Charlene Setlow For Women In Science
Charlene Setlow For Women In Science
C
harlene Setlow’s life experiences left her in no doubt as to how much more difficult it is for a woman from a lower income family to pursue higher education, particularly in the sciences. High school aptitude tests showed Charlene scored close to 100% in both math and mechanics; but this was 1960 in rural Washington and Charlene was female. Her high school counselor advised her to become a parking lot attendant! Luckily, Charlene took that advice with a grain of salt. Although working two jobs, she enrolled in business courses, and began her pursuit of a college degree. Marriage, and helping support her mother, intervened; it was to be a quarter century before Charlene realized her dream. In the meantime, she eked out a living, but continued to squeeze in every college course she could. Charlene managed to earn A.A. degrees which enabled her to work in data processing and to teach at a junior college, but she was not working to her potential. Neither was she earning more than a very basic living. Then she found a university extension program at San Jose State which enabled her to finally earn a B.A. Armed with her degree, she landed a job as a computer programmer. Her earnings immediately increased, and her middle years have blessed her with a comfortable lifestyle. Determined to assist other women in overcoming the obstacles she faced, Charlene decided to dedicate her estate to a science scholarship for women. Living frugally and investing well have enabled Charlene to do this. She investigated several colleges before finding a match for her passion — the Mount, where we are committed to graduating deserving women who excel in science. Thank you, Charlene, we are very grateful that you chose the Mount!
Hank and Carla Bowman, Soulmates (Continued from page 1)
was offered a position teaching biology and microbiology at the new Mission College in Sylmar. Carla was instrumental in establishing the college’s science department, and went on to become Chair of the Math and Science department. Hank describes their life together as having been very busy, if not hectic, but says he wouldn’t have changed a thing. After a spell in Van Nuys, they settled in Northridge in 1960, and became very active in Our Lady of Peace parish. Hank credits the Christian Family movement, which focused on better communication within the family, with helping the couple to create a better home life. He and Carla loved to collect Fry glassware. When Carla took a sabbatical in 1986, they travelled the U.S. in a motorhome for six months. During the trip, they learned that the H.C. Fry Glass Club was having its first show, and hightailed
2
The Guardian • Mount St. Mary’s College • January 2011
it from Florida to Rochester in Pennsylvania to catch the show. The friends they made at the show remain in contact to this day. On September 19, 1993, Hank and Carla drove to San Diego to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary; the next morning, Carla very unexpectedly suffered cardiac arrest and passed away. Despite the cheeriness with which Hank invariably greets us all, he continues to miss Carla deeply. To honor her dedication to education, he has established scholarship funds for science students here at the Mount, and also at Mission College. Hank also funded the renovation of the Carla and Hank Bowman Microbiology Lab at the Mount’s Chalon campus. Many students have, and many more will, benefit from the gifts that Carla inspired. If they are also fortunate enough to find the love that Hank and Carla shared, their lives will be blessed indeed.
C
harlene Setlow’s life experiences left her in no doubt as to how much more difficult it is for a woman from a lower income family to pursue higher education, particularly in the sciences. High school aptitude tests showed Charlene scored close to 100% in both math and mechanics; but this was 1960 in rural Washington and Charlene was female. Her high school counselor advised her to become a parking lot attendant! Luckily, Charlene took that advice with a grain of salt. Although working two jobs, she enrolled in business courses, and began her pursuit of a college degree. Marriage, and helping support her mother, intervened; it was to be a quarter century before Charlene realized her dream. In the meantime, she eked out a living, but continued to squeeze in every college course she could. Charlene managed to earn A.A. degrees which enabled her to work in data processing and to teach at a junior college, but she was not working to her potential. Neither was she earning more than a very basic living. Then she found a university extension program at San Jose State which enabled her to finally earn a B.A. Armed with her degree, she landed a job as a computer programmer. Her earnings immediately increased, and her middle years have blessed her with a comfortable lifestyle. Determined to assist other women in overcoming the obstacles she faced, Charlene decided to dedicate her estate to a science scholarship for women. Living frugally and investing well have enabled Charlene to do this. She investigated several colleges before finding a match for her passion — the Mount, where we are committed to graduating deserving women who excel in science. Thank you, Charlene, we are very grateful that you chose the Mount!
Hank and Carla Bowman, Soulmates (Continued from page 1)
was offered a position teaching biology and microbiology at the new Mission College in Sylmar. Carla was instrumental in establishing the college’s science department, and went on to become Chair of the Math and Science department. Hank describes their life together as having been very busy, if not hectic, but says he wouldn’t have changed a thing. After a spell in Van Nuys, they settled in Northridge in 1960, and became very active in Our Lady of Peace parish. Hank credits the Christian Family movement, which focused on better communication within the family, with helping the couple to create a better home life. He and Carla loved to collect Fry glassware. When Carla took a sabbatical in 1986, they travelled the U.S. in a motorhome for six months. During the trip, they learned that the H.C. Fry Glass Club was having its first show, and hightailed
2
The Guardian • Mount St. Mary’s College • January 2011
it from Florida to Rochester in Pennsylvania to catch the show. The friends they made at the show remain in contact to this day. On September 19, 1993, Hank and Carla drove to San Diego to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary; the next morning, Carla very unexpectedly suffered cardiac arrest and passed away. Despite the cheeriness with which Hank invariably greets us all, he continues to miss Carla deeply. To honor her dedication to education, he has established scholarship funds for science students here at the Mount, and also at Mission College. Hank also funded the renovation of the Carla and Hank Bowman Microbiology Lab at the Mount’s Chalon campus. Many students have, and many more will, benefit from the gifts that Carla inspired. If they are also fortunate enough to find the love that Hank and Carla shared, their lives will be blessed indeed.
