TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
children. He graduated from Sumter's Lincoln High School in 1950 and at- tended Morehouse College, where he earned a B.A. degree in sociology in 1954. He earned an M.A. degree from Atlanta University. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Conyers earned a Ph.D. in sociology from Wash- ington State University in Pullman, WA. In 1962, Conyers joined the faculty at Indiana State College (now Indiana State University), where he remained on the ISU sociology faculty for 28 years. Conyers was one of only two full professors in the Division of Social Sci- ences (then Department of Sociology) for many years. As a faculty member, he achieved teaching excellence, receiving numerous awards and accolades for his teaching brilliance. The courses that he taught that were most popular included Social Problems, Black Community, and Minority Groups. While a faculty member in the Department of Sociology, Conyers's classes were cross-listed in African American Studies, a program he helped found and develop. Conyers authored several books, journal articles, book reviews, monographs, and pamphlets. Often asked to present at both national and international confer- ences, his fame in this area continues to echo today. One of his most noted writings includes Black Elected Offi- cials: Study of Black Americans Holding Government Office; based upon a ques- tionnaire, this work consists of the first nationwide profile of Black Americans holding elective governmental office in the mid-1970s. Another noted work was Black Youth in a Southern Metropolis, a work co-au- thored with William J. Farmer and Mar- tin Levin and published by the Southern Regional Council in 1968. That same year, Black Youth and its authors recog- nized the CBS national news for their outstanding work. Conyers was a longtime member of the Young Men's Civic Club, a Life Member of the N.A.A.C.P. He served on the Board of Governors of the Commu- nity Foundation of the Wabash Valley
from 1969-1976 and the Terre Haute Symphony Association's Board from 1979-1985. He was president, Evening Optimist Little League, Terre Haute 1979-1980; and vice president, West Central Indiana Civil Liberties Union, 1986-1987 and a member of the Afro- American Culture Students Farm Group (1972-1975) He was a member of several, including the Association of Black Sociologists (ABS), an organization that he founded and served as its first president in 1973; the Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists, of which he was president from 1970 to 1971; the Council of North Central Sociological Association, member, 1991-1993; and American Sociological Association, member of the nominating committee, 1991-1992. He taught courses at Farm Camp at the United States Penitentiary in Terre Haute on a volunteer basis until his retirement in 1996. Conyers was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Terre Haute, IN. Often recognized by his peers for his teaching, research, and writing efforts, Conyers was the recipient of several aca- demic awards, including the prestigious W.E.B. DuBois Award in 1981 from the Association of Social and Behavioral Scientists and the distinguished Scholar Award in 1994 from the Association of Black Sociologists. Brother James E. Conyers, Sr. is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Emmett, Jr. (Pi 1949) and John B. Conyers. He is survived by his three children: daughter, Judith Cony- ers; son, James Conyers, Jr.; daughter, Jennifer Conyers; granddaughter, Chris- tian Conyers; sister, Dr. Gloria Hewitt; nephews: Reginald Conyers (Judy) and Ronald Hewitt, Jr. (Brenda); along with a host of extended family, professional colleagues, from students, and lifelong friends.
A a member of the Buffalo (NY) Alumni Chapter, Bowens served in several posi- tions and on various committees. Of the committees he served, he had a great passion for the Daniel R. Acker Scholar- ship Fund Committee which provides yearly unrestricted financial assistance to African-American first-year college bound students primary from the Buf- falo Public School System. The com- mittee was tasked with interviewing and recommending High School Seniors for yearly scholarships. His presence and dedication will be sorrowfully missed. He also loved acting and had over 30 years of successful experience perform- ing with the Paul Robeson Theatre and the Ujima Company in and around the Western New York. He received the 2002 Philadelphia Film Festival “Best Feature Film Award.” Brother Alton L. Bowens was prede- ceased by his parents. He is survived by daughter, Stephane Lynn (Terry) Browder; sons: Alton L. Bowens Jr. and Brian J. Bowens; his grandchildren: Vernon Taylor (Venice) Moore, Ausar, Khalil- Denitra and Deondra Duncan; great-grandchildren: Le’Asia, Trew, Diamond, Armani, Kyevon (Kam), Enrique, Khristian, Erriq, Trinity; and a host church family, mentees and close friends. James E. Conyers, Sr., Ph.D. 1932-2021 Sociologist, Researcher, U.S. Army
James E. Cony- ers, Sr. (Pi 1952) entered the Chapter Invisible on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at age 89. Cony- ers was the first African-American professor at Indi-
ana State University in Terre Haute, IN. James Ernest Conyers was born March 6, 1932, in Sumter, SC, to Emmett Sr. and Crenella Conyers, the third of four
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