Life in a university science lab is not a high profile job that is full of glitz and glamour, but the importance of safely handling toxic and potentially dangerous chemicals, creating unique chemical solutions, ordering multi-syllabic chemical compounds is paramount on college campuses across the country and is one of many reasons Marion resident Carol Bowman finds herself in the spotlight.
The director of science labs at The Ohio State University at Marion, was recognized by a group of her peers with the 2009 Ohio State Marion Outstanding Staff Award. In addition, she was recently named president of the National Association of Scientific Materials Managers (NAOSMM).
Both accolades recognize the respect Bowman has garnered from colleagues at both the university she has worked for over the past 11 years and from her counterparts in the field of scientific materials managers nationwide.
The Ohio State Marion Outstanding Staff Award recognizes one employee annually who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to make the campus community a better place for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community.
Nominated by a wide ranging group of her peers on the Marion campus and beyond, Bowman’s work in the lab, the classroom, on campus, was only part of the acknowledgement.
Bowman was nominated for the Outstanding Staff Award by Dr. Deborah Ballam, associate provost for academic affairs, women's policy initiatives; director, The Women's Place. Ballam recognized Bowman’s volunteer work on Ohio State’s Critical Difference for Women committee. Critical Difference for Women is a scholarship fund that funds non-traditional women returning to college.
Gale Martin, director Marion County Historical Society nominated Bowman for her work with the local community organization. Karen Kelley, Marion County Parks director recognized Bowman’s work as secretary of Prairie Parks association and her personal assistance while Kelley was a student on campus.
“It made me really feel good that people recognized the extra effort I made for campus and students. It is always nice to be recognized by the campus and your peers. It made me very grateful to work for an organization that recognizes when someone has done a really good job, which is what that award represents.”
Bowman has worked at The Ohio State University at Marion for the past 11 years. She became director of science labs five years ago. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Science Education from The Ohio State University. Prior to her time at Ohio State, she taught chemistry and physics at Northridge High School in Licking County.
Bowman adds to her 10 year service with NAOSMM as its national president for the upcoming 2 years. NAOSMM is an organization of people who manage university/college labs across the country. The National Association of Scientific Materials Managers is a group of approximately 500 individuals involved in purchasing, receiving, warehousing, distribution, and inventory control of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, glassware and plasticware, instruments and special services in research, teaching, and research & development fields. Members work in academia, industry, or research. The board makes all the decisions for the organizations and is in charge of the organizations annual conference and tradeshow.
