In celebration of Homecoming week a book review and signing was held Monday, Oct. 30, in the Memorial Student Center. The guest author for the evening was Prairie View alumnus Dr. Emiel W. Owens. He discussed his book “Blood on German Snow: An African American Artilleryman in World War II and Beyond.”Owens began the review with a discussion about his life. He told of his childhood, when he experienced the harsh effects from the great depression. In 1940, he graduated from high school as valedictorian of his class. He then attended Prairie View where he was a member of the 1942 Panther football team. He was drafted into the Army in 1943, and he was shipped to Fort Seal. While in the Army, Owens served in the 777th Field Artillery and like the rest of the U.S. Army at the time, it was a segregated unit.
Owens told the audience about how difficult his time in the army was and how he saw concentration camps and the gruesome effects of World War II. He shared his near death experience, which he vividly remembers after so many years.
With help from the G.I. Bill, he returned to Prairie View, where he met his wife and soon after got married. He attended graduate school at Ohio State University, and later earned his Ph.D. in economics. During this time, his selections for schools were very limited because some schools were still closed to African Americans. He later became a professor at the University of Minnesota for two years, then went on to teach at the University of Houston for 25 years as a professor of finance.
Rashawnda Kelley commented on the program by stating, “It was awesome and extremely informative, and he gave excellent insight into the past.”
Shanel White agreed by saying, “It felt like a great one on one discussion, and I really enjoyed the program.”
Owens emphasized throughout the program that “It’s not the highest in which you gain, but it’s the depth you come from.” He said his reason for publishing the book is for “posterity, so young people can see what I accomplished. Remember this: the life that serves is the life that saves.