Oliver Reagan Rowe papers

Collection

Identifier: MS0047

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists primarily of transcriptions of speeches supporting the expansion of Charlotte College (1958-63) and advocating the merger of the Charlotte and Mecklenburg County school systems (1957-60). Also includes biographical material, a recording of a Paul Harvey broadcast recognizing Rowe's contributions to the Chi Psi fraternity (1982), and material about the Charlotte Civitan Club's Annual Distinguished Citizenship Award.

Dates

1924, 1957-1988
1958 - 1964

Creator

Rowe, Oliver Reagan (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical / Historical

Oliver Reagan Rowe was born in Newport, Tenn., on December 12, 1902. His family moved to Charlotte when he was a child and he was graduated from Central High School. Rowe attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where he earned a B.S. degree in electrical engineering in 1925. Rowe joined the Charlotte firm of R. H. Bouligny Company as a field engineer. He was named a vice-president in 1931 and became president in 1966. Upon Bouligny's death in 1971, Rowe directed a reorganization of the company, which resulted in the creation of the Rowe Corporation, parent company of R. H. Bouligny, Inc. Serving as chair and president, Rowe built his corporation into a worldwide enterprise of fourteen companies with construction, industrial, and agricultural divisions making products ranging from farm equipment to synthetic fiber machinery. He retired as president in 1985, remaining as chair until his death on August 26, 1988 in Charlotte. [For additional information, see Margaret G. Bigger, Equaling Excellence (1988); and Mary Snead Boger, Charlotte 23 (1972).]

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Contains primarily transcriptions of speeches supporting the expansion of Charlotte College and advocating for the merger of the Charlotte and Mecklenburg county school systems. There is also biographical material, audio tape interviews and the first shovelful of dirt from the UNC Charlotte dedication ceremony.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into two series with a few items that stand on their own, the series are:

Speeches and Biographical

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gifts of Oliver R. Rowe, 1974, 1981, 1983-84 ; Gift of Rowe Corporation, 1984 ; Gift of Mrs. Oliver R. Rowe, 1998.

Related Materials

UNCC Oral History Collection: Founders and Supporters Series (#53). UNCC University Archives Reference File--Biographies--Oliver Reagan Rowe. Bonnie E. Cone Papers (UNCC Manuscript 112). Charlotte Civitan Club Records (UNCC Manuscript 213). Richard Elton Thigpen Papers (UNCC Manuscript 187).