FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2025
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
Virginia Beach, Va. – Dr. Donald Bowling, a member of the Eagle Scout class of 1995, was honored as a recipient of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Outstanding Eagle Scout Award by Scouting America Tidewater Council, at its Recognition Banquet on April 30, 2025, at the Khedive Shrine Center in Chesapeake.
Bowling was born on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 1979. He joined Scouting in 1987 as a Bear Cub with Cub Scout Pack 313 (Del-Mar-Va Council), chartered by Market Street United Methodist in Onancock. Upon being awarded the Arrow of Light, he bridged to Troop 303, chartered by Drummondtown United Methodist Church in Accomac. He held various troop leadership positions, including patrol leader, troop guide, senior patrol leader, junior assistant Scoutmaster, and assistant Scoutmaster upon turning 18. Donald was inducted into the Order of the Arrow Nentego Lodge 20 and became a Brotherhood member. In 1995, he earned his Eagle Scout rank.
As a teenager, Donald grew up working on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay with his grandfather, fishing, crab potting, and scraping for crabs. After his grandfather passed, he worked in production horticulture, food services, and retail. In 1997, he graduated from Nandua High School in Onley. Donald went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science (Magna Cum Laude) from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2002. While an undergraduate at VCU, he obtained his EMT certification and volunteered as an EMT/Firefighter with the Onley Volunteer Fire Department. He received the Accomack County Department of Public Safety Medal of Merit for being part of an Engine Crew that saved a young child entrapped in a fully involved structure fire. Dr. Bowling received his Medical Doctorate from VCU Medical College of Virginia in 2005. He entered a Family Medicine Residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School’s (EVMS) Portsmouth Family Medicine.
Dr. Bowling is now a Board-Certified Physician Executive who focuses on physician alignment, healthcare quality, safety, fostering the development of the next generation of healthcare professionals, and improving health outcomes for the community.
His community involvement has included service as a Town Councilman for the Town of Newsoms, Commonwealth of Virginia Medical Examiner, Volunteer EMT/Fireman (Onley), and Operational Medical Director for Courtland Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Dr. Bowling lives in the Holiday Island community of Hertford, NC, where he serves as Scoutmaster for Scouts BSA Troop 150, Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 150, and post advisor for Healthcare Explorer Post 252. He is proud to serve on the Boards of the Healthnet Albemarle (Elizabeth City’s Charitable Clinic), Scouting America Tidewater Council, the Food Bank of the Albemarle, the Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies (NEAAAT) School Board, and the North Carolina Healthcare Association Political Action Committee. During his free time, he enjoys farming, cheesemaking, food preservation, hiking, fishing, hunting, amateur radio, and fine leatherworking.
Bowling received the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award alongside fellow recipients Tom Callahan and Jack Ross.
(from left): Tidewater Council NESA Chair Justin Kilmer, NOESA recipient Jack Ross, NOESA recipient Donald Bowling, NOESA recipient Tom Callahan, and Scout Executive James Parnell
About the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
The National Eagle Scout Association established the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award during the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America in 2010. Popularly known by its acronym, “NOESA,” the award recognizes Eagle Scouts as notable for their local, state, regional, or national distinguished service.
Candidates for the NOESA have inspired others through their positive actions reflected by recognized accomplishments and devotion to their profession, hobby, community, and beliefs. Previous recipients include authors, explorers, media personalities, military flag officers, scientists, medical doctors, government officials, prominent businesspeople, and entrepreneurs.
Award recipients are determined by the local council NESA committee, Scout executive, and council president. Each recipient’s record of service and accomplishments elevates the public stature and reputation of Eagle Scouts.
About the National Eagle Scout Association
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is an organization of individuals who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Scouting America.
NESA’s objective is “to serve Eagle Scouts and, through them, the entire movement of Scouting.” NESA administers several scholarships for Eagle Scouts, both academic and merit-based.
About Scouting America Tidewater Council
Established in 1911, Tidewater Council is the fifth oldest Scouting America council in the United States. Today, the council serves approximately 4,000 youth and 1,700 adult volunteers in the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans, and the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach. To learn more about Tidewater Council or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit TidewaterBSA.com, email james.parnell@scouting.org, or call 757-497-2688.
About Scouting America
Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”
Scouting America welcomes all of America’s youth into its programs. Scouting aims to give them fantastic experiences in the outdoors, and elsewhere, where they can grow in a safe environment. More than 130 million Americans have participated in Scouting’s programs since its founding. Today, more than one million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils nationwide.
To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, visit Scouting.org.
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