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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ^ 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.
- 1871 births
- 1934 deaths
- 19th-century African-American educators
- 19th-century American educators
- African-American academic administrators
- African-American photographers
- Alcorn State University alumni
- Alcorn State University faculty
- American academic administrators
- American photographers
- People from Jefferson County, Mississippi