Levi J. Rowan

Levi John Rowan
7th President of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College
In office
1905–1911
Preceded byWilliam H. Lanier
Succeeded byJohn Adams Martin
9th President of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College
In office
1915–1934
Preceded byJohn Adams Martin
Succeeded byIsiah S. Sanders
Personal details
Born(1871-08-07)August 7, 1871
Rodney, Mississippi, United States
DiedJune 28, 1934(1934-06-28) (aged 62)
Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States
Resting placeVicksburg, Mississippi, United States
SpouseMattie Foote (m. 1896–)
Children4
EducationAlcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College
OccupationAcademic 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

Levi John Rowan was born on August 7, 1871, in Rodney, Mississippi, to parents Martha (née Walker) and Sidney Rowan. He graduated with a B.S. degree in May 1893 from Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University).

In 1896, Rowan married Mattie Foote, and they had four daughters. After graduation, Rowan taught for 5 years near his hometown of Rodney, Mississippi.

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. After his first term, Rowan taught English at Alcorn. He served as second term as president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College from 1915 until 1934. During his tenure as president, the campus was expanded.

Death and legacy

Rowan died on June 28, 1934, in a hospital in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He had been sick, and suffered from kidney disease and heart disease.

From 1950 until 2017, the Rowan School (or L. J. Rowan Middle School) in Jackson, Mississippi was named in his honor.

An exhibition of his photography was held at the Columbus–Lowndes Public Library in 2017. The Levi J. Rowan Photograph Collection is held at the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Rowan School Named for Alcorn President". The Clarion-Ledger. December 30, 1956 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Levi J. Rowan Photograph Collection" (PDF). Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 23, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Here's who Jackson's public schools are named after". The Clarion-Ledger. December 4, 1994. p. 60 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 "Alcorn State University: Past Presidents". Alcorn State University. Archived from the original on March 22, 2013.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. 1 2 "Dr. L. J. Rowan, President of Alcorn College, Dies". The Call (Kansas City) (obituary). July 6, 1934. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ Harris, Bracey. "JPS to close Rowan Middle School; other mergers possible". The Clarion-Ledger. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Rowan's historic images explore African American middle class". The Dispatch. January 14, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2025.