Joseph Bowman: From Campus D.J. to New York State Board of Regents
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Joseph Bowman, Jr., associate professor in the School of Education, credits UAlbany with offering him educational opportunities in and out of the classroom. (Photo Mark Schmidt) |
When Joseph Bowman, Jr., took the bus upstate to the University at Albany campus in 1968 to start his freshman year, he'd never seen the campus. Upon arrival, Bowman entered a world of opportunities, first as a student and later as an associate professor of educational theory and practice at UAlbany�s School of Education. Most recently, Bowman was reappointed to the New York State Board of Regents for a second five-year term.
As an undergraduate, Bowman joined UAlbany radio station WSUA, starting the Maiden Voyage jazz show in 1971.
"I started here in radio and that lead me to TV," said Bowman, who earned a bachelor�s degree in 1972, a master�s degree in library science in 1974, and a master's in education in 1975, all from UAlbany. Bowman went on to earn a doctorate from Columbia University in 1991.
Today he teaches educational television production, multi-media design, and seminars on instructional technology as an associate professor in the Department of Educational Theory and Practice. He is also director of the Center for Urban Youth and Technology (CUYT). In addition, he makes time to host the Maiden Voyage on campus radio station WCDB - 90.9 FM as O.J., playing jazz from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday evenings.
As a student at UAlbany, Bowman had a passion for telecommunications. He joined a student group called the Organization of Black United Technicians in 1971 (which later became Third World Media Arts). Under the experienced industry pros who were retired from Channel 6 and working in Educational Communications Center at UAlbany, he learned TV production.
"There were people who really wanted to teach you the field of TV," said the former EOP (Educational Opportunities Program) student. From that experience, he gained an internship at WMHT.
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From left, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Joseph Bowman, Jr., and Assemblyman John J. McEneny as Bowman is reappointed to the New York State Board of Regents. |
He now makes sure other student have opportunities.
"Everything that I do � from preparing our UAlbany students to be at ease using technology in the classroom � to providing urban and rural elementary schools students access to technology so they compete on a level playing field � is about giving young people and adults the skills they need for success," Bowman said.
"My work with the Board of Regents reflects my deeply held commitment to using technology to benefit young people and adults in a positive way. During my tenure on the Board, I have worked to create an Office of Instructional Technology, a State Educational Technology Plan, a set of Digital Literacy Standards, and to ensure that all schools, districts, and libraries have high-speed broadband capabilities," he said.
Bowman was reappointed by a joint vote of the New York State Senate and Assembly. The Regents are responsible for the general supervision of all educational activities in the state, presiding over the University and the State Education Department.
The connections don't end with Bowman's journey from student to professor at UAlbany. His wife Etwin directs the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP), and his daughter Amber is a junior at UAlbany. Daughter Alicia is a senior at Guilderland High School.
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