Thomas Cowan Bell

Thomas Cowan Bell was born May 14, 1832, in Bellbrook, Ohio. He grew up on a farm and his primary school education was in log schoolhouses. At the age of 23, he was considered to be an "elder statesman" of the fraternity. He served in the military through 1863, retiring with the rank of major. == Career ==

After college, Bell became a teacher. Following the Civil War he returned to education, serving as the superintendent of school system in Nobles County, Minnesota, from 1872 to 1877. He was the County Record or Deeds and became the editor and publisher of the newspaper, Journal, in Worthington, Minnesota from 1878 to 1885. From 1885 to 1886, he was the president of Philomath College in Oregon. Next, he was the principal of La Creole Academy in Dallas, Oregon from 1887 to 1892. He was president of Central Oregon State Normal School in Drain, Oregon from 1892 to 1896. He retired from teaching in 1896. == Personal life ==

Bell was married to Sigourney White of Oxford in 1857. After he retired, Bell retired to Oakland, California. He was also involved with the Alpha Beta chapter at the University of California at Berkeley. He died in his home in Oakland on February 3, 1919, the day after attending an initiation ceremony of the Alpha Beta chapter. == Honors ==

• In 1905, Sigma Chi presented Bell with a souvenir medal as an expression of its "love and gratitude" at the fraternity's semi-centennial celebration. • Bell is the namesake of the Thomas Cowan Bell Scholastic Foundation, located in San Jose, California, which awards college scholarships to both members of the Sigma Chi fraternity and students of San Jose State University • Bell is the namesake of the Thomas Cowan Bell Sigma Chi Scholarship for both members and non-members of Sigma Chi at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. • The Thomas Cowan Bell Teaching Award is presented annually by the Ohio State chapter of Sigma Chi. • Sigma Chi chapters with the most active alumni donors are given the name of "Bell Chapters" in honor of Thomas Cowan Bell. == References ==