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Scholarship winner grateful for opportunity by Tim Winkler College of Health Professions From Edgefield, to Clemson, to Greenville, to Charleston. As the first recipient of the College of Health Professions’ Brock and Kathleen Rowley Scholarship, Hunter Bowie’s journey toward his dream has taken anything but a direct route; this journey had some unexpected turns along the way.  Upon meeting Bowie you encounter a fairly typical graduate student. In fact, he enjoys many of things you’d expect from a guy who grew up in the rural Piedmont of South Carolina: family, friends, and a love for the outdoors.  However, this Edgefield native knew early in his life that he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field,  “I always knew I wanted to do something with medicine, I just wasn’t sure exactly what field I wanted to enter,”  he said. So, shortly after his freshman year at Clemson University he declared a major in biology, leaving himself the flexibility to pursue different health-related fields.  It wasn’t long, though, before a significant life event made clear the decision of which career to pursue. “After Grandma had her stroke I knew I wanted to go into physical therapy. It’s with PT that you have the hands-on opportunity to help people in their recovery, something I wouldn’t be able to do as a medical doctor,” Bowie explained. So with his career path decided upon, Hunter entered MUSC’s physical therapy program in Greenville, S.C. two weeks after graduating from Clemson.  Knowing that he would eventually want to live and work in Charleston, Hunter soon transferred to the Lowcountry in preparation for his marriage to his then fiancé, Kerry. Now in his final year of the program and his first year of marriage, Bowie reflects on the journey toward his dream and the people who have helped make it a reality.  “There were probably 20 other students who could have won this award. I am not sure why I was chosen…(however) the generosity of people like Mr. and Mrs. Rowley make the tuition much more afford-able, and for that I am very grateful,” said Bowie. And while Bowie may not be sure why he was chosen to receive the scholarship, those who know him best are anything but surprised. Indeed, it doesn’t take being around him for very long to understand why he was chosen.  The young man with the quiet easy-going smile readily communicates his desire to serve and a love for his profession.  As it is throughout life, as one journey ends, another begins. As Hunter Bowie finishes his time as a graduate student, he looks forward to settling into the dream for which he has worked so hard.  Regardless of where life’s journey leads him,  he will always remember the generosity of Brock and Kathleen Rowley.     Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.