Lorain County Community College is proud to announce the availability of the Thomas D. and Jean C. Bowen Scholarship. Preference will be given to Lorain County Community College students who are either Elyria High School graduates; members of First United Church, Third St., Elyria, OH; Girl Scouts; or a member of the Elyria, OH YWCA.
If there is a decision to be made between two or more applicants then the applicant with the most community volunteerism will be awarded the scholarship. The name and brief background information of the scholarship recipient will be provided to the Bowen family each year.
About Jean and Thomas Bowen
Jean and Thomas Bowen were exceptional Lorain County, Ohio community members who exemplified leadership and compassion.
Jean C. Bowen was the quintessential volunteer who enjoyed helping others. She was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Elyria and served on its administrative board. She volunteered at Elyria’s Wesleyan Village for the aged; served on the board of the Elyria YWCA and the Erie Shores Girl Scout Council. Jean was a lifelong Girl Scout. She was president of the PTA Council of Elyria Public Schools and active in the Elyria High School Band Boosters. Jean also served on the United Way’s allocations panel for over 20 years.
Education was important to Jean. She graduated magna cum laude in 1943 from Denison University – a time when not many women attended college; and majored and minored in disciplines where even less women were seen – math and chemistry. And because education was so important to Jean, she actually went back to school at LCCC in her later years and received an Associate’s Degree in Computer Science. Her husband Thomas handed her degree when he was Acting President.
Thomas D. Bowen was as exceptional as his wife. He was the first treasurer of Lorain County Community College, and held the job of acting President in 1971. During his tenure with the College, Tom oversaw the construction of the North Abbe Road campus.
Tom’s education and experiences are impressive as well. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1942 in government and economics. Through his working years, Tom continued his education and eventually received a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University and became a certified public accountant. He served as clerk of Elyria City Council in the 1950s.
Although Jean and Tom did great things for many people during their lifetimes, the greatest accomplishment for both of them was raising their four children. Even one of them went back to Lorain County Community College in his later years and was a double graduate of LCCC. What better way to celebrate their lives but through this scholarship.