AL; Wanda Jean Rawlin. is living in Hawaii; and. Richard Joseph (Ricky) Sowell is currently employed in sales by Global Printing in Alexandria. VA. Bill also has three grandchildren - Colby, Casey and Seth. Bill has been a long-time supporter of Chowan athletics and he served on the athletic committee for many years. Continued from page twelve responded b>' becoming an outstanding student-athlete. McGee made the most of the opportunity Burke and Chowan had given him by being named MVP of the Eastern Tarheel Conference Tournament his freshman year He also was named to the second team All- Conference squad while leading his team in scoring. At the conclusion of the year, McGee was the recipient of the Coaches’ Award and was given a full scholarship for his sophomore year. F*utting it all together could best describe his final year in the famed “blue and white.” McGee walked away with just about every honor that could be earned. He was selected “Co-Player of the Year in Region X,” team MVP. leading scorer, and “Honorable Mention All-American.” McGee also was selected as the “Most Outstanding Athlete” to cap off an excellent career at Chowan College. The Braves enjoyed tremendous success during McGee's two years as witnessed by their superlative 45- 12 overall record. McGee also holds the distinction of being one of only two Chowan players under Coach Burke’s 13-year tenure on the junior college level to lead the team in scoring both years. “Still to this day. Bob Burke stated, “I consider him to be one of the best practice players I have ever coached. He just loved to play anytime.” Blending his talents on the hard court and the classroom, McGee left Chowan with an associate of science degree in one hand and a full scholarship to Campbell University in the other. He continued to enjoy success as a “Fighting Camel,” leading the team in scoring two consecutive years. A recipient of the Coach's Award his junior year, he was selected to two All-Tournament teams, and was MVP of the team his senior year. McGee never lost sight of the educational goals he had set for himself and graduated from Campbell University with a bachelor’s degree in physical educa tion. After graduation, he continued to play basketball and tried out for two Continental Basketball Association teams. In 1988 he moved to Durham to be with his high school sweetheart, Vickie Hayes, and they were married on December 24, 1989. They now have one child, Morgan Andrea. McGee is presently employed with Durham County Youth Home where he has worked for the past eight years. In 1991, he was named Detention Counselor of the Year, to become one of 27 counselors nationwide to receive the honor. Rowlands has become outstanding coach, posted many school records Continued from page twelve “Female Athlete of the Year” presentation. Upon completion of an excellent two-year career, Rowlands earned an associate of arts degree in pre-education and transferred to Old Dominion University. She continued to enjoy success in the classroom and on the court as a member of the basketball squad at ODU. A three-year player, Rowlands scored a career high 321 points her senior year Graduating with a bachelor of science degree in heahh and physical education and recreation in 1969, Rowlands began a career in educa tion that has endured for the past 27 years. Her first three years were spent at Lake Taylor High School in Norfolk, where she taught physical education and assisted with the field hockey program and basketball intramurals. Her first head coaching position came at Bayside Junior High School in Virginia Beach, VA, whe she headed up the field hockey program. In 1967, she accepted a teaching and coaching position at First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach where she has taught health and physical education for the past 20 years to grades 9 through 12 while establishing herself as one of the most successftil coaches in the State of Virginia. The women's programs that have come under her tutelage have been varsity basketball, field hockey, and soccer During her 11 years as head basketball coach, her teams captured two district championships, one district runner-up championship and one Eastern Regional Runner-up championship. For two years. Coach Rowlands also was in charge of the field hockey team along with her other duties as head coach for the basketball and soccer programs. Her soccer program has enjoyed tremendous success over the past 10 years and is recognized as one of the finest teams in the state. Under her guidance, the “Lady Patriots” have won eight Beach District champi onships, five Eastern Regional championships and was twice state semi- finalist and quarter finalist. Her team placed second in the state of Virginia in 1990 and 1993. In 1993, she was presented the Virginia Beach Coaches Association “Coach of the Year” trophy. The following year she walked away with the Eastern Regional “Coach of the Year” award. A well respected educator and coach among her peers, Rowlands has been awarded the prestigious Virginia Beach Coaches Association Championship Award six times during her career Rowlands has posted an enviable 169-83-28 soccer record in her 19 years as the skipper of the Lady Patriots program. A native of Beaufort, NC, she now resides in Virginia Beach, VA. Each inductee to be presented monogrammed ring, engraved plaque CHOWAN TODAY, Septemberl996 — Page 13
Chowan University Student Newspaper
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Sept. 1, 1996, edition 1
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