Emily S. Bowles Endowed Scholarship

Attending her local community college, Emily Sutherland Bowles earned a nursing degree. Later she attended Radford University, where she juggled the roles of mother and wife, earning a bachelors degree in primary education at the age of 41. Described as cheerful and vigorous, with a special connection to younger children, Emily found her calling as an elementary school teacher in Virginia. The Sutherland family’s connections to Sandhills extend beyond Emily’s scholarship. Barbara knew Sandhills President Dr. John Dempsey, and shared his fondness for golf. Molly Gwinn, sister of Emily and daughter of Barbara, has taught in the SCC Fine Arts Department and has given lectures on art at the college.

Her untimely death came just five years after completing her degree at Radford. To honor her memory, Emily’s mother, Barbara Sutherland, established the Emily S. Bowles Endowed Scholarship at Sandhills. The Emily S. Bowles Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a first-year student in any program with financial need; student may receive the scholarship in their second year if qualified; if same student receives the scholarship in the second year, scholarship will be awarded every other year.