Remembering a community leader…
A memorial service for Wilfred B. Howsmon Jr. will be conducted on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the cafeteria at the Manassas Campus of Northern Virginia Community College.
Howsmon was the founding provost at the Manassas Campus. He was appointed in 1972 to oversee construction of the campus, which was ready for students in fall 1974. After his retire-ment in 1990, the original academic building was named Howsmon Hall in his honor.
During his 18 years as provost, enrollment at the campus grew from 125 in the first session, when classes were held in borrowed classrooms at a local high school, to more than 3,300 students in 1990. Howsmon was responsible for all hiring of faculty and staff during his tenure, as well as planning for additional growth at the campus.
In addition to his service to the college, Howsmon was actively involved in many community or-ganizations, including the Manassas Choral Society, Rotary Club of Manassas, Boys and Girls Club of Manassas, Friends of the Central Library, Prince William Commission on Fine Arts, Prince William Committee for Economic Development, Prince William Chapter of the American Red Cross and Prince William Committee of 100.
Howsmon was born Oct. 8, 1925, in Dayton, Ohio. As a member of the 100th Infantry Division, he saw action in France and Germany in 1944 and 1945. Following the war, he attended Berea College on the GI Bill, graduating in 1950. He earned graduate degrees in chemistry from Purdue University in 1952 and 1955.
After a brief period as a research scientist, he entered academia and taught chemistry at Marietta College in Ohio.
He was dean of instruction at Rockingham Community College in Wentworth, N.C., from 1968 until 1972, when he accepted the provost position at the Manassas Campus.
Howsmon died Oct. 6, 2008, in Sun City Center, Fla., two days before his 83rd birthday. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis MacNeil; four sons, James, John, Robert and Thomas; their wives; and eight grandchildren. His first wife, Frances Stillings Howmon, died in 1997.
All of Howsmon's friends are welcome to the service.
The member artists of ArtBeat Gallery invite the public to a new exhibit, "Sea Change," by artist Jackie Fitzpatrick. The exhibit opens on Tuesday with a reception on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Her works will continue to be on display through June 28.
ArtBeat Gallery, at 9407 Main Street in Manassas, is a not-for-profit artists' cooperative gallery that features original works in a wide variety of mediums. The gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
For more information, call 703-365-8558.
Manassas St. Thomas United Methodist Church will host its annual yard sale on Saturday from 8 am. to 1 p.m. in the church parking lot.
The church is located at 8899 Sudley Road, Manassas, on the corner of Grant Avenue.
The event is sponsored by the United Methodist Women, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to local and foreign charities.
.. for more information, contact Judy Majors at 703-791-3372.
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