Home Social Landscape Featured Articles John Roy Bowett: A Life Devoted to Canadian University College

John Roy Bowett: A Life Devoted to Canadian University College

by Heather Till

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Bowett's joy in absorbing and imparting knowledge is an essential part of him. During the summer of 1966, while his wife Mildred was a student at Andrews University in Michigan, he joined her class on a tour of Europe. The director of the tour asked Bowett to give a lecture on the French Revolution while they were travelling from Paris to Versailles. For his efforts, Bowett received an honorary A from Andrews' history department. Bowett attributes much of his success as a teacher to his adherence to principles found in the Bible and in the writings of Ellen G. White, an early leader of the Adventist Church:

True education means more than the perusal of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world, and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.

Education is but the preparation of the physical, intellectual and moral powers for the best performance of all the duties of life. We are called to the service of God and our fellowmen; and to fit us for this service should be the object of our education.

Bowett has always been known for his consistent efforts to live out this ideal. His life has been one of service to his church, his community, and his school. He has, in humility and prayer, attempted to achieve his God-given potential. He is a living example of the benefits of regular exercise, a vegetarian diet, no alcohol consumption and no smoking.

Of great importance to Bowett is the health message in the teachings of the Adventist faith. He served for many years as the CUC faculty sponsor of the Temperance Club, formed of students determined to live a moderate life free from alcohol and tobacco. Since 1975, he has worked with the Alcohol and Drug Education Association, an organization begun by Adventists. He has helped to distribute information on the hazards of substance abuse to every school in the county of Lacombe. For several years, he was involved in a program aided by the Acronaires gymnastic club from CUC. The college students presented active, dramatic skits on the dangers of substance use to the elementary students. The lively format appealed to the younger students and communicated the important message. As part of this approach, Bowett and Mildred designed a T-shirt to be distributed to students. Its logo consisted of a wine glass, a cigarette and a syringe within a red circle with a bold line through it indicating "no". The slogan reads, "Not This Kid." Bowett continues to promote Listen magazine, a publication committed to positive living. He regularly helps organize Breathe Free programs to assist people to quit the smoking habit. The Bowetts work in all areas of the programs, from posting advertisements around town to baking cookies for the after-program refreshments.

Bowett is far from ready to sit back and put his feet up. As long as he remains healthy and active, he will continue to work, to learn, to serve. John Roy Bowett is the embodiment of the enduring principle behind CUC's educational philosophy. He has developed a "noble Christian character through a knowledge of God." He has prepared his "physical, intellectual, and moral powers for the best performance of all the duties of life." He has indeed achieved the objective of a "divine purpose for (his) whole being."

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From: Aspenland 1998 — Local Knowledge and Sense of Place
Edited by: David J. Goa and David Ridley
Published by: The Central Alberta Regional Museums Network (CARMN) with the assistance of the Provincial Museum of Alberta and the Red Deer and District Museum.