Levi J. Rowan

Levi John Rowan (August 7, 1871 – June 28, 1934) was an American academic administrator, educator, and photographer. He served two terms as the president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University) a historically black public university in Lorman, Mississippi. He also used the name L. J. Rowan.

Levi John Rowan
7th President of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College
In office 1905–1911
Preceded by	William H. Lanier
Succeeded by	John Adams Martin
9th President of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College
In office 1915–1934
Preceded by	John Adams Martin
Succeeded by	Isiah S. Sanders
Personal details
Born	August 7, 1871 Rodney, Mississippi, United States
Died	June 28, 1934 Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States
Resting place	Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States
Spouse	Mattie Foote (m. 1896–)
Children	4
Education	Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College
Occupation	Academic administrator, college president, teacher, photographer

Life and career

Levi John Rowan was born in August 7, 1871, in Rodney, Mississippi, to parents Martha (née Walker) and Sidney Rowan.^[1][2] He graduated with a B.S. degree in May 1893 from Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College (now Alcorn State University).^[1][2]

In 1896, Rowan married Mattie Foote, and they had four daughters.^[2] After graduation, Rowan taught for 5 years near his hometown of Rodney, Mississippi.^[3]

In 1905, he became the 7th president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College, a role he held until 1911 when he was succeeded by John Adams Martin.^[4] After his first term, Rowan taught English at Alcorn.^[1] He served as second term as president of Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical College from 1915 until 1934.^[4] During his tenure as president, the campus was expanded.^[1][5]

Death and legacy

Rowan died on June 28, 1934, in a hospital in Vicksburg, Mississippi.^[6] He had been sick, and suffered from kidney disease and heart disease.^[6]

From 1950 until 2017, the Rowan School (or L. J. Rowan Middle School) in Jackson, Mississippi was named in his honor.^[1][7]

An exhibition of his photography was held at the Columbus–Lowndes Public Library in 2017.^[8] The Levi J. Rowan Photograph Collection is held at the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University.^[2]