President Grover C. Bowman
Dr. Grover C. Bowman, former president of North Adams State Teachers College, was key figure in growing the college into the institution that we know today.
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Dr. Bowman began his tenure in 1937 after fifteen years of being the superintendent for North Adams public schools. Dr Bowman took over from Albert Eldridge. Eldridge had been able to complete the impressive feat of expanding the school’s offerings from two, three, to four-year degrees during the Great Depressionan. However, Dr. Bowman would make important contributions to North Adams State Teachers College that would make “education feel alive.”
In 1938, just one year after he took office, Dr Bowman implemented a new club, the Men’s Athletic Association (M.A.A.), shortly followed by the formation of a Men’s Basketball program. These programs were not the first of their kind nor were they anything special on paper, but what they did bring was more students and a better community. Prior to the addition of a M.A.A. and the Men’s basketball program, almost no men attended North Adams State Teachers College and now there were growing amounts of men who showed interest in attending and playing athletics at North Adams State Teachers College.
Dr. Bowman did not stop at athletic clubs but helped facilitate several other clubs being brought in during his tenure such as religious clubs, glee club, current events club, and cheerleading. Dr Bowman also promoted Sunday afternoon programs which consisted of selling items to help the war effort during WWII, providing food and services, and helping the elderly.
These efforts encouraged students to be involved in their community. These programs grew the community spirit of the school and encouraged more students to not only come to North Adams for their education but also expanded the extracurricular experience of being at school while Dr Bowman was at the helm. Students took advantage of all the opportunities offered to them by the school with several seniors taking part in clubs or activities across all four years but also taking part in other clubs for a year or two. This demonstrates that students were interested in being part of these groups and that some students went through multiple clubs before finding their right fit, something that would not have been possible prior to Dr. Bowman.
Dr. Bowman fostered an environment that encouraged students to grow and become great teachers, stating in his last goodbye letter to the students, “There is no greater career for you than that of a teacher and no other brings a greater reward.”
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Dr. Grover C. Bowman at his desk.
Bowman was highly regarded by his colleagues and focused on producing well-trained educators | Source: Courtesy of MCLA Freel Library.
President Bowman and a group of faculty, 1941.
Under his leadership, the institution became one of the few teachers' colleges to be accredited by the New England School and College Association. | Source: Courtesy of MCLA Freel Library.
Grover C. Bowman and his executive team.
Dr Grover Bowman (seated middle) surrounded by his administration for his first year as president. This group was responsible for laying the foundation of what was to come during Dr. Bowman’s tenure. | Source: Courtesy of MCLA Freel Library
A senior from the class of 1953.
This yearbook photo lists all the accolades and accomplishments from the several different clubs and organizations on campus brought in by Dr. Bowman. The numbers you see next to the club or organization is the number of years the student was part of the organization. | Source: Courtesy of MCLA Freel Library.
Yearbook staff.
These students, although studying to be teachers, were able to curate, organize, and produce a very well written yearbook. These students were crucial as many of them also worked in the school newspaper, providing information and news to their fellow students and teachers. | Source: Courtesy of MCLA Freel Library.
The Men’s Basketball Team.
This group of young men became part of the inaugural men’s basketball team at North Adams State Teachers College. Formed under Dr. Bowman’s administration and still running today, the men’s basketball program was essential in beginning to grow the school’s male population and attracting students to North Adams for college. | Source: Courtesy of MCLA Freel Library.
Male members of the Freshman class of 1955, the last freshman class under Dr. Bowman’s tenure.
The number of students in this picture shows the tremendous amount of growth that the school had under Dr. Bowman’s leadership, especially the amount of men. The key reforms and positive attitude from Dr. Bowman allowed education to feel alive and students to thrive. | Source: Courtesy of MCLA Freel Library.