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News
Local Foundation Gift Will Fund Science Initiatives At Dowling College
$680,000 Enables Model Classroom, Library Expansion, Scholarships
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OAKDALE, NY - The science classroom of the future is among the
resources made possible through a gift of $680,000 to Dowling College
from the Atomic Research Foundation, a science education foundation
established by Harold McGowan, a longtime resident of Central Islip. The
funds will also provide for an expansion of the library at Dowling's
Brookhaven Campus in Shirley and scholarships for Dowling students
pursuing degrees in the sciences. Previously the McGowan family donated
to the Dowling College library approximately 4,000 books on various
topics.
"As a young man Dad did not have the opportunity for an education
beyond high school," commented Janice Nepsee, McGowan's daughter and
president of his foundation. "He would be honored to know that his
legacy is represented at Dowling College."
In 1932 Mr. McGowan arrived in Central Islip with a truck and a
toolbox. He went on to build hundreds of homes in the area, many of
which he rented and sold to young families moving east from New York
City. As he established financial stability, he married, raised a
family, and embarked on his own research and writing. "The study of
energy, genetics, medicine, space exploration and wave frequencies
fascinated him and kept his mind busy," Ms. Nepsee recalled. "His
curiosity was insatiable."
In addition to constructing many homes and buildings in Central Islip,
Mr. McGowan built houses at Camp Upton during World War II, the bunkers
at Montauk's Camp Hero, and the bathhouses at Heckscher State Park in
East Islip. He was also an active member of the community, founding the
Central Islip Little League in 1954.
"Harold McGowan was one of Suffolk County's great pioneers,"
stated Robert J. Gaffney, president of Dowling College. "He was a
self-made man with boundless curiosity. While he did not have a formal
education, he appreciated the value of schooling. His rich legacy has
been enhanced through this generous gift, which will inspire future
generations in the study of science."
The state-of-the-art science classroom is scheduled to be completed in
December at Dowling's Brookhaven Campus in Shirley. It will feature a
ceiling-mounted digital data projector, which will project onto a
Polyvision white board that will enable both students and teachers to
interact on the same document or image. A series of controllable Sony
SNC-RZ25 mpeg digital cameras will be placed throughout the classroom to
enable outside observers to assess student teachers. To provide ultimate
flexibility in a variety of lessons, the room will be outfitted with
moveable furniture, PC workstations for group projects, and several
laptop computers.
"This truly is a model classroom for educators. We are excited at the
prospect of having our education majors learn hands-on in this setting,
and we invite local school teachers to get a glimpse of how science will
be taught in the future," said Michael DeLuise, Vice President of
Development and External Affairs.
About Dowling College
Dowling College is an independent, coeducational college that serves more than 6,500 students at
its historic Rudolph Campus on the banks of the Connetquot River in Oakdale, NY, and the 105-acre
Brookhaven Campus in eastern Long Island and a business center located near the Nassau-Suffolk
border in Melville. Dowling offers Bachelor′s, Master′s, and Doctoral degrees in several
disciplines through its four schools: Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Education.
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