John McDade Howell
Encyclopedia
John McDade Howell was the seventh chancellor of East Carolina University
. Dr. Howell was born in Five Points, Alabama
. In 1942, he joined the US Army Air Corps and served for three years in the European Theater, which he received a Bronze Star. After he was honorably discharged he enrolled at the University of Alabama
, earning a bachelor
's degree in journalism
in 1948 and a master
's degree in political science
the following year. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa. In 1954, Dr. Howell earned his doctorate
in political science from Duke University. He then joined the faculty as a associate professor of Political Science at Memphis State University. He then moved to Greenville, North Carolina
and joined ECU faculty in 1957 and was promoted to full professor in 1961. He then assumed many roles, including founder and first chair of the Political Science department. Than he was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
and then the Dean of the Graduate School
. He became Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in 1973 and served in that position until 1979. Returning to the classroom for a three year period (1979-1982), he assumed the position of Chancellor in 1982. They both served until his retirement from the Chancellorship in 1987 when he was named Chancellor Emeritus.
East Carolina University
East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
. Dr. Howell was born in Five Points, Alabama
Five Points, Alabama
Five Points is a town in Chambers County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 146.-History:Five Points was incorporated in 1915.Five Points is home to the first consolidated high school in the State of Alabama...
. In 1942, he joined the US Army Air Corps and served for three years in the European Theater, which he received a Bronze Star. After he was honorably discharged he enrolled at the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
, earning a bachelor
Bachelor
A bachelor is a man above the age of majority who has never been married . Unlike his female counterpart, the spinster, a bachelor may have had children...
's degree in journalism
Journalism
Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience in a timely fashion. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform the intended audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and...
in 1948 and a master
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
's degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
the following year. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa. In 1954, Dr. Howell earned his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in political science from Duke University. He then joined the faculty as a associate professor of Political Science at Memphis State University. He then moved to Greenville, North Carolina
Greenville, North Carolina
Greenville is the county seat of Pitt County and principal city of the Greenville, North Carolina metropolitan area. Greenville is the health, entertainment, and educational hub of North Carolina's Tidewater and Coastal Plain and in 2008 was listed as the Tenth Largest City in North Carolina...
and joined ECU faculty in 1957 and was promoted to full professor in 1961. He then assumed many roles, including founder and first chair of the Political Science department. Than he was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences is the liberal arts college at East Carolina University. It is composed principally of departments in mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities....
and then the Dean of the Graduate School
East Carolina University Graduate School
The Graduate School of East Carolina University consist of 69 masters degree, 41 certificate, and 18 doctoral programs. It coordinates the graduate offerings of all departments in the seven colleges and two schools. The School also runs the non-professional degree programs of the professional...
. He became Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in 1973 and served in that position until 1979. Returning to the classroom for a three year period (1979-1982), he assumed the position of Chancellor in 1982. They both served until his retirement from the Chancellorship in 1987 when he was named Chancellor Emeritus.