
Dr. Rowland was an active member of numerous professional organizations, serving as President of The Alabama Council on Family Relations, The Southeastern Council on Family Relations, and The Alabama Association for Children Under Six. He held many other offices and leadership positions in these organizations and others such as The National Council on Family Relations, The Southern Association On Children Under Six, The Alabama Home Economics Association, The Home Economics Society, The American Association of University Professors. He was a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi and The Majolica International Society. Dr. Rowland was an active participant in community service. At the First United Methodist Church he served on many committees, was twice chairman of The Administrative Board and was a member of The Board of Trustees. He served on The Board of The Alabama Credit Union for twenty years and was twice president. He was active in The Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society and was board member for many years and served as chairman of the Century Club. He was a former member of The Board of Directors and Treasurer of Focus on Senior Citizens and a long time member of The Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa. He was twice President and twice Show Chairman of The West Alabama Camellia Society.
Dr. Rowland received The Southern Council on Family Relations Distinguished Service Award in 1982 and twice received the Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society's Outstanding Service Award. The Joseph S. Rowland Family Studies Award was established in 1990 by the Department of Human Development and Family Studies of The University of Alabama. The Joseph S. Rowland Endowed Teaching Excellence Award in The College of Human Environmental Sciences of The University of Alabama was established in 1991. The award is given annually at the college's homecoming convocation to a faculty member who, like Dr. Rowland, communicates a mastery of his or her subject matter, creates a stimulating and challenging learning environment, and demonstrates empathy and respect for his or her students.
Faculty, students and alumni are encouraged to send in a nomination. This year's nomination forms should be turned in to Rosemary Klein, rfklein@ches.ua.edu, no later than July 29, 2016. The form can be accessed here: Joseph S. Rowland Teaching Excellence Award.