Bill Stowe Remembered for Challenging and Inspiring His Students
BY AVERY COPELAND
Dr. William “Bill” Blackstone Stowe, a beloved Gardner-Webb professor of communication studies and the department’s first chairman, passed away on Sept. 22, 2023.
Stowe earned a bachelor’s degree from St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C and a master’s degree from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. He completed his higher education with a Ph.D. in Renaissance literature from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
After 16 years teaching in the English Department at Gardner-Webb, Stowe played a pivotal role in establishing the Communication Studies Departmentin 1981, serving as its first department chair. He also served as director and chair of numerous other campus programs, including advising the campus newspaper, “The Pilot,” and the college yearbook, “The Web.” Stowe was even involved in Gardner-Webb achieving University status in 1993.
Known as one of the campus’ most demanding and rigorous professors, Stowe aimed to challenge his students and deepen their understanding of communication studies. Darryl Richie,a former student of Stowe, commented on Stowe’s Facebook page that his Communication Theory and Rhetoric and Grammar courses “neutered the misconception that Communications was an easy degree to get.”
Despite Stowe’s dedication to challenging his students, they admired his ability to inspire personal and academic growth, shaping them into well-rounded thinkers. “Dr. Stowe provided opportunities for me time and time again to mature as a student and a person. He was a constant presence– there to remind me that I was more than I could imagine,” recalled Noel T. Manning II, another former student.
Following 30 devoted years to Gardner-Webb, Stowe became a licensed building contractor, constructing single- family homes in Cleveland County, including a development in Boiling Springs. His passion for building began in 1975 when he and his wife, Tollie Stowe, helped build their own home in Polkville, N.C.
Stowe’s dedication to teaching extended beyond academia. He led Sunday school classes at Shelby (N.C.) Presbyterian Church on the representation of Christianity in classical literature.
Stowe was an active member of the Greater Shelby Community Theater,
performing in multiple productions and serving on the board. He also contributed to developing the Cleveland County Arts Council and acted as communication chairman for the local Friendship Force chapter.
Former student, Dawn Tolbert reflected on Stowe’s profound impact during her time as his student, commenting, “He saw me for the people-pleaser I was ... and would spend the next four years trying to toughen me up, always encouraging me to ‘not let the bad guys get you down.’”
Avery Copeland, of Atlanta, Ga., is a senior English major.
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