In Graphic Communications
Bill Sowell in 29th
year as professor
Bill Sowell, in his 29th year as
professor in the Department of
Graphic Communications, has
helped to launch the careers of
hundreds of printing technology
students.
For the past 21 years, he has
teamed with Herman Gatewood,
departmental chairman, to help
shape the Graphic Communica
tions program into one of the finest
of its kind in the nation, as ac
claimed by printing industry and
newspaper authorities.
Long Term of Service
Sowell has served longer at
Chowan than any other full-time
faculty member. Only Daisy Lou
Mixon, now a part-time religion
professor, has served longer.
Sowell graduated from Pageland
High School in South Carolina in
1947. He said he “had no idea what
I wanted to do” so he joined the
Coast Guard. Of his four and one-
half years of service in the Coast
Guard, he commented, “I enjoyed
it very much. I wouldn’t trade it for
anytMng in the world, especially
II
WILLUM B. SOWELL
joined Chowan faculty in 1954
deal of self satisfaction from help
ing these young people.” He said
he could double his salary in the
printing industry but would miss
the opportunity of working with
and helping young people.
"I love my work and
wouldn't want to do anything
else. I thoroughly enjoy
what I am doing."
the experiences of traveling to
many different places and meeting
different kinds of people.”
After his release from the Coast
Guard, Sowell decided to pursue an
interest in printing he developed
while serving as a printer’s devil at
Pageland High School. He wanted
to attend a small community col
lege and his principal recommend
ed Chowan and its graphic arts
program established in 1951 by
John McSweeney. Sowell attended
from 1953 to 1955 and was the first
Chowan student to receive the
graphics arts diploma. Up to that
time the college had been offering
one-year linotype and teletype cer
tificates.
During his sophomore year,
McSweeney asked Sowell to serve
in a student teaching position.
After his graduation, Sowell ac
cepted a full-time job. He con
tinued his education during the
simimers and in 1969 received the
B.S. in industrial and technical
education at East Carolina Univer
sity, where he has also taken
graduate work.
Although he has taught for 29
years, Sowell said he continues to
look forward eagerly to each day
spent among his students. “I love
my work and wouldn’t want to do
anything else I thoroughly enjoy
what I’m ddng I receive a great
Early Classes
Sowell enjoys getting to work
early and preparing for his
students. It’s a good thing since he
has taught an eight o’clock class
every semester during his 29 years
at Chowan.
The printing professor said it’s
very rewarding to watch the pro
gress of his former students as
they get established in the printing
and newspaper industry. A
number have started their own
businesses, he pointed out.
He mentioned Bob Crusco of
Newark, Del., who started his
business. Another example is
Frank Edwards, who owns and
operates a thriving plant and ex
panding business in Rocky Mount.
“Many students come to Chowan
with the dream of owning their own
printing company. It’s satisfying
to share in their dreams,” Sowell
allowed.
He said opportunities in printing
are almost unlimited. “We can’t
begin to supply all of the openings
offered our graduates.” He said he
has numerous job offers to choose
from. He also said “more and
more are going on and getting the
baccalaureate degree. Many are
preparing for supervisory posi
tions.”
Sowell said Chowan’s graphic
communications program has kept
pace with the progress of the col
lege itself. He remembers that
when he came to Chowan as a stu
dent in 1953, the campus consisted
of McDowell Columns, four small
cottages, and the old gym, now
renovated and used for the student
center.
The original graphic arts facility
was cinder block building, 40x70.
There were only 153 students
enrolled in 1953 and 20-25 were in
printing, he recalls. The facility,
named for McSweeney, underwent
several additions over the years.
Chowan now boasts of 24
facilities valued at over $13
million. Today Chowan’s printing
and photography students number
200 and have access to a new
$550,000 Graphics Communications
Center opened in September 1983.
“Dynamic Field”
Sowell said the printing
technology students have chosen a
dynamic field that is noted for its
innovations and progress.
“It’s growing by leaps and
bounds and computers are playing
a big part in it.” Sowell said
Chowan has kept pace with the pro
gress. “The printing industry has
donated much equipment which
enables us to prepare our students
to use the equipment, presses and
computers and employ the
technology that is currently being
used. Our students train on the
very latest equipment used within
the industry. This gives our
students an advantage,” he an
nounced.
Chowan’s printing students are
provided instruction and ex-
Grad receives
Manning grant
Kathleen Suzanne Scott, a
graduate of 1983, has received the
Golden Anniversary Florence
Manning Scholarship Award, as
the second place winner in recent
competition. As recipient of the
grant, Scott has received a check
from the headquarters of the Na
tional Honorary Secretarial Socie
ty.
While a student at Chowan, Miss
Scott served as President of Alpha
Pi Epsilon and also secretary of
Phi Theta Kappa.
During summer periods, she
worked with the Government Sum
mer Work Program and for the
Clerk of the Circuit Court in her
home county.
Scott, who is also a member of
“Who’s Who in American Junior
Colleges”, has expressed an in
terest in becoming a legal
secretary.
Professor Sowell instructs a student in the correct
way to set up the feeder of an offset press.
perience on one and two color
sheet-fed and web offset presses,
and a three unit King web offset
press used by many newspapers.
While his work with students
consumes much of his time and
energy, Sowell has many other in
terests. He loves to golf, fish, hunt
and watch sports, and is one of the
Braves’ athletic teams most avid
fans.
For the past five years, the rugg
ed, good-looking Sowell has served
as Chowan’s golf coach. He is a
32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason
and Shriner. He is active in com
munity and church affairs. Sowell
served on the Murfreesboro
Rescue Squad for 10 years and is a
lifetime honorary member. He
served as a scoutmaster for many
years. He has served 12 years as
the Sunday School superintendent
at the Murfreesboro United
Methodist Church. He is a
member and former president of
the Murfreesboro Exchange Club.
Sowell has been named to
“Who’s Who in Education in the
South” and “Outstanding Young
Men in the South.”
Like Sowell, his family has
strong Chowan ties. He married
one of his former students, the
former June Tucker of Moyock.
Two of his three children are
Chowan graduates. Barry recently
graduated from Auburn University
in hospital administration. Wanda
is a merchandising management
major at the University of West
Florida in Pensacola. Rick, 13, is in
the eighth grade emd enjoys help
ing Chowan’s football team as a
ball boy.
Bill Sowell looks younger than
his 53 years. Many of his former
students have kept in touch with
him, and he looks forward to their
visits and other contacts.
THE CHOWANIAN
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Chowan College. Murfreesboro, North
Caroline, a standard junior college
controlled by the Baptist State Conven
tion of North Carolina and founded in
1848. Printed, designed ond edited by
the students and faculty of the Schoo
of Graphic Communications at Chowan
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Page 2—THE CHOWANIAN, February, 1984