DeMark Bowman Class of 2008

Interview by Aneara Burns. Photo courtesy of Lafayette College.

Friendship makes sure to take care of their alumni. Whether that’s helping them through college or offering them job opportunities, Friendship has your back, and DeMark Bowman can attest to that. Mr. Bowman is the acquisition manager for Friendship Public Charter Schools and spoke to me about his time as a Friendship student, his college experience, and life after high school.

Aneara: What college did you go to? What was your major and when did you graduate? 

DeMark: I went to Lafayette College. My major was philosophy, with a minor in religious studies. I graduated in 2012.

Aneara: What was your college experience like?

DeMark: In one word, my college experience was amazing. I was fortunate to be a Posse Scholar and attend Lafayette College. I discovered who I was, how I wanted to leave my imprint on the world, and ultimately, how I wanted to show up to life every day. There were struggles and successes, but it all was worth the experience. 

Aneara: What struggles did you face during college?

DeMark: I think everybody's going to struggle with finances at some point, but I think my biggest challenge was probably time management. You know, recognizing when it's time to play, and when it's time to be serious about your work, crack down. You know, no matter how much you practice it, you're never really ready until you're forced to act in ways that put it in perspective for you. Time management is hard to get a grasp on. It takes a lot of discipline but, you know, you can get better right away with practice.

Aneara: Do you feel as though Collegiate prepared you enough for college?

DeMark: Collegiate did a good job of giving me the foundation to be successful in college, but I think it could’ve been better at preparing me for the independence that comes with college. While my teachers at Collegiate were great, I took unrealistic expectations into college. Granted, this was years ago when I was a student, and I believe that Collegiate has found additional avenues to have students mimic the college experience, specifically with the rigor of education and opportunity. I just want students to be prepared for the self-reliance necessary to be successful while in college. 

Aneara: You’re the acquisition manager for Friendship Public Charter Schools. Why did you choose to work at Friendship?

DeMark: In simplest terms, it feels right. Kind of like when you get home and can change from your work pants to sweatpants, or like smelling your favorite meal being cooked. Working here is comfortable. I don’t need to look over my shoulder. And everyone has my best interest at heart when thinking about my growth and development. I don’t think another local education agency could replicate that.

Aneara: How do you feel Friendship Collegiate Academy treats its alumni?

DeMark: Friendship treats its alumni very well. We have poured a variety of resources into alumni, including money—but beyond that as well. We have an entire department devoted to keeping in touch with alumni, with the sole purpose of seeing them achieve greatness. There are literal weeks devoted to alumni of this organization and we do our best to let them know they will always find support with us.  

Aneara: Did you participate in any extracurricular activities at Collegiate? Did they shape you in any way?

DeMark: I was part of the Early College Program and played basketball. Early College gave me perspective into the way college teaches its students to learn. It is much heavier on application versus memorization. This experience led me to pursue philosophy as a discipline, to which I later adopted Religious Studies as a minor. Basketball has always been about recognizing that you can’t do it alone and putting trust in others for shared outcomes. In college, you will sometimes find yourself needing a supporting cast to help you reach your destination, (academic advisors, professors, classmates, roommates, counselors, etc). 

Aneara: What is one lesson that Collegiate taught you for life after high school? 

DeMark: Everybody's not gonna hold your hand. At some point, you have to realize that it's on you to make progress, and if you're not making progress, you probably reflect on your actions instead of looking at everyone else. 

Aneara: What advice would you give to the Class of 2023 at Collegiate?

DeMark: You just can't ‘start’ it. There's a lot ahead of you. Don't rush, take your time, take advantage of opportunities that come your way. Say yes, more often than not, and trust the process. 

 Alumni Editor, Aneara Burns is a junior at Arizona State University and a 2020 graduate of Friendship Collegiate Academy.