Dr. Owens served on the Board of Visitors from 1990 to 1994, and was Rector of the Board during 1992 - 1993. In 1947 Dr. Owens established his dental practice in Portsmouth, Virginia. He retired after 43 years of service to his community as a health care provider, civic and political leader. His formal training in education served as a source of motivation to legally attack and destroy discriminatory policies that denied quality education to a segment of the population .During the 1950 - 1960 decade, he was in the forefront of movements to gain equal rights for African Americans. In 1970, he became the first African American to be elected to the Chesapeake City Council. He served ten years, eight as Vice Mayor. During his tenure, his support for public education was unstinted.

He has been identified by Ebony Magazine as one of the nation's most influential African Americans. In retirement, Dr. Owens works as a Dental Practice Consultant and as counselor/mentor with at-risk male students and other volunteer assignments.