Dr. Anita S. Dowell's career at Towson spanned 40 years. Starting as an instructor in 1913, she later served as the chair of the Health Education Department and as the administrative assistant to three presidents. She earned her Ph.D from Johns Hopkins University, and from 1950 to 1953 served as Dean of the College.

In January 1963, the university Dowell Health Center was named in her honor.