Alumni Spotlight: Kathie Sowell '68

Here is my NEC story – and what a long, strange trip it’s been! 

I grew up in a military family and because of frequent moves and limited  formal music training, I was less prepared than many other students at NEC. I chose NEC because it was the only well-known conservatory with a dorm. My parents were living on an Air Force Base in Alaska at the time and wouldn’t allow me to go to school in the lower 48 states unless it had a dorm. In the days before email, cell phones and the internet, it was a big deal to move that far away. 

In 1968 the Vietnam War was in full force. The male seniors gathered every night in the cafeteria to see if their number was called in the latest draft. Those who had escaped the draft hurried to audition for the few precious spots left in the military bands. Being female saved me from the Vietnam War, but I found it difficult to get full-time work in music after graduation, so I decided to pursue a Master’s in Flute from the University of Kentucky.

After graduating, I took what I thought to be a temporary job as a secretary in a systems engineering company near Washington D.C. When one of the engineers was out, I was given some of his work. I did it, so they gave me more. One thing led to another and soon I was doing full-fledged systems engineer work without the title or salary - so I suggested they match the title and salary. 

I was told it was a policy that engineers were required to have a Master’s Degree in Engineering. To which I replied, the policy states engineers only have to have a master’s degree. I made my case to management by describing the analytical skills and abilities I had acquired at NEC and through my master’s studies, and showed how those skills translated to systems engineering work. They agreed, and I was promoted. I went on to have a long career as a systems engineer and developed a multifaceted problem-solving methodology for the federal government that is still in use today. After I retired I formed my own company, providing training that certified systems engineers using the same methodology.

Throughout my career as a systems engineer, I continued playing the flute in solo recitals, chamber groups, and several orchestras. I was inspired by what my flute teacher, James Pappoutsakis, told me at NEC: “No matter what happens, never quit practicing!” I never did, and still do, every day. I play a gold flute made for me by Jon Landell '68, fellow NEC graduate and student of James Pappoutsakis.

NEC showed me that I love performing in front of audiences and taught me not to be intimidated, even if I appear to be the least prepared person in the room. The analytical skills I learned at NEC really did translate into systems engineering work!

I am now taking violin lessons because, well, you never know. 

- Kathie Sowell '68, Flute Performance

More about Kathie

Kathie Sowell is a recognized leader with a worldwide reputation as innovator, speaker, and educator.

Kathie’s NEC education provided her with the analytical skills, confidence, and commitment that contributed to her success as a leader in Enterprise Architecture for the Department of Defense, intelligence community, and other federal agencies. She is the principal author of the Defense Department's Enterprise Architecture framework and served as Director of the DoD Division of the Federated Enterprise Architecture Certification Institute.

Kathie has been named one of five Pioneers of Enterprise Architecture by the Society for Information Management. Before her recent retirement, she continued to lead training through her SowellEAC Enterprise Architect Certification program at National-Louis University.

View Kathie’s LinkedIn