T HE P O W E R OF T HE
MULTIPLIER EFFECT
For universities, the benefits of endowed faculty are clear: They attract and retain leading scholars and are investments that last far into the future while protecting the university’s operating budget. But what about the donors themselves? For many, the reward is heartfelt, deep, and personal. They are able to thank the University and the outstanding professors who made such a difference in their lives while helping generations of new students experience that same rich education. BY JANELLE VONASEK, ’89 | SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR, UND TODAY
TOM OWENS, ’68, was not yet 30 when
“He was one of the best professors I had,” said retired chemical engineer Kristi Brindle, ’78, who helped spearhead the endowment. “He had such an easy way of communicating. There was room for humor, and you always could tell he enjoyed being around his students and his faculty.”
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do for sure when I grew up,” Owens said with a laugh. “But I wasn’t there very long before I realized that wasn’t the place for me. I had the opportunity to stay, but there was absolutely no question what I needed to do.
He also had a knack for getting to know his students, giving them confidence and opening their eyes to new possibilities. For example, Brindle said it was Owens who suggested she major in chemical engineering. The first-generation college student took that advice and went on to have a long and successful career with Texaco in Colorado.
he faced a career choice: academia or Exxon. A UND assistant professor of chemical engineering at the time, Owens packed up his home and young family to head to Houston for a yearlong consulting residency with the oil and gas giant in 1973.
“I realized my place was back with my students in the classroom. I knew UND was the right place for me, so it was no contest to come back.” UND can be glad he did. So can the 800-some chemical engineering students whom Owens would come to challenge, mentor and inspire over his 33 years here. Owens proved to be such an exceptional teacher that his students eventually did their own extraordinary thing: They banded together to endow a professorship in his name. 12
Today, Brindle and a donor list that includes hundreds of former students have paid tribute to their mentor by establishing and providing ongoing support to the Thomas C. Owens Chair of Chemical Engineering Endowment. They hope their gifts will continue to help UND recruit and retain the “best of the best” faculty and the most capable students.
