Steve Bower was nominated by Dr. Angela Wadsworth, Lecturer, Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, who says, “Steve’s keen interest in social work and mental illness issues, combined with his desire to do work that includes advocacy and public policy, is leading him to seek admission to graduate school at UNCW this fall. His critical thinking, writing and listening skills are superior; he consistently makes insightful observations and valuable contributions to classroom discussion, always in a way that puts his fellow students at ease and invariably sparks further conversation.”

Although Steve appears to be ageless, he says he’s, “over the big hill” and is happy to be graduating this spring. He was inspired by and followed the example set by two of his three children who completed degrees at Appalachian State and Carolina. Steve is majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Sociology. The awards he’s received include the Dean’s List, the Chancellor’s Achievement Award and Phi Kappa Phi. He also works as a volunteer for Bargain Box of Wilmington, New Hanover County Schools program - Quest for the Summit, and the Crisis Line/Open House in Wilmington.

The biggest challenge Steve has faced has been re-establishing the kind of skills necessary to study effectively in the classroom. After a ten year submarine career in the Navy, fifteen years as a commercial photographer followed by several years as a manager for a small printing and medical equipment company, his study skills needed to be updated. One of his biggest challenges was finding a way to personally connect and participate with his classmates – which is something that Steve enjoys; getting to know his fellow students.

Steve would like especially to thank his wife for “her encouragement, her needling and her willingness to accept a negative financial situation” while he went back to school. He’d also like to thank his professors, advisors, and especially Dr. Angela Wadsworth and Dr. Patricia Comeaux for being supportive faculty members.

When asked what kind of advice he’d like to share with other non-traditional students, he says, “be willing to ask for and accept help when needed, give it when possible, and be open to alternate ways of communicating and interacting in non-critical ways.” When he graduates, Steve would like to do graduate work in Social Work.

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The Seahawk Perch congratulates Steve Bower as our March 2006 Non-Trad of the Month!