A campus leader in student development died Thursday.
   
Reginland “Reggie” McGowan died Thursday at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. He was 49.
   
The cause of death was unknown at press time.
   
McGowan was the assistant vice president of educational and personal development programs.
   
He is survived by his wife, Juanita McGowan, assistant dean of diversity for the College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor and director of American ethnic studies, as well as his parents.
   
In his 27 years at K-State, McGowan served in a variety of roles. McGowan began his time as a research assistant in the animal science department and later joined the Upward Bound program in 1984. He became its K-State director in 1988.
   
According to its Web site, Upward Bound is a federally funded program designed to provide students with academic and personal support to assist them in preparing for college.
   
The Feb. 21, 1991, issue of InView, a faculty newsletter, noted that Upward Bound had a 99.5-percent success rate at keeping “high risk” students in school.
   
McGowan was awarded the 1993 Conoco Presidential Award for Distinguished Services to Minority Education.
   
McGowan also served as director of the Educational Opportunity Programs, known as TRIO, and co-director of the First Tee Life Skills and Leadership Academy.
   
He also had served as the K-State adviser for Alpha Phi Alpha, Phi Beta Sigma and Black Student Union.
   
Candice Hironaka, associate director of the School of Leadership Studies, said McGowan was instrumental in bringing First Tee to Manhattan in 2000.
   
David Griffin, associate professor of secondary education and assistant dean of diversity, said McGowan was a mentor to many, including him.
   
“He was student-centered and an advocate of upward mobility,” Griffin said. “Helping people was not a job to him, it was a joy.” Griffin said McGowan will be greatly missed.
   
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in Jackson, Miss., at the Anderson United Methodist Church.

Comments

3 comments

Cruz

Wed Nov 19 2008 09:46

I am won of those 99.5% rate that stayed in school thanks to Upward Bound and the leadership of Mr. McGowan. If it wasn't for Mr. McGowan and Upward Bound, I wouldn't be where I am today. He and other staff at Upward Bound taught me the importance of education and challenging oneself. My wife is also one of the 99.5% and we met in Upward Bound. Mr. McGowan will be missed.

Bridget Morganfield Jones

Tue Nov 18 2008 15:36

Reggie and I go way back to our days at Alcorn; he was a super nice and fun guy. I was shocked and saddened to learn of his passing. My prayers are with his family

Logan Adams

Tue Nov 18 2008 11:37

I interviewed Reggie McGowan for a Collegian story on living on dialysis that ran sometime in May 2006. He was a friendly guy and fun, really, to interview.

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