Levi J. Rowan
Levi John Rowan | |
|---|---|
| 7th President of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College | |
| In office 1905–1911 | |
| Preceded by | William H. Lanier |
| Succeeded by | John Adams Martin |
| 9th President of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College | |
| In office 1915–1934 | |
| Preceded by | John Adams Martin |
| Succeeded by | Isiah S. Sanders |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 7, 1871 Rodney, Mississippi, United States |
| Died | June 28, 1934 Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States |
| Resting place | Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States |
| Spouse | Mattie Foote (m. 1896–) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College |
| Occupation | Academic administrator, college president, teacher, photographer |
Levi John Rowan (August 7, 1871 – June 28, 1934) was an American academic administrator, educator, and photographer. He served two terms as the president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University) a historically black public university in Lorman, Mississippi. He also used the name L. J. Rowan.
Life and career
Levi John Rowan was born in August 7, 1871, in Rodney, Mississippi, to parents Martha (née Walker) and Sidney Rowan.[1][2] He graduated with a B.S. degree in May 1893 from Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University).[1][2]
In 1896, Rowan married Mattie Foote, and they had four daughters.[2] After graduation, Rowan taught for 5 years near his hometown of Rodney, Mississippi.[3]
In 1905, he became the 7th president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College, a role he held until 1911 when he was succeeded by John Adams Martin.[4] After his first term, Rowan taught English at Alcorn.[1] He served as second term as president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College from 1915 until 1934.[4] During his tenure as president, the campus was expanded.[1][5]
Death and legacy
Rowan died on June 28, 1934, in a hospital in Vicksburg, Mississippi.[6] He had been sick, and suffered from kidney disease and heart disease.[6]
From 1950 until 2017, the Rowan School (or L. J. Rowan Middle School) in Jackson, Mississippi was named in his honor.[1][7]
An exhibition of his photography was held at the Columbus–Lowndes Public Library in 2017.[8] The Levi J. Rowan Photograph Collection is held at the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Rowan School Named for Alcorn President". The Clarion-Ledger. December 30, 1956 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Levi J. Rowan Photograph Collection" (PDF). Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2023.
- ^ "Here's who Jackson's public schools are named after". The Clarion-Ledger. December 4, 1994. p. 60 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Alcorn State University: Past Presidents". Alcorn State University. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013.
- ^ Hartshorn, W. N. (1910). An Era of Progress and Promise, 1863–1910. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Library. Boston, MA: Priscilla Pub. Co. p. 345.
- ^ a b "Dr. L. J. Rowan, President of Alcorn College, Dies". The Call (Kansas City) (obituary). July 6, 1934. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Harris, Bracey. "JPS to close Rowan Middle School; other mergers possible". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
- ^ "Rowan's historic images explore African American middle class". The Dispatch. January 14, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2025.