3 minute read
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Joe Owino
by Sara Jackson
In every vocation, there is a list of giants. If one were to go into say, baseball, the list is one that’s practically universal: Lou Gehrig, Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente.
If one were in UTC’s College of Engineering and Computer Science, that list is equally as cemented: Ed Foster, Jim Henry, Tennessee Jones, Gary McDonald, and Joe Owino.
Dr. Owino grew up in a large family in Kisumu, Kenya. Neither his father nor mother attended school, but his father worked hard to become a chief. Chief Owino observed the social and materials chasms between those who had education and those who did not, and was particularly adamant his children obtain a quality education. Initially, Dr. Owino wanted to become a pilot for Kenya Air. But when he and his brother strategized about the future, Dr. Owino decided engineering would give him a wider variety of vocational opportunities.
Driven by his father’s encouragement, Dr. Owino came to the United States and obtained civil engineering degrees; his bachelor’s from the University of District of Columbia and his master’s from Howard University. He then held positions with Shell Oil, Inc., and spent several years in industry before obtaining a position with the University of Nairobi. Upon obtaining his Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. Owino came to UTC and has happily remained in Chattanooga with his wife of 40 years. Together, the Owinos raised a son and a daughter, both of whom have continued to heed the encouragement of Chief Owino and obtain robust educations.
If encountering Dr. Owino for the first time, one notices his presence immediately. He is a man of imposing physical stature, maintaining athletic skill by spending spare time on the soccer field as an official. He is, at times, quiet with a gift for listening to others and focusing on the exact genesis of a question. He is also sometimes extremely vocal, encouraging students to believe in themselves.
What elevates Dr. Owino to the ranks of giants: four years, he has been chosen as the Teacher of the Year in Engineering; five years, he has achieved outstanding performance by a faculty member; in the year 2003, he was chosen for a UC Foundation Associate Professorship; he has taught 19 different courses; he has served on 12 graduate student thesis committees; he has captured over $950,000 in research awards. Even more impactful is his deeply held philosophy that students can overcome and attain extraordinary things. His skill in the classroom, in assisting the success of all students, is legendary. As he considers the possibility of retirement, he insists that he will always teach, and he will always maintain interaction with students because that is what has made his career worthwhile.
It is clear that the observations Chief Owino made about the value of education affected his sons, daughters, and all descending generations of the Owino family. Education as the great equalizer is the driving force behind Dr. Owino’s long and successful career. As the Civil and Chemical Engineering Department Head, he is firmly cemented on the best list any teacher aspires to - the many hearts and minds of students whose lives have been changed for the better.
I have been very fortunate to have Joe as a valued colleague and friend over the past 23 years. Joe often goes the “extra mile” in helping his students. I have seen Joe teach many “extra help sessions” on weeknights, on Friday afternoons, on Saturdays, and even on Sunday evenings to help students.
