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Lancaster Campus Student Earns Athena Award
from Chamber of Commerce
By Jenny LaRue
Dec 1, 2009
Ohio University-Lancaster student Samantha Bowe was presented with Lancaster Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce’s Emerging Athena Award, recognizing her service to others, her initiative and her ability to communicate.
Athena’s mission includes inspiring women to achieve their full potential and supporting, developing and honoring women leaders.
Bowe had attended classes on the Lancaster campus prior to leaving the area for military service. Upon her return from service she re-enrolled at OUL and despite some trepidation at the start, quickly became involved in campus activities.
“When I returned, as a nontraditional student, and with an infant son, I felt completely out of my element,” Bowe said. “Everyone I met directed me and nurtured me.”
Others might say Bowe returned the favor multiple times over. Prior to her graduation in June 2009 as an organizational communication major, she shared her passion and enthusiasm for education and the campus as a student assistant in the Student Services Office, as a member of L.E.A.D., as a student host on the Campus television show “OUr View;” and during her internships with the Thank You Foundation and at the Pickerington Chamber of Commerce.
Helen Mayle, director of the Pickerington Chamber of Commerce, praised Bowe for her vision and described her as organized, enthusiastic, and task driven.
“If Sam encountered a hurdle, she found a way to jump over it,” said Mayle.
Bowe’s initiative and leadership were apparent in the classroom, too, according to Candice Thomas-Maddox, acting associate dean at the Lancaster campus and professor of communication.
“Her exceptional ability to lead others became apparent in classes where group projects were assigned,” Thomas-Maddox said. “Sam took the initiative to get her groups organized, and she made sure to solicit input from every member of the team … qualities that earned her the respect of her peers and her instructors.”
Indeed, Bowe is looking toward a future in the classroom. She hopes to one day teach at the collegiate level. She began her next step toward that future this fall as a graduate student in Ohio University’s new master’s degree program in Organizational Communication, which is offered on the Lancaster campus.
Bowe said that receiving the Emerging Athena Award, which puts her in a category with other women who have been outstanding in their community and careers, is an honor.
“I’m inspired and driven by these women,” Bowe said. She also feels the responsibility of the honor and the lessons learned in the classroom. “I’m representing the teachings shared with me.”
The Emerging Athena Award recognizes creativity, initiative and collaborative leadership style. Athena’s mission includes inspiring women to achieve their full potential and supporting, developing and honoring women leaders.
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