Student Stories
Carol Lowman
Topeka
Class of 2009, music education
“Ever since I was old enough to understand what college was, I’ve wanted to come to KU. I honestly don’t know what I would do without the scholarships.”
Carol Lowman has had her eye on KU as long as she can remember. When she was 5, her family “was lucky enough to move back to Kansas” from New Mexico. Soon after, they drove to Lawrence for a women’s basketball game at Allen Fieldhouse. “There was such a warm, special feeling in that building,” she said.
She’s been interested in music almost as long. When an older brother started playing in his school band, Lowman found an old trombone in her basement and told her parents she was going to play too.
Later, she attended KU’s Midwestern Music Camp. Over the course of several camp summers, she witnessed the growth of Murphy Hall, now home to the KU band program — and a place where she spends a lot of time.
Her band career at KU has included the pep bands for volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, jazz ensemble III and symphonic band. And she leads the Marching Jayhawks as one of three drum majors – all women in 2007, a first.
Five KU Endowment scholarships have helped support that career, including band scholarships and the Estelle S. Churchill Music Scholarship.
“It means peace of mind for my family and me,” she said. “If I didn’t have the scholarships, I would have to take out more loans and work even more.”
After graduation, Lowman plans to share her love of music with children, and she’ll be well prepared. Her KU degree will qualify her to teach band, orchestra or choral music at the K-12 levels.