john graduated in 1893 from the tilton seminary in tilton, new hampshire. he then earned the a.b. degree in 1897 from wesleyan university, middletown, connecticut. he graduated from drew theological seminary in 1902 with the b.d. degree. he then earned the m.a. degree in 1915 from columbia university. baker university awarded him the honorary degree d.d. in 1909. wesleyan did as well in 1914. rev. gowdy was also a member of the honorary fraternity psi upsilon.