Rowe, Donald D.
Dr. Donald (Don) Duane Rowe (1917-2013) was a 20-year faculty member at Lee College. He joined the Lee faculty in 1964 as an instructor in social sciences, specializing in business law and political science. When he arrived at Lee there were a sampling of business courses, but no business major. [A former Commercial (business) program had been started in 1930, but it focused on secretarial courses.] Rowe was mandated developing the business program. A business major was launched in 1965 and Rowe eventually served as the first Chair of the Department of Business. His prior business and entrepreneurial experience helped the department expand and become one of the college's strongest and most successful programs by the time he retired in 1984. Rowe was awarded the rank of Professor Emeritus upon retirement.
A native of Illinois, Rowe worked in Chicago as a young man, employed with Commonwealth Edison, Dollar Steamship Lines, and Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1939 he began a 23-year career in the airlines industry, first with United Airlines in San Francisco and then as a sales manager with Eastern Airlines in San Francisco and Miami. In 1940, Rowe met Helen Stiles, also employed with Eastern Airlines, and they were married in 1942. Rowe served in the Navy's Intelligence Division during World War II, after which he returned to his work with Eastern Airlines and continued his educational studies at the University of Miami, earning the B.B.A., M.A., and Juris Doctorate degrees. He also served on faculty at the University of Miami Law School. He later continued his graduate studies in business at the University of Tennessee.
Rowe entered a ministerial vocation in 1961, receiving ministerial credentials with the Church of God and serving as Director of Missions and Editor-in-Chief with the T. L. Lowery Evangelistic Association. He then served in administration with the Church of God World Missions department before joining the Lee faculty, where he served from 1964 to 1984.
Rowe was recognized at Lee and beyond for his achievements and service. In 1976 he was elected to represent Bradley County, Tennessee, as a delegate to the Tennessee Constitutional Convention, which group was charged with re-writing the Tennessee State Constitution. Rowe chaired the Style and Drafting Committee and authored the resolution specifying the Governor’s term of office, which was adopted by the Convention and the State. He was given the Key to the City of Cleveland, Tennessee, in recognition of his service as a delegate to the Tennessee Constitutional Convention.
He was named as an Outstanding Educator in America, served as Vice President of the College Business Administration Teachers Division of the Tennessee Education Association, and served on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Political Science Association.
At Lee, Rowe's tenure was marked by his student-centered approach and emphasis on excellence. Within his 20 years at Lee he helped start the Business major and department and inspire and train students to compete nationally with distinction. Under his leadership, Business students participating in the Phi Beta Lambda competition in 1982 won more national awards than any college of university in the country. He often was seen lunching with students in the cafeteria and conversing with them in the hallways between classes. Upon Rowe's retirement, student Allan Hill wrote in the 1984 Vindagua, "To Lee College, Dr. Rowe is a rare and precious gem that has benefited thousands in the past and he will be remembered by all who have had the distinct honor of learning from this professor who has led a truly exemplary lifestyle."
Rowe's impact and service are honored through the establishment of the Don Rowe Excellence in Management award for a student in the School of Business and through the Dr. Donald D. and Helene S. Rowe Business Scholarship, endowed by the School of Business alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
Rowe died in 2013 in Lakeland, Florida, and is buried at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
/ L. F. Morgan
A native of Illinois, Rowe worked in Chicago as a young man, employed with Commonwealth Edison, Dollar Steamship Lines, and Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1939 he began a 23-year career in the airlines industry, first with United Airlines in San Francisco and then as a sales manager with Eastern Airlines in San Francisco and Miami. In 1940, Rowe met Helen Stiles, also employed with Eastern Airlines, and they were married in 1942. Rowe served in the Navy's Intelligence Division during World War II, after which he returned to his work with Eastern Airlines and continued his educational studies at the University of Miami, earning the B.B.A., M.A., and Juris Doctorate degrees. He also served on faculty at the University of Miami Law School. He later continued his graduate studies in business at the University of Tennessee.
Rowe entered a ministerial vocation in 1961, receiving ministerial credentials with the Church of God and serving as Director of Missions and Editor-in-Chief with the T. L. Lowery Evangelistic Association. He then served in administration with the Church of God World Missions department before joining the Lee faculty, where he served from 1964 to 1984.
Rowe was recognized at Lee and beyond for his achievements and service. In 1976 he was elected to represent Bradley County, Tennessee, as a delegate to the Tennessee Constitutional Convention, which group was charged with re-writing the Tennessee State Constitution. Rowe chaired the Style and Drafting Committee and authored the resolution specifying the Governor’s term of office, which was adopted by the Convention and the State. He was given the Key to the City of Cleveland, Tennessee, in recognition of his service as a delegate to the Tennessee Constitutional Convention.
He was named as an Outstanding Educator in America, served as Vice President of the College Business Administration Teachers Division of the Tennessee Education Association, and served on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Political Science Association.
At Lee, Rowe's tenure was marked by his student-centered approach and emphasis on excellence. Within his 20 years at Lee he helped start the Business major and department and inspire and train students to compete nationally with distinction. Under his leadership, Business students participating in the Phi Beta Lambda competition in 1982 won more national awards than any college of university in the country. He often was seen lunching with students in the cafeteria and conversing with them in the hallways between classes. Upon Rowe's retirement, student Allan Hill wrote in the 1984 Vindagua, "To Lee College, Dr. Rowe is a rare and precious gem that has benefited thousands in the past and he will be remembered by all who have had the distinct honor of learning from this professor who has led a truly exemplary lifestyle."
Rowe's impact and service are honored through the establishment of the Don Rowe Excellence in Management award for a student in the School of Business and through the Dr. Donald D. and Helene S. Rowe Business Scholarship, endowed by the School of Business alumni, faculty, staff and friends.
Rowe died in 2013 in Lakeland, Florida, and is buried at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
/ L. F. Morgan
1981-82