A student’s college journey is never easy, and life can be difficult at times. Erica Bowman, however, has defied all odds and is leaving campus with more than just a degree.
Bowman is a non-traditional student, graduating high school in 2014. She is a sociology major, but college was not the original plan a few years back.
“I have lived in multiple states and was active duty in the Air Force,” Bowman said. “I lived in Boise, Idaho, for a while when I got out. I had a completely different life and was a different person before I came to ETSU.”
When Bowman started at ETSU, she was overwhelmed by the amount of friends she made. She expressed that she loves the area–she enjoys the hiking, fishing and camping Northeast Tennessee has.
“My highlights from the past few years include making friends with people on and off campus and meeting people who are originally from Northeast Tennessee and learning about their culture,” Bowman said.
Bowman is also happily married. She discussed what she would like to pursue after graduation, short term and long term.
“Short term, I would like to focus on my daughter and helping my husband out with his fence company, such as bookkeeping and marketing,” Bowman said. “Long term, I would like to get into farming/gardening and have my own small business.”
Bowman expressed her gratitude for ETSU and the joy that came from the past few years for her. She is experiencing many milestones all at the same time.
“There were obstacles that I had to work through, but I am glad that I decided to come back to school and stick with it,” Bowman said. “Being able to graduate a few weeks before my daughter is born is the silver lining of it all.”
