|
By Virgil Albertini, Ph.D.
The only Northwest President who also
was an alumnus, B.D. Owens later received a Ph.D. from the University
of Pennsylvania. Teaching at Bowling Green State University, Owens
was nominated American Council on Education Grant where successful
candidates spent one academic year with the president or administrator
of selected universities. After conducting extensive interviews
and further selection processes, the American Council on Education
selected 25 candidates, including Owens, from United States Colleges
and Universities for the grants.
Following his selection, Owens chose to
mentor under President Elvis Stahr at Indiana University. Upon
returning to Bowling Green, he became assistant to the president
and the following year vice president for research and financial
affairs. Many of his faculty colleagues, presidents and mentors
influenced him to become a president.
Owens identifies numerous possible hallmarks
that occurred during his Northwest presidency. He cites, for example,
getting Northwest “back on track” with enrollment,
accreditation and the restoration of financial integrity. History,
he feels, should be more cognizant of the recovery from the fire,
alternative energy pioneering and laying the groundwork for “state-of-the-art”
campus computer application. These, he thinks, were uplifting
and bold moves to the future.
The changes in his presidency at Northwest,
he says, went from a mode of “crisis management” in
the first few years, including the immediate fire recovery time,
to a more planned and strategic management system. In the later
years, his job became somewhat easier because of extremely competent
administrators and staff, coupled with a strengthened and more
confident faculty. Thus, he feels that Northwest made qualitative
advances in a relatively short time.
Owens says that he could usually pace himself
to keep fresh, but he admits to having the habit of “always
trying to add one more thing” to an already full schedule.
Jogging, participating in the Young President’s Organization,
getting away for an occasional weekend, insisting that staff and
he take vacation time and reading usually kept him refreshed.
His most memorable experiences were commencements.
The pleasure of seeing the mark of recognized accomplishment in
the lives of young people, their families and friends always gave
his much satisfaction. The occasion is very physically tiring
for a president but well worth it.
Certainly, the sad memory of the Administration
Building fire stands at the top of his list, but ground-breaking
ceremonies for the recovery facilities stand more as victory celebrations
for overcoming a dark and trying event. Perhaps, some of his most
memorable experiences came at the least expected times, particularly
when many in the University family began to realize they could
accomplish achievement levels and “raise the bar”
on their own expectations.
Owens’ most disheartening or negative
experiences as president of Northwest always centered around his
disappointment in people for their behavior or lack of performance
which would eventually lead to their dismissal or not being promoted.
The former president lists motivating people
to achieve at a level they did not know they could attain as one
of his major accomplishments. Of course, what he accomplished
after the Administration Building fire in 1979 is legendary. Because
of his indefatigable efforts, Northwest received a new library,
a performing arts center, partial restoration of the Administration
Building, and the conversion of Wells Library to academic classrooms.
He praises his wife Sue for always being
so supportive of him in his career. She is not only an accomplished
and recognized artist but also a great hostess. He says Sue has
always been an extraordinary partner in his work, and her insights
and wisdom have contributed immensely to his success.
Return
to Northwest Presidents
|