In Memoriam
Carlton Bovell
Professor of Biology
UC Riverside
1924-2019
Carlton Rowland Bovell died on March 12, 2019 at age 94. He is survived by his wife, Anna, of San Rafael.
Born on November 10, 1924, Carlton grew up in New York City. He served in World War II as a medic and pursued a bachelor's degree at Brooklyn College, where he went on to complete a master's degree in 1952. He moved to California to continue study at the University of California, Davis, where he ultimately received a Ph.D. in biology in 1957. After participating for a short time as a fellow at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, he joined the Department of Biology at the University of California, Riverside in 1957.
Professor Bovell’s research focused on the biochemical and biophysical studies of cell membranes and metabolism of bacteria. He provided novel insight into how microbes obtained nutrients from their environment and was awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship from Germany to continue his research abroad for one year at the University of Göttingen in 1970-71. Carlton’s research also led to election as a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Professor Bovell served UCR in numerous administration positions including as Vice Chair and then Chair of the Biology Department, and two terms as Chair of the UCR Academic Senate from 1974-78 and later from 1990-91. Carlton served the UC system after appointment as Assistant Vice President in Academic Planning and Program Review, where he coordinated enrollment, directed the UC Organized Research Units, and enacted academic program reviews. Upon return to UCR, Carlton provided significant service as Vice Chancellor before returning to active research and teaching in 1983.
Carlton Bovell was the first tenured African American professor at UCR and among the first in the UC system. Not only did he champion hiring and policies that increased diversity, but he also served as Chair of the Black Studies Program, and established the first Chair for American Indian studies in the UC system at UCR. For this work and his other service, he was awarded the prestigious Oliver Johnson Award for Distinguished Leadership in the UC Academic Senate for outstanding service.
Professor Bovell earned a reputation as a dynamic and influential teacher, culminating with the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1969. He was famous for his teaching of Bio 30 (Human Reproduction and Sexual Behavior), and cellular portions of core biology courses, such as Bio 2 and Bio 5A. Throughout his career his colleagues noted that his lecture courses "terminate with spontaneous student ovation." In 1981, Chancellor Tomas Rivera said of Professor Bovell's teaching: "He has demonstrated teaching excellence…and he offers a humanistic perspective on educational issues. He has been among the most respected teachers and faculty leaders in UCR's short history."
Prepared from excerpts written by Dylan Rodríguez and the Press Enterprise. Edited by Paul Nabity.
Born on November 10, 1924, Carlton grew up in New York City. He served in World War II as a medic and pursued a bachelor's degree at Brooklyn College, where he went on to complete a master's degree in 1952. He moved to California to continue study at the University of California, Davis, where he ultimately received a Ph.D. in biology in 1957. After participating for a short time as a fellow at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, he joined the Department of Biology at the University of California, Riverside in 1957.
Professor Bovell’s research focused on the biochemical and biophysical studies of cell membranes and metabolism of bacteria. He provided novel insight into how microbes obtained nutrients from their environment and was awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship from Germany to continue his research abroad for one year at the University of Göttingen in 1970-71. Carlton’s research also led to election as a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Professor Bovell served UCR in numerous administration positions including as Vice Chair and then Chair of the Biology Department, and two terms as Chair of the UCR Academic Senate from 1974-78 and later from 1990-91. Carlton served the UC system after appointment as Assistant Vice President in Academic Planning and Program Review, where he coordinated enrollment, directed the UC Organized Research Units, and enacted academic program reviews. Upon return to UCR, Carlton provided significant service as Vice Chancellor before returning to active research and teaching in 1983.
Carlton Bovell was the first tenured African American professor at UCR and among the first in the UC system. Not only did he champion hiring and policies that increased diversity, but he also served as Chair of the Black Studies Program, and established the first Chair for American Indian studies in the UC system at UCR. For this work and his other service, he was awarded the prestigious Oliver Johnson Award for Distinguished Leadership in the UC Academic Senate for outstanding service.
Professor Bovell earned a reputation as a dynamic and influential teacher, culminating with the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1969. He was famous for his teaching of Bio 30 (Human Reproduction and Sexual Behavior), and cellular portions of core biology courses, such as Bio 2 and Bio 5A. Throughout his career his colleagues noted that his lecture courses "terminate with spontaneous student ovation." In 1981, Chancellor Tomas Rivera said of Professor Bovell's teaching: "He has demonstrated teaching excellence…and he offers a humanistic perspective on educational issues. He has been among the most respected teachers and faculty leaders in UCR's short history."
Prepared from excerpts written by Dylan Rodríguez and the Press Enterprise. Edited by Paul Nabity.
