Virginia Murray Sowell's Impact

A pioneer in special education innovation, Dr. Virginia Murray Sowell hails from Presidio, Texas, and is most known for her contributions to special education reform. Prior to serving as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas Tech University, Dr. Sowell earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1951 and her Master of Arts in Education in 1957 – both from Trinity University. She went on to earn a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Texas in Austin in 1975. Though her lengthy academic record is fraught with success, her work in the classroom as a teacher in San Antonio allowed her to see the value of and need for more special education resources in public schools. This realization prompted her to become a Professor of Special Education at Texas Tech University in the College of Education in 1976 to continue advocating for and influencing the importance and need for special education support.

Dr. Sowell’s influence through her numerous academic publications focused on improving skills with handicapped students has resulted in the advocation and creation of The Virginia Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Sensory Disabilities. A recipient of the Access Award from the American Foundation for the Blind and Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Dr. Sowell’s passion for supporting disabled communities continues to have an impact to this day at the Sowell Center. Dr. Sowell’s work also was instrumental in acquiring grant funding for research related to special education. An agent of change, Dr. Sowell also collaborated with the Texas legislature as the appointee by Governor Richards to the Governor’s Continuing Committee for Special Education.

Today, Dr. Sowell’s legacy remains impactful through the Sowell Center in the College of Education at Texas Tech where research and resources are still provided to improve learning outcomes for special needs students.