Edward Emerson Towell, Professor Emeritus
1913-2003
Edward Emerson Towell a former dean and professor of chemistry of the College of Charleston, died Sunday June 22, 2003 at age 89. Towell taught chemistry for five years at the High School of Charleston, starting in 1936, and physics and chemistry at the college starting in 1943. He was academic dean at the college from 1958 to 1964, then returned to teaching. He served as chief administrative officer while the school was becoming a state institution in 1968. He became dean again that year and retired in 1976, when he was named professor emeritus of chemistry. In 1986, he received the college's Founder's Medal Award. The admissions office, which used to be the college library, is named for him. A chemistry scholarship was established in his name in 1989. Towell was known as a demanding professor who enforced discipline. He always taught in a coat and tie and lamented the increasingly casual dress code among students and teachers. Former Gov. James Edwards, one of Towell's former students, once called Towell "one of the all-time great teachers." Towell was married to the former Clarissa Dunbar Kennedy of Charleston, who died in 1996. He attended the High School of Charleston and graduated from the College of Charleston with honors in 1934. He received a doctor of philosophy degree from the University of North Carolina in 1944. Towell, who helped found the college's chemistry department, was a member of the American Chemistry Society, Society of Sigma Phi, S.C. Academy of Science, Alpha Chi Sigma and the Charleston Chemical Engineers' Club. He was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Towell was born in Baxley, Georgia in 1913. His family moved to Charleston in 1923 and he attended the High School of Charleston. He graduated from the College in 1934 as the second honor graduate. He served as President of the Senior Class, a student assistant in chemistry, and was elected as a member of Sigma Alpha Phi, the honorary scholastic fraternity. He received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
He then returned to the College of Charleston serving as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Physics (1944-46), an Associate Professor of Chemistry (1946-48), and as a Professor of Chemistry (1948-75). He served as Academic Dean of the College from 1958-1964 and then again from 1968-1970. During the sumer of 1968 while the College was becoming a state institution he served as the chief administrative officer for the school. In 1970 he was elected as an Honorary Member of the Alumni Association. The building which currently houses the Admission Office, the College's former library, is named for him.
Upon his retirment in 1975 he was named Professor Enmeritus of Chemistry. In 1986 he received the College's prestigious Founders Award. In 1989 and endowed scholarship in his honor was established by his friends and former students. His wife, the former Clarissa Dunbar Kennedy, Class of '33, preceded him in death on February 1, 1996.
< Dr. Towell is survived by a sister, Anela T. Rourk of Charleston; five nieces, Sarah R. Mercier and Julie R. Jarrett of Charleston, Phyllis R. Madren of Roswell, Ga., Judy H. Brugman of Altamonte Springs, Fla., and Nancy H. Whitaker of Grovetown, Ga.; four nephews, E. Lawton Rourk, Robert E. Rourk and Edward T. Rourk all of Charleston and Allen W. Hardwicke of Altoona, Fla.; his faithful and loving caregiver, Martha Goss and a host of grand-nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a sister, Fatima T. Stiles. Dr. Towell was truly a "gentle man," who will be lovingly missed by his family, friends, former students and colleagues to whom he gave so generously of himself.
His funeral service was held at 1 p.m., June 24, 2003, at the JAMES A. MCALISTER CHAPEL, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Burial was held privately.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Towell's name to: Hospice of Charleston, 3896 Leeds Ave., North Charleston, S.C. 29405, Pinecrest Baptist Church, Kitchen Renovation Fund, 1285 Ashley Hall Road, Charleston, S.C. 29407, or to the Dr. Edward Emerson Towell, Chemistry Scholarship Fund, c/o College of Charleston, 81 St. Philip St., Charleston, S.C. 29403. Arrangements are by James A. McAlister, Inc. 766-1365.
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