duncan owen '86: why he serves
Twenty-five years later, Duncan Owen still remembers quite well the guidance he received from the Collegiate community as he wrestled with the first really important decision of his life.
The 1986 graduate was approaching his senior year, and the spirits were moving him to seek appointment to the United States Naval Academy.
“Early on in the process,” he said, “there were folks I talked to, and everyone wrapped their arms around me and found a way to support me.
“There was Mr. (Malcolm U.) Pitt (Jr., the headmaster), who shared with me stories about landing on the beaches at Normandy to what it was like to serve. There was Mr. (R.L.) O’Flaherty (the vice-president, finance) telling me what it was like to be a Navy pilot and Coach (Jim) Hickey telling me about his Marine Corps days. There was (history teacher) Neil Weiser telling me about his experiences as a young sailor straight out of high school and Mrs. (Grace) Lindner…both of her sons had gone to the Naval Academy.”
Bolstered by the encouragement, Owen headed off to Annapolis, graduated in 1990, served five years in the Navy, then earned an MBA from William & Mary before entering the banking world.
While he was away, he never forgot the experiences he had or the lessons he learned at his alma mater.
You see, help with his college choice was just one example of the vital role the school played in shaping his life.
“I’d certainly felt the warmth of the Collegiate family before,” he said.
On Saturday, January 16, 1983, when Owen was a freshman, John Lower, class of 1984, died in an automobile accident.
It was a traumatic, heart-rending time for the Collegiate community.
Why is it always the good guys? Owen thought over and over as he tried to comprehend the loss of his good friend, his neighbor three doors down the street, and his big-brother figure.
He wasn’t alone in his sentiment.
Still isn’t.
“That was one of the toughest things I’ve endured in my life,” he said, “but Collegiate was there for me and others who were affected by the tragedy.
“You know, one of the common themes I’ve heard from our graduates over the years is how much the school supported them and lifted them up after a death.”
Which brings us to today.
Owen has been the Virginia president of the First Tennessee Bank since September 2008.
He serves on the vestry at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and on the board of the Heart of Virginia Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
He and his wife Tia, who live a block down North Mooreland Road from school, have three children, ages 5, 9, and 11.
Life whips by at a frenetic pace, yet last spring he gladly accepted the responsibility of heading Collegiate’s alumni association for the 2010-2011 school year.
“I just frankly love Collegiate,” he said.
“I love stepping back in time and seeing the trajectory the school is on.
“It’s a fun place to come back to, to give time to.”
A generation ago, Owen immersed himself in the life of the school. He excelled in the classroom, served as senior class president and as a member of the honor council and the Key Club, and competed on the soccer and track teams.
“This was a great place for me to develop as a student, a leader, and athlete,” he said.
“This place puts everything it has behind its students’ education.
“Collegiate did that 37 years ago when I started, they’re doing it today, and I’m 110 percent confident that they’ll do that for my family.”
