Anderson Oconee Pickens

Dr. Gwen Owens Recognized for Outstanding Service to Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11/3/2005
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- She's been described by both colleagues and students as a master teacher who leads with her mind and her heart, a strong advocate for students, a great role model and an exceptional educator.

For more than 30 years, Dr. Gwen Owens has distinguished herself in the classroom and the community. Last week, the South Carolina Association for Developmental Educators recognized Dr. Owens, who leads Tri-County Technical College's Comprehensive Studies Division, for outstanding service to students. The award was presented at the annual meeting of the organization.

Since 1998, Dr. Owens has led the Comprehensive Studies Division, which offers courses in developmental mathematics, developmental English, developmental reading and English as a Second Language. In addition, the College offers courses for preparation for the educational entrance exam and the scholastic assessment test. Theses course can help students to improve the basic skills needed for success in a specific major.

"This award is very special because it recognizes service to students, the major focus of my career," said Dr. Owens, who resides in Pelzer. "It’s also an humbling experience because there are still areas I can improve in. For the rest of my career, my focus will be making the educational experience better for students," added Dr. Owens, who for more than a year, also has served as interim chair of the College's Arts and Sciences Division.

She joined Tri-County in 1992 as developmental reading department head after 19 years as an elementary education teacher at Wren and Powdersville
Middle Schools in Anderson County School District One.

Dr. Owens says she chose teaching as a career because it’s another way to help others. “I want to lift them and help them to progress in a way to help their future. We, as educators, must communicate the importance of education. It’s the key to success.”

"At Tri-County, students come first with Gwen," said Linda Crowe, administrative assistant for the Comprehensive Studies Division and among those who nominated Dr. Owens. "She puts aside what she is doing to address students' needs. She gives every student individual attention and that communicates the warm, caring attitude she has for every person who calls on her. When situations occur with students, such as home, work, financial, emotional, physical, etc., she considers all of the options available and encourages a solution. She goes above and beyond the call of the average educator," said Mrs. Crowe.

In addition to her two administrative roles, Dr. Owens serves as academic coach for the Call Me MISTER initiative at Tri-County. Developed by Clemson University, Call Me MISTER is a scholarship program designed to meet the shortage of African American male teachers in South Carolina's elementary schools. Through the program, black males are recruited, trained, and certified to become elementary teachers in S.C.’s public schools. Dr. Owens also serves on Tri-County's Access and Equity Advisory Committee where she explores and recommends ways for recruiting more blacks and improving the retention of black students.

Earlier this year, she was honored as an Outstanding African-American Woman in Anderson County during National Women's Month. She received the community service award given by the Anderson Alumni Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity in 2000.

In 1999 she was named Administrator of the Year at the annual South Carolina Technical Education Association conference and has served as president of the S.C. Association for Developmental Educators.

She is among educators from across the United States who hold certification as a developmental education specialist from the Kellogg Institute for the Training and Certification of Developmental Educators. The Institute is the only one of its kind in the country offering training and certification to education professionals who work with academically underprepared students on college campuses.

In 1996 she received the Johnnie Ruth Clark Instructor Award for Excellence in Community Colleges. She was honored by the National Council on Black American Affairs (Southern Region), a Council of the American Association of Community Colleges. The same year, she was selected to receive a 1996 NISOD Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to teaching and learning.

In 1995 she received the highest award presented to faculty, the Presidential Medallion for Instructional Excellence at the commencement. She has completed the Master Teacher Leadership Program through the College. as well as the President's Leadership Program.

In 1993, Mrs. Owens, her husband, Bobby, and their three children were named the National Black Family of the Year. They were chosen from more than 100 families across the United States and were honored at the National Black Family Summit in Columbia.

She and her family are members of Mt. Able Baptist Church, where she is a member of the Gospel Choir and serves as its secretary. She also is a Sunday School teacher and a deaconess.

The Mullins native received a B.S. in elementary education from Clark College, an M.Ed. in reading from Clemson University and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from South Carolina State University.