Jane Barringer Bowen Educational Fund Established
The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of a new educational fund honoring the memory of a former E. C. Glass High School teacher. The Jane Barringer Bowen Educational Fund will provide an annual scholarship for an E. C. Glass High School college-bound senior for study in the Theater Arts or English.
Jane Barringer Bowen, or “Miss Barringer” as she was known by most of her students, taught in the English department at E.C. Glass from 1957 to 1963. According to former students of hers, “She was that special kind of challenging and exciting teacher who inspired excellence and changed lives.” Her students, friends, and family are establishing this fund as a perpetual memorial to her to benefit future E.C Glass students.
Julia Jane Barringer Bowen, 79, of Lynchburg, died on May 20, 2009. The wife of Brian Bowen for nearly 47 years, she is survived by three children and their families. She was born in Norwood, North Carolina and graduated from Catawba College in Salisbury, N.C., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater. She later did graduate studies for her master’s degree at UNC, Chapel Hill.
She began her acting career by touring with the Carolina Playmakers and performed for three seasons in The Lost Colony with Andy Griffith. She also worked with stock companies in Camden, Maine and Baltimore, Maryland, appearing in productions with Talullah Bankhead, Mae West, Eva Gabor, Billie Burke, Elaine Stritch and Margaret O’Brian.
She moved to Lynchburg when she accepted a position at E.C. Glass High School, teaching sophomore, junior and senior English. She coached the awardwinning debate team and directed several theater productions, including one that won state-wide honors. Many of her former students credit “Miss Barringer” with the inspiration to succeed in their academic careers.
Later she taught theater at Lynchburg College and appeared in many plays presented by The Little Theater, The Fine Arts Center and the Junior Woman’s Club. An active and faithful member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, she also was a member of the Woman’s Club, The Fine Arts Center and Oakwood Country Club.
In making this announcement, Stuart Fauber, President & CEO of The Community Foundation, expressed great pride in adding the fund to The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation’s family of funds in memory of a devoted teacher and friend. The Community Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to receive and manage permanent gifts for perpetual benefit of the Greater Lynchburg area.
Contributions to this fund may be sent to: The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation, 101 Paulette Circle, Suite B, Lynchburg, VA 24502. Those who make gifts to the fund by December 31, 2010 will be on the list of founding donors.
Additional information concerning The Jane Barringer Bowen Educational Fund is available at The Community Foundation office at 434.845.6500 or on the website at www.lynchburgfoundation.org.
The Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation has served Central Virginia since 1972, rendering a valuable service to the community and to donors interested in the present and future of their communities and their neighbors. In 2010, The Community Foundation gave over $1.4 million to meet essential needs in our region.
December 1, 2010