Towns change; they grow or diminish, but hometowns remain as we left them and as we remember them.
Mae Rowland taught typing and shorthand.
Mae Rowland taught typing and shorthand.
To share your memories of Mrs. Rowland please use the ‘Website contact’ button at the top of the page and please include your name and class year.
Pat (Mitchell) Dunn , Class of 1971
Oh, I just LOVED Mrs. Rowland!!! She was amazingly good and taught us all so well. She expected the best of us and would not settle for less. She was sharp! I read so many comments about her from previous classmates but wanted to be sure that she was not forgotten by my later class of '71.
I still remember much of my shorthand, though have never needed it for work. (Now that is another subject: E. L. Davenport, teaching not only U.S. history, but driver's ed, and I drive for a living,having an excellent driver's record for 25 years at work and LOVE it!)
Mae Rowland: the memories of my fond school days will live when all else is gone. (from school song) She is one of those fond memories! I never forget her!
Oh, I just LOVED Mrs. Rowland!!! She was amazingly good and taught us all so well. She expected the best of us and would not settle for less. She was sharp! I read so many comments about her from previous classmates but wanted to be sure that she was not forgotten by my later class of '71.
I still remember much of my shorthand, though have never needed it for work. (Now that is another subject: E. L. Davenport, teaching not only U.S. history, but driver's ed, and I drive for a living,having an excellent driver's record for 25 years at work and LOVE it!)
Mae Rowland: the memories of my fond school days will live when all else is gone. (from school song) She is one of those fond memories! I never forget her!
Mary Sue (Bailey) Collins, Class of 1966
I had Mrs. Rowland for shorthand and made good grades. In fact, she just knew that I was going to take her all the way to “state” in 1966. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the competitive type and failed miserably at the first competition—a disappointment for her I’m sure. I did, however, make my living as a secretary for many years and did quite well because I had an excellent teacher who taught me the value of proper spelling and grammar as well as the “art of shorthand”—something that comes in handy even today!
I had Mrs. Rowland for shorthand and made good grades. In fact, she just knew that I was going to take her all the way to “state” in 1966. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the competitive type and failed miserably at the first competition—a disappointment for her I’m sure. I did, however, make my living as a secretary for many years and did quite well because I had an excellent teacher who taught me the value of proper spelling and grammar as well as the “art of shorthand”—something that comes in handy even today!
Walter Block, Class of 1945
For many years the Texas Exes Del Rio Chapter of the Ex-students Association of The University of Texas contributed to and maintained a fund which provided at least one scholarship per year for graduates of Del Rio schools to attend The University of Texas at Austin.
Mae Rowland was the scholarship chair – the leader, the whip, the spur, the Del Rio coordinator – who guided the efforts to accumulate local funds for this project. She was also the primary person in the determination of the Del Rio students to whom the scholarships were awarded.
A generous endowed scholarship – The Mae Rowland Memorial Scholarship – was established in her honor and continues through The Ex-students’ Association of The University of Texas to provide for Del Rio students.
For many years the Texas Exes Del Rio Chapter of the Ex-students Association of The University of Texas contributed to and maintained a fund which provided at least one scholarship per year for graduates of Del Rio schools to attend The University of Texas at Austin.
Mae Rowland was the scholarship chair – the leader, the whip, the spur, the Del Rio coordinator – who guided the efforts to accumulate local funds for this project. She was also the primary person in the determination of the Del Rio students to whom the scholarships were awarded.
A generous endowed scholarship – The Mae Rowland Memorial Scholarship – was established in her honor and continues through The Ex-students’ Association of The University of Texas to provide for Del Rio students.
Walter Block, Class of 1945
(Mr. Block's comment made me laugh so hard - a very respectful laugh - I have tears running down my cheeks)
(Mr. Block's comment made me laugh so hard - a very respectful laugh - I have tears running down my cheeks)
I can't get in to give you another Mae Rowland tribute because you require a damn password which I cannot remember.
(I'm impressed that those of us who graduated in the 60's ever figured out how to use a computer, much less alumni from the 40's. Walter you do not need a password to make a comment, just use the "Website Contact" button at the top of the page to send your comments. These go to Robert Brockwell who then forwards them on down to others to post. The reason we set it up that way is so that we can prevent unknown sites such as girlie sites being posted. not that we think you would link to some girlie site - its just a protection mechanism. Use the 'website contact' button to let us know if you need a new password. Thanks for making my day!!)
Ed Hance, Class of '68
I join the others in honoring Mrs. Rowland for her impact on those of us who took typing at DRHS. The focus on speed, accuracy and quality all combined (the perfect blend of both efficiency and effectiveness) have been a big blessing to me all during my adult working life. Being able to whip out a typed document without having to look at the keyboard is still something that I still find quite useful. So, a big tribute to Mrs. Rowland and the legacy she has left for so many of us!
I join the others in honoring Mrs. Rowland for her impact on those of us who took typing at DRHS. The focus on speed, accuracy and quality all combined (the perfect blend of both efficiency and effectiveness) have been a big blessing to me all during my adult working life. Being able to whip out a typed document without having to look at the keyboard is still something that I still find quite useful. So, a big tribute to Mrs. Rowland and the legacy she has left for so many of us!
Robert Fawcett, Class of 1956
(Robert's comments are a follow up to Archie Glaze's comment.)
Arthur be correct. Handed to all new secretaries, and new managers. We were scattered in different cities, so it the only way to control the quality of the correspondence.
My Royal typewriter, given by an Uncle, followed me through all college years (I was on a extended program), and well into my business career – until word processing.
(Robert's comments are a follow up to Archie Glaze's comment.)
Arthur be correct. Handed to all new secretaries, and new managers. We were scattered in different cities, so it the only way to control the quality of the correspondence.
My Royal typewriter, given by an Uncle, followed me through all college years (I was on a extended program), and well into my business career – until word processing.
Michael Kyle, Class of 1967
I wish I had taken typing for all the reasons mentioned in these posts. Probably would have saved a lot of grief over the years:-)
I wish I had taken typing for all the reasons mentioned in these posts. Probably would have saved a lot of grief over the years:-)
Kathy (Locke) Pearson, Class of '68
I, also, remember Mrs. Rowland with a great deal of gratitude. As others have pointed out, her class prepared us for more than just typing and shorthand. She emphasized that we be precise and pay attention to detail; values that I carried throughout my career. Just recently as I was coaching graduate students who were writing papers for publication, I remarked: "It is clear to me that you did not have the benefit of Mrs. Rowland." I, therefore, found it quite coincidental that she became the subject of discussion on the website. One of my students pointed out that she continues to influence students as we Wildcats continue to pass her values and skills along.
Debbie (Cochran) Deaton, Class of 1967
I credit Mae Rowland with my career successes. She was an outstanding teacher and although she was very strict, to this day I follow her teachings and guidelines. People are still amazed that I use shorthand, and my typing skills have taken me a long way toward many successful jobs. I have often wished that I had contacted her through the years to thank her and to let her know how well I have done because of her. She instilled a self-confidence in me and gave me encouragement that I needed not just in typing and shorthand but in life. I hope she knows what an impact she had on her students. I will never forget her, and I’m very happy to have this opportunity to sing her praises.
Renee Reams McFarland, Class of 1964
Mrs. Rowland—my favorite teacher of all times! She stressed accuracy, grammar rules, and punctuation along with typing and shorthand. She helped in the development of my work ethic and coached me to become the State champion in UIL Shorthand for AAA high schools in 1964. She spent many extra hours with me to make that award possible—hours which she could have spent at home with family and friends. (Marcella, if you read this note—thanks for sharing your Mom with me!) I am sad to learn that the plaque we earned together for that award has been lost or destroyed. It would be a treasure to have. What a blessing it was to have Mae Rowland as my teacher.
I, also, remember Mrs. Rowland with a great deal of gratitude. As others have pointed out, her class prepared us for more than just typing and shorthand. She emphasized that we be precise and pay attention to detail; values that I carried throughout my career. Just recently as I was coaching graduate students who were writing papers for publication, I remarked: "It is clear to me that you did not have the benefit of Mrs. Rowland." I, therefore, found it quite coincidental that she became the subject of discussion on the website. One of my students pointed out that she continues to influence students as we Wildcats continue to pass her values and skills along.
Debbie (Cochran) Deaton, Class of 1967
I credit Mae Rowland with my career successes. She was an outstanding teacher and although she was very strict, to this day I follow her teachings and guidelines. People are still amazed that I use shorthand, and my typing skills have taken me a long way toward many successful jobs. I have often wished that I had contacted her through the years to thank her and to let her know how well I have done because of her. She instilled a self-confidence in me and gave me encouragement that I needed not just in typing and shorthand but in life. I hope she knows what an impact she had on her students. I will never forget her, and I’m very happy to have this opportunity to sing her praises.
Renee Reams McFarland, Class of 1964
Mrs. Rowland—my favorite teacher of all times! She stressed accuracy, grammar rules, and punctuation along with typing and shorthand. She helped in the development of my work ethic and coached me to become the State champion in UIL Shorthand for AAA high schools in 1964. She spent many extra hours with me to make that award possible—hours which she could have spent at home with family and friends. (Marcella, if you read this note—thanks for sharing your Mom with me!) I am sad to learn that the plaque we earned together for that award has been lost or destroyed. It would be a treasure to have. What a blessing it was to have Mae Rowland as my teacher.
Ellen Wood Lacy, class of 1963
I was so delighted to see Mae Rowland as the subject. I had a little
different experience with Mae because she was such good friends with
my parents and her daughter, Marcella, was named after my mother and
was a good friend of mine. Did that change anything in the classroom?
Not an iota! She was the best of the best. When I got to UT, I was
as well prepared in her area as anyone from private schools. No, I
was better prepared.
I don't know if any of you recall this, but Mae was a real talker.
She talked and talked and talked. The funniest story was that one
afternoon she went home to pick up Marcella to take her for a piano
lesson at Miss Russell's. She was talking as Marcella got in the car,
she was still talking when Marcella told her that she had to go back
in the house to get something, and she continued talking after
Marcella got out of the car and went back in the house. She continued
to talk as she drove to Miss Russell's, stopped, and waited for
Marcella to get out. No Marcella.
We always brought that up when we needed to get her attention. And
she would laugh. Wow, we had such great teachers and she was
absolutely at the top. I don't think anyone in that era had better
teachers than we did. And i don't think I really had any realization
of the excellence of our preparation until much later. They were
superb and enabled us to excel throughout our lives. To this day, I
am still amazed at how much more I know about writing, and
punctuation, and sentence construction than almost anyone I know. And
Mae had a lot to do with it. I am so pleased to have this opportunity
to talk about it. We were blessed.
I was so delighted to see Mae Rowland as the subject. I had a little
different experience with Mae because she was such good friends with
my parents and her daughter, Marcella, was named after my mother and
was a good friend of mine. Did that change anything in the classroom?
Not an iota! She was the best of the best. When I got to UT, I was
as well prepared in her area as anyone from private schools. No, I
was better prepared.
I don't know if any of you recall this, but Mae was a real talker.
She talked and talked and talked. The funniest story was that one
afternoon she went home to pick up Marcella to take her for a piano
lesson at Miss Russell's. She was talking as Marcella got in the car,
she was still talking when Marcella told her that she had to go back
in the house to get something, and she continued talking after
Marcella got out of the car and went back in the house. She continued
to talk as she drove to Miss Russell's, stopped, and waited for
Marcella to get out. No Marcella.
We always brought that up when we needed to get her attention. And
she would laugh. Wow, we had such great teachers and she was
absolutely at the top. I don't think anyone in that era had better
teachers than we did. And i don't think I really had any realization
of the excellence of our preparation until much later. They were
superb and enabled us to excel throughout our lives. To this day, I
am still amazed at how much more I know about writing, and
punctuation, and sentence construction than almost anyone I know. And
Mae had a lot to do with it. I am so pleased to have this opportunity
to talk about it. We were blessed.
Walter Wilson class of 1959
I was fortunate to take Mrs. Rowland's typing course during my junior year. I remember it so well, because of all the courses I took in high school, college (Baylor), medical school, and many post graduate courses, Mrs. Rowland's typing course was the most valuable of them all. I remember very little from the hundreds of other courses, much less the names of my teachers. Thanks to Mrs. Rowland I have a skill which I have used throughout my life, and who would ever have dreamed that one day all of us would have to type on a key board virtually every day. I sat on the back row, rear left, next to last in the row. The typist to my left was Sandra McNair. Because Mrs. Rowland taught us to set up the transcription material to our left, my view was of Sandra typing about 50 words/minute faster than my max!! I toped out at 33 words/minute. The minimum cut off was 35, but I never made it. Mrs. Rowland tried her best, but I could never scratch out those 2 more words/minute. I remember meeting with her at the end of the semester, fearing the worst.
Mrs. Rowland knew that I wanted to become a doctor. She also taught English, so she gave me a reading assignment for extra credit. If I read the book and wrote (typed) a report, then I would receive the coveted extra 2 words/minute and I would pass!! The book she gave me was "Arrowsmith" by Sinclair Lewis. This book changed my life. It introduced me to my favorite author, convinced me to go to medical school, and to become an infectious diseases specialist for my life's work.
But equally importantly, Mrs. Roland taught me not to give up on kids who will work hard, and need a little extra help. Her examples of kindness, compassion, patience, recognizing potential, and the importance of being a good mentor have guided me my entire life.
Thank you Mrs. Roland and God bless you and your family.
I was fortunate to take Mrs. Rowland's typing course during my junior year. I remember it so well, because of all the courses I took in high school, college (Baylor), medical school, and many post graduate courses, Mrs. Rowland's typing course was the most valuable of them all. I remember very little from the hundreds of other courses, much less the names of my teachers. Thanks to Mrs. Rowland I have a skill which I have used throughout my life, and who would ever have dreamed that one day all of us would have to type on a key board virtually every day. I sat on the back row, rear left, next to last in the row. The typist to my left was Sandra McNair. Because Mrs. Rowland taught us to set up the transcription material to our left, my view was of Sandra typing about 50 words/minute faster than my max!! I toped out at 33 words/minute. The minimum cut off was 35, but I never made it. Mrs. Rowland tried her best, but I could never scratch out those 2 more words/minute. I remember meeting with her at the end of the semester, fearing the worst.
Mrs. Rowland knew that I wanted to become a doctor. She also taught English, so she gave me a reading assignment for extra credit. If I read the book and wrote (typed) a report, then I would receive the coveted extra 2 words/minute and I would pass!! The book she gave me was "Arrowsmith" by Sinclair Lewis. This book changed my life. It introduced me to my favorite author, convinced me to go to medical school, and to become an infectious diseases specialist for my life's work.
But equally importantly, Mrs. Roland taught me not to give up on kids who will work hard, and need a little extra help. Her examples of kindness, compassion, patience, recognizing potential, and the importance of being a good mentor have guided me my entire life.
Thank you Mrs. Roland and God bless you and your family.
Kay (Harlow) Ochoa, Class of 1966
There was something very honest and fair about Mae Rowland. I even wrote a paper in college about how fair and even-handed she was. Speaking of college, I graduated from UT in 1970 but the people that hired me after that did so because I could type!!
Patricia (Pat) Parks Dye class of 1954
I agree with all you remembering Mrs. Rowland. I had Mrs. Barton my first year of typing and then had Mrs. Rowland.
I remember when we had ONE electric typewriter and I think it was an IBM. When I typed on it I thought I was in heaven.
Before graduation Mrs. Rowland told me about a job at Del Rio Loan Company/ Edward Graham Insurance.
She had enough confidence in my as I had taken 2 years of typing, shorthand and bookkeeping. She even checked on me after I had the job. She was one special lady. After marrying and traveled with Air Force husband for 13 years. I passed a civil service test (after practicing on an old portable typewriter) I could remember hearing Mrs. Rowland’s voice about perfection and doing it right the first time. My last job was county clerk and would you believe I had to help attorneys draw up their documents and/or legal notices for the paper? I only hope that graduates after the 50’s received such good training.
I agree with all you remembering Mrs. Rowland. I had Mrs. Barton my first year of typing and then had Mrs. Rowland.
I remember when we had ONE electric typewriter and I think it was an IBM. When I typed on it I thought I was in heaven.
Before graduation Mrs. Rowland told me about a job at Del Rio Loan Company/ Edward Graham Insurance.
She had enough confidence in my as I had taken 2 years of typing, shorthand and bookkeeping. She even checked on me after I had the job. She was one special lady. After marrying and traveled with Air Force husband for 13 years. I passed a civil service test (after practicing on an old portable typewriter) I could remember hearing Mrs. Rowland’s voice about perfection and doing it right the first time. My last job was county clerk and would you believe I had to help attorneys draw up their documents and/or legal notices for the paper? I only hope that graduates after the 50’s received such good training.
Laura (Boyd) Bowers, Class of 1956
Thanks for passing on the comments on Mrs. Rowland. I had to shed a tear as I read it - so many memories of a wonderful woman and teacher. She was not only my mentor but my friend and I was truly blessed to have known her as a person and teacher. Growing up in a small town in my opinion brought us all closer but, too, we lived in a different day and age.
Thanks for the memories!
Thanks for passing on the comments on Mrs. Rowland. I had to shed a tear as I read it - so many memories of a wonderful woman and teacher. She was not only my mentor but my friend and I was truly blessed to have known her as a person and teacher. Growing up in a small town in my opinion brought us all closer but, too, we lived in a different day and age.
Thanks for the memories!
David Horne, Class of 1965
Hey, I am typing today because of Mrs Rowland. She made it fun and I enjoyed her class and her.
A side note is that one day at the end of my '65 Senior year, I went to her house and asked to see her freshman daughter, Stevie. Mrs Rowland said "no way you are too old for her". I was only 17, but she was finally persuaded when I told her that I only had "good intentions" for her daughter, and she said that we could talk for a while under her supervision, of course.
We enjoyed talking in the den (while mom occassionally walked in and out just to make sure that I was telling her the truth). And it was the truth.
I graduated just after that and went to Baylor Univ. and it was a very sad day when I heard that Stevie died in a car crash in San Antonio. I will say this about that: My good intentions included Stevie in my future. I guess Stevie was so sweet that God wanted her closer to Himself. And, life moved on. I moved on and the rest is just history. 47 years later, and I still think about her all the time. I don't think a single person ever knew about that, but I thought you might like to know. To see what I have been doing lately and how life is in Kona, friend me on Facebook. Aloha
Hey, I am typing today because of Mrs Rowland. She made it fun and I enjoyed her class and her.
A side note is that one day at the end of my '65 Senior year, I went to her house and asked to see her freshman daughter, Stevie. Mrs Rowland said "no way you are too old for her". I was only 17, but she was finally persuaded when I told her that I only had "good intentions" for her daughter, and she said that we could talk for a while under her supervision, of course.
We enjoyed talking in the den (while mom occassionally walked in and out just to make sure that I was telling her the truth). And it was the truth.
I graduated just after that and went to Baylor Univ. and it was a very sad day when I heard that Stevie died in a car crash in San Antonio. I will say this about that: My good intentions included Stevie in my future. I guess Stevie was so sweet that God wanted her closer to Himself. And, life moved on. I moved on and the rest is just history. 47 years later, and I still think about her all the time. I don't think a single person ever knew about that, but I thought you might like to know. To see what I have been doing lately and how life is in Kona, friend me on Facebook. Aloha
Jonella Robertson Pride , class 55
I remember when I went to Southwest Texas State (now Texas State Univ) and took typing and shorthand (BBA major) that the teacher told me after a week or two that I could just check in for tests, or whatever, as I was already where this class was going. She had us all super-prepared for college courses....it was the same at Trinity. We were ahead of the pack, so to speak. And the punctuation and grammar she taught us has stood me well in the years hence. She had a way of teaching it to us where it stayed with us. God bless her. Loved her!
Hank Woodward, class 56
Learning to type is like learning to ride a bicycle; once you learn you never forget -
it was at least 30 years between my typing I class my senior year with Mrs. Rowland and my use of a keyboard again; it came right back, didn't take long and I was again typing 42 words a minute, my top speed in Mrs. Rowland's class. 36 wpm was required of first year students to pass, as I recall (?)
Arthur Glaze, class 55
She was marvelous! What an important course! My mother gave me a Royal typewriter for HS graduation and it was borrowed by so many of my buddies. What an important item. I hauled it to Trinity, A & M and Southwest Texas and beyond. Mrs. Rowland was at the SFCC for our 20th Reunion handing out her booklets in case we had lost or misplaced ours. I remember Robert Fawcett telling her that he handed out her information to any new secretary and told her that that was the way he wanted it done. Archie
Emma Jane Salas, class 56
Thank goodness for Mrs. Rowland's stressing of perfection. The lesson served me well when I was a secretary for about ten years and got a few promotions based on my typing prowess and my excellent grammar and composition, thanks to Mrs. Galloway (English I, II, and III). I believe we had very good teachers who cared whether or not we learned our lessons.
Emma Jane
Patricia Alexander Leonard, class 54
How great for us to be remembering a really fine teacher all these many years later. I know Mrs. Rowland would be so happy to see the comments. Not only was she a great teacher, she had an eye like a hawk. One time, after I had graduated, Shearley was sick and for some reason had to do some typing to turn in. I know it wasn’t a good thing but she was sick, so I typed a page or two to help her out. When Shearley turned it in, Mrs. Rowland looked at it and knew immediately what I had typed. Of course, Shearley was mortified and I was ashamed but she was just that good!!! Needless to say, we would never have done that again.
Incidentally, I should also say, that like Emma Jane, the skills in typing and shorthand that Mrs. Rowland taught prepared me for several years of working as a secretary. I was no Lura Boyd (as Bill Cauthorn told me one day when he was annoyed at me) but I got the job done, thanks to Mrs. Rowland.
Mrs. Rowland loved to get her ex-students jobs, I think. There was going to be a job open at the DR High School library and she recommended me for the job. I really don’t know why she did as I hadn’t worked in years and I hadn’t seen her in years. Maybe she knew I had moved to town to put my kids in school and thought I might need a job. She then called me and asked if I needed her to help me with any of my skills. As the job didn’t require shorthand and the typing wasn’t a lot, I really didn’t think I did but told her I would call her if I did. I loved her for that. She never forgot her students. There just are not a lot of teachers like her. We were all blessed to have her.
Lura Boyd Bowers, class 56
The lessons we learned from her stayed with us the rest of our lives! Long after I was involved in employee benefits and risk management, I typed a letter to the insurance company accepting their bid for our coverage which my EVP/CFO had to sign off on. He took one look at the letter (which was nothing but making a business letter look good on a page) and asked where I had learned how to make a letter look like that. I laughed and told him I had the best high school teacher that ever existed. From that day forward any time there was a VIP letter for the President's signature my boss would bring it to me to type. It really irked me at the time because I hadn't been a secretary in years; but, then I noticed the letters the Administrative Assistants were turning out (who all had college degrees but would have failed typing under her) and I said a silent thank you to Mae Rowland for training me so well. We were truly blessed with not only Mrs. Rowland but others. I have told my grandkids about crawling through the cave by the old "Y" in Coach Campbell's Biology class and they couldn't believe it. I'm sure others have similar stories to share, don't you? Lura
Gracie Lou Daniels Roberts, class 56
I replied to Emma Jane's e:mail but don't think I replied to "all". As I told her, Mrs. Rowland called me in 1974 when we were stationed in Del Rio (one of the three times) and told me about a job opening with Texas Rehabilitation Commission (now DARS). She loaned me her electric typwriter to practice on since we only had 2 electric typewriters in high school and I wasn't used to it. Got the job and worked for them for 26 years. I just loved her.
I remember when I went to Southwest Texas State (now Texas State Univ) and took typing and shorthand (BBA major) that the teacher told me after a week or two that I could just check in for tests, or whatever, as I was already where this class was going. She had us all super-prepared for college courses....it was the same at Trinity. We were ahead of the pack, so to speak. And the punctuation and grammar she taught us has stood me well in the years hence. She had a way of teaching it to us where it stayed with us. God bless her. Loved her!
Hank Woodward, class 56
Learning to type is like learning to ride a bicycle; once you learn you never forget -
it was at least 30 years between my typing I class my senior year with Mrs. Rowland and my use of a keyboard again; it came right back, didn't take long and I was again typing 42 words a minute, my top speed in Mrs. Rowland's class. 36 wpm was required of first year students to pass, as I recall (?)
Arthur Glaze, class 55
She was marvelous! What an important course! My mother gave me a Royal typewriter for HS graduation and it was borrowed by so many of my buddies. What an important item. I hauled it to Trinity, A & M and Southwest Texas and beyond. Mrs. Rowland was at the SFCC for our 20th Reunion handing out her booklets in case we had lost or misplaced ours. I remember Robert Fawcett telling her that he handed out her information to any new secretary and told her that that was the way he wanted it done. Archie
Emma Jane Salas, class 56
Thank goodness for Mrs. Rowland's stressing of perfection. The lesson served me well when I was a secretary for about ten years and got a few promotions based on my typing prowess and my excellent grammar and composition, thanks to Mrs. Galloway (English I, II, and III). I believe we had very good teachers who cared whether or not we learned our lessons.
Emma Jane
Patricia Alexander Leonard, class 54
How great for us to be remembering a really fine teacher all these many years later. I know Mrs. Rowland would be so happy to see the comments. Not only was she a great teacher, she had an eye like a hawk. One time, after I had graduated, Shearley was sick and for some reason had to do some typing to turn in. I know it wasn’t a good thing but she was sick, so I typed a page or two to help her out. When Shearley turned it in, Mrs. Rowland looked at it and knew immediately what I had typed. Of course, Shearley was mortified and I was ashamed but she was just that good!!! Needless to say, we would never have done that again.
Incidentally, I should also say, that like Emma Jane, the skills in typing and shorthand that Mrs. Rowland taught prepared me for several years of working as a secretary. I was no Lura Boyd (as Bill Cauthorn told me one day when he was annoyed at me) but I got the job done, thanks to Mrs. Rowland.
Mrs. Rowland loved to get her ex-students jobs, I think. There was going to be a job open at the DR High School library and she recommended me for the job. I really don’t know why she did as I hadn’t worked in years and I hadn’t seen her in years. Maybe she knew I had moved to town to put my kids in school and thought I might need a job. She then called me and asked if I needed her to help me with any of my skills. As the job didn’t require shorthand and the typing wasn’t a lot, I really didn’t think I did but told her I would call her if I did. I loved her for that. She never forgot her students. There just are not a lot of teachers like her. We were all blessed to have her.
Lura Boyd Bowers, class 56
The lessons we learned from her stayed with us the rest of our lives! Long after I was involved in employee benefits and risk management, I typed a letter to the insurance company accepting their bid for our coverage which my EVP/CFO had to sign off on. He took one look at the letter (which was nothing but making a business letter look good on a page) and asked where I had learned how to make a letter look like that. I laughed and told him I had the best high school teacher that ever existed. From that day forward any time there was a VIP letter for the President's signature my boss would bring it to me to type. It really irked me at the time because I hadn't been a secretary in years; but, then I noticed the letters the Administrative Assistants were turning out (who all had college degrees but would have failed typing under her) and I said a silent thank you to Mae Rowland for training me so well. We were truly blessed with not only Mrs. Rowland but others. I have told my grandkids about crawling through the cave by the old "Y" in Coach Campbell's Biology class and they couldn't believe it. I'm sure others have similar stories to share, don't you? Lura
Gracie Lou Daniels Roberts, class 56
I replied to Emma Jane's e:mail but don't think I replied to "all". As I told her, Mrs. Rowland called me in 1974 when we were stationed in Del Rio (one of the three times) and told me about a job opening with Texas Rehabilitation Commission (now DARS). She loaned me her electric typwriter to practice on since we only had 2 electric typewriters in high school and I wasn't used to it. Got the job and worked for them for 26 years. I just loved her.