Bowen teaching fencing to a student

It is with a heavy heart to announce the passing of Dr. John Bowen on January 16, 2022, after struggling with a long illness.  John joined the University of Central Oklahoma in August of 2000 and retired in May 2018.  John received a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Central State University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Oklahoma State University.  At UCO he taught General Chemistry I lab, Quantitative Analysis lecture and lab, and Instrumental Analysis lecture and lab.

He was an active faculty member who coordinated the departmental seminar program.  Among his other activities, he was a member of various task forces for the College and University, a co-sponsor of the Forensic Science and Chemistry Clubs, collaborated on projects with the University of Wyoming, worked with GEAR-UP, was an advisor for the Gold Key Honor Society and Fencing Club.

Old newspaper article

John co-authored papers published in various chemical journals, received funding for his research from the Office of Research and Grants, and mentored students who presented papers at Research Day and at the ACS national meeting. John particularly loved to be outdoors.  He had interests in mountaineering, skiing, caving, and especially whitewater rafting.

John was kind and soft-spoken. He always had time for other faculty members and students.  He will be missed by all of us at UCO.

Buddy Broncho

Buddy Broncho made his first appearance in UCO's own newspaper The Vista. It was the October 3, 1932, issue where a Broncho appears wearing a UCO football uniform. He has appeared numerous times throughout the years from local Edmond papers in the 60's to state-wide papers in the 80's. The commissioning of the first ever live mascot appears in UCO's 1979 Bronze Book where Buddy Broncho made his first public appearance at Homecoming. Since that time, Buddy has been a fixture at UCO events and in the hearts of UCO students.