The Evelyn S. Bowyer Scholarship is endowed in memory of Evelyn S. Bowyer (BBA Finance '89), longtime Georgia State employee, by family, friends and colleagues. This award is given to an undergraduate or graduate student majoring in finance.
A Message from Evelyn's son, John Bowyer: Remembering Mom on Our Birthday
On my birthday this year, I would like to remember my mom, Evelyn S. Bowyer. She died on the 6th of September 2001. Twenty years ago, this year. While she was in hospice and suffering, she would not let go of clinging to life until after August 31st, the birthday of my twin brother and I. Her goal in life was to celebrate us one more time. She was so brave and stubborn. There is nothing more genuine than the smile of your mom. What makes it so much more impressive, was life was not fair to her.
Her husband and my dad, Harry, who she worked hard to put through law school, divorced her when we were two. Then, shortly after the divorce, he had health and life challenges where he was never able to provide her with child support. She never said a harsh word about him to us.
After she was left with no support and only a high school education, she worked two or more jobs and went to night school for over a decade to get her degree in finance from Georgia State.
In his early 20s my brother became afflicted with many of the health problems and life challenges that afflicted my father. She continued to pour her love into us, despite our challenges, until her dying day. She did not suffer the curse of a bitter person seeking a just world here that does not exist. She knows where that world is and is enjoying it now.
I write better than I speak. By the grace of God, my most effective and inspirational spoken words were delivered at her funeral.
I was able to communicate a few of her beliefs.
- You can't make someone else happy; happiness is their own personal choice.
- Don't Whine, Don't Interrupt and Be Honest.
- Be Creative.
She told a joke about me once, where I asked someone what they thought was my best feature, charming good looks, charisma, etc. The response she said was my creativity. I'm not a perfect person. I still whine. I still interrupt. I did not save the card she tried so hard to stay alive to give to me. I don't help my brother with his challenges to the extent I would like.
While we are young, our parents often think a lot of their work is in vain. But after a certain age in adulthood, we start to remember and pick and choose the pieces of their wisdom that stick. The best way you can help your community and your country is to actively help someone personally. Whether it is giving time to a mentor organization like Big Brothers which she enrolled me in as a child and I now try to serve or creating a scholarship of any size to invest personally in people.
As a single woman in finance, she was excited to help other women in finance.
Life is handled best by investing personally rather than politically.
Invest wisely!
http://thestateday.gsu.edu/bowyer
I will personally match donations up to 1,500 dollars.
We did it again! With the support of the entire Panther Family, we set many new records this year on Georgia State Day. More than 2,700 gifts generated over $930,000. Donors supported 258 university initiatives and unlocked 54 challenges and matching gift opportunities.
Thousands of Panthers roared to celebrate Georgia State Day. Our fourth annual day of giving has raised more than $823,000 from 2,530 gifts, and we're still counting!
Thanks to the thousands of donors who helped support Georgia State's students, colleges, programs, and centers over the last 1 day, 9 hours, and 13 minutes.
As we finalize counting our gifts, we hope you will check back here to see our final count.
