I think you're from somewhere south of Bluffton, but I'm not sure where...could you fill us in on that?
I was born and raised in Gahanna, Ohio (think Easton area in Columbus) but my parents are from Southern, Ohio - Gallia County and Lawrence County, so I spent lots of summers at my grandparents farm.
You were a dancer for most of your childhood, correct? What type of dance?
Yes - I started when I was 4 or 5 and danced until I was a junior in high school. Pinnell Dance Studio - we basically went to school during the day and then someone's mom would take us from school straight to the studio. We would have classes until 10 p.m. most nights. We would do our homework in between classes. On Saturday mornings we would have classes for our competition groups (we had to audition for spots on these groups each year). We traveled all over the U.S. doing competitions. We also attended dance conventions/workshops in Chicago and New York often. I did everything... tap, jazz, ballet, baton, lyrical and even break dancing... when it was cool the first time around. At lot of people I danced with went on to professional careers as Rockettes, as dancers on Broadway productions, some run their own studios now. Some even started a company that runs a national dance competition... two people even won it all on Star Search in the 1980's. I stopped my senior year because of a conflict with concert band. Our HS concert band was selected to perform in Chicago at a national music conference. The practices conflicted. I chose concert band. I'm not sure it was the best choice. I have always regretted "giving up" my senior year as a dancer.
What musical instrument(s) did you play? When did you start taking lessons?
I can't recall when I started taking piano lessons. They didn't last long because of my dance schedule. Most piano teachers aren't up for lessons at 10 p.m. or on Sunday afternoons. In the fifth grade I started band and played trumpet. In high school, since I could read bass clef from my piano days... I switched to bassoon. I loved the bassoon. It is the most misunderstood instrument of all time.
I assume you were in marching band in high school and maybe junior high. Did you choose Ohio University because you wanted to be in the band or was there another reason that led you there? You played an instrument but were you also field commander at one point?
I started marching band in HS. I thought the flag corps was so cool... way better than marching trumpet. And... marching bassoon wasn't an option, so I was a flag. I was not field commander but I was section leader of the flags for two years. During college I took percussion lessons from a music professor. Xylophone is my favorite too. I chose Ohio University for the nationally ranked E.W. Scripts School of Journalism. I had never seen their marching band. I got a letter in the mail inviting me to join and I showed up for camp. WOW... what a life changing experience that was!!
Tell me about your years at OU. I know you were active in several organizations - at least several. You received an alumni award from OU a few years ago. Were you surprised?
Ohio University was the most transformational experience for me. I loved it so much I stayed for 5 years! I was in the Marching 110 for all five years and that is where I met my husband. I am also a lifetime member of Tau Beta Sigma - an honorary band sorority. I was a student assistant for the Kennedy Museum of Art. After I graduated I was a founding board member of the Marching Band Society of Alumni and Friends (an alumni/fundraising association for the marching band). In 2003 I received the Charles J. and Claire O. Ping Recent Graduate Award for involvement with Ohio University and excellence in their chosen field. (Ping was president when I was at OU). I was nominated by my section leader from my freshman year. It was truly an honor. My co-recipient was Piper Perabo (actress from Coyote Ugly and other movies). We were in school together so it was cool to get the award with her.
You were an art history major - what inspired that decision? Did you have any idea what you'd do once you graduated?
I went to OU to be a newspaper journalist. During my junior year I switched to art history. I took some art history classes as gen ed requirements and I loved the study of art. I enjoyed writing 30-page papers comparing and contrasting different periods of art. I know now that art history is really a hobby/area of interest for me. I had no interest to continue onto graduate school as a professional researcher. What it did provide for me was a job with a historical house museum. That is where I found the balance with communication, marketing, event planning, fundraising...basically... the field of Public Relations.
Did you and your husband meet at OU?
Yes, Jeff and I met at OU...at band camp. Ha!! He had a girlfriend and I was dating someone else. We started dating in second quarter of his freshman year. We dated for almost six years before we got married. A year and a half of that was our engagement. We wanted to get married at the chapel at OU, and there is historically a LONG waiting list to get a date at Galbraith Chapel. We were married July 20, 2002.
Do you play in the OU alumni band every year? What pulls you back there?
We do try to play in the alumni band every year at homecoming. I had to take a break when I was pregnant and a few times Bluffton's homecoming and OU's have been on the same weekend. When that happens, I choose Bluffton and Jeff goes to Athens.
What was your first job? What were your responsibilities?
My first job was as a volunteer... selling hotdogs and OSU merchandise at the "shoe" on football Saturday's. My mom was part of a service club and the profit we made went to Children's Hospital. My first paid job was working at my friend's parents flower shop cutting flowers and taking orders. During college I worked every summer and Christmas break for Suburban News Publications where we produced 30+ weekly papers for the suburbs of Cols. That was probably my first "real" job since I was hired based on my resume and not because someone knew me.
How did you end up at Bluffton? Who was the first person you met here?
For the first year we were married, I was still working in Columbus. I commuted back and forth for a year. I always said working in higher ed would be a dream job for me. My college experience was so important to me...and I wanted to be part of providing that experience for others. One of Jeff's co-workers was a Bluffton alum and told Jeff Bluffton had an opening in their development staff. Stan Clemens hired me so I guess he was the first person I met. Or Julie Hadding...she was his administrative assistant.
What do you enjoy most about your current job? How many media calls and/or e-mails do you receive each day?
I feel most fulfilled when we get to share the stories of student and faculty successes. Honestly... that is what it is all about for me. I get about 200 e-mails each day. I'm on a lot of media feeds and we do 90% of our work by e-mail.
How old is your son? Who does he resemble most in personality - you or your husband? A good mix? How will he ever decide which instrument to play?
Jackson is three. Jeff's mom says he is "just like Jeff". So I'll go with that. He already has a keyboard and drum pad. He wants a guitar for Christmas.
I've heard that you love to golf so much that you bought (or built) a house on the edge of a golf course? Any golf balls ever come crashing through your windows? How often do you play? Did (do) you ever play competitively?
Knock on wood... no broken windows yet. We do have dents in our siding and our AC unit. The Youngys have been such a blessing... they are doing amazing work to the Hidden Creek course and in a few more years...it will be one of the best courses in the area. I play in the Bluffton women's league. They are so kind and gracious to let me play with them. I am really, really bad. All of the women in the league are amazing golfers. I need to play more often to get better. I would golf all day if I could.
So...regarding your recent Thanksgiving "accident", what's it feel like to drop a turkey platter on your toe? How lucky is it to have so many professionals in one house at the same time? How's that toe feeling by now?
Wow. That hurt and three weeks later... it still hurts. The majority of the Bowlus family are medical professionals. So I was lucky to have most of them in our house for Thanksgiving dinner - two MD's, five nurses, one acupuncturist, a medical device engineer and a drug rep. We were missing the podiatrist and the geneticist. Next year I'll be sure to make sure the podiatrist comes.
Where do you imagine yourself 10 years from now? Still living on that golf course?
In 10 years, Jeff and I hope to be caddies for Jackson. Maybe on the junior tour with Luke, Kira and their son.
