Barbara Stowe gives to development fund
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
Barbara Stowe and her husband, Howard, have made a gift to the College of Human Ecology at Kansas State University by increasing funding for the Dean Barbara S. Stowe Faculty Development Fund.
The endowment was originally established in 1998 with gifts from alumni, friends, faculty and students of the College of Human Ecology to honor Barbara Stowe at her retirement.
Stowe was dean of the College of Human Ecology from 1983-1998.
Helping faculty take research to the world
The fund was created to honor her as well as recognize faculty who translate research-based knowledge of human ecology into practice in higher education, business, industry or public policy. The funding may be applied to various endeavors including administrative development, academic and curricular development, liaison projects with government or industry and other initiatives that advance the mission of the College of Human Ecology.
Dean Stowe earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from the University of Nebraska, a master’s degree in textiles and clothing at Michigan State University, and a doctoral degree in textile chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina State University.
Before becoming dean of the College of Human Ecology at K-State, she held department head positions at Auburn University and Michigan State University and directed Michigan 4-H Youth Programs. While at K-State, she coordinated a privately funded building program, which included the Galichia Institute for Gerontology and Family Studies and expansion of the Stone House Child Care Center. She helped develop a W. K. Kellogg Foundation-funded project that established a school of human ecology in Paraguay.
Among her many honors
Her honors include fellow of the Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing and being named an outstanding alumna by the University of Nebraska, Michigan State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
The Stowes met while they were graduate students at Michigan State University. Howard Stowe earned a master’s degree in animal science and doctoral degrees in veterinary medicine and pathology from Michigan State University. He has held faculty positions at the University of Kentucky, where he was instrumental in establishing what is now the Equine Science Society, North Carolina Medical School, Auburn University, and Michigan State University. At Michigan State University, he established the nutrition section of what is now the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health.
He retired in 1993 and now spends most of his time on the Stowe’s farm near East Lansing, Mich. They have a son, Bradley, who graduated from K-State, and one grandson. The Stowes are Fairchild Society level members of the KSU Foundation’s Presidents Club, a philanthropic leadership organization for K-State friends and alumni.
‘Talented faculty, hardworking students’
“My years as dean at K-State were the most rewarding of my professional career even though they involved a commuter marriage,” Stowe said. “I had the opportunity to work with some very talented and dedicated faculty, bright hardworking students and very loyal alumni. They all cared deeply about the College of Human Ecology and K-State.”
“When Barbara Stowe was dean of the College of Human Ecology, she challenged us with the question, ‘What does the world need of us?’ That question continues to guide our priority setting in the College of Human Ecology,” said Virginia Moxley, dean of the College of Human Ecology.
“This gift will assure that over time the college can support faculty development and program advancement to assure that we continue being responsive to the emerging needs of the state and the world.”
Prepared by the Kansas State University Foundation
This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 and is filed under Dean's Blog.