Al Bowman

Longtime Redbird

Clarence Alvin “Al” Bowman (1953- ) was the seventeenth president of Illinois State University. Born in Charleston, West Virginia, Bowman moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado as a teenager. He earned his degrees at Augustana College and Eastern Illinois and his PhD in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois. Bowman became a faculty member at Illinois State University in speech pathology and audiology in 1978 and took various administrative positions including department chairman, interim provost, and interim president after Victor Boschini’s departure in 2003. After a national search, Al Bowman was chosen as the university’s next president in February 2004.

Building a Campus

With Boschini’s departure, Bowman helped complete the university’s fundraising campaign, ‘Redefining Normal’, which ultimately raised $88 million dollars. During his tenure, Bowman worked on a salary enhancement plan to close the salary gap with other peer institutions. He also worked to find funding for several campus construction projects, including renovations to Schroeder Hall, the construction of the new Alumni Center, razing of Central Campus to make way for a state-of-the-art Student Fitness Center, a brand new Cardinal Court, and renovations to Hancock Stadium that included a two story structure that houses an outdoor terrace, a club level, and updated media facilities.

Active Retirement

Bowman – and his family – are well known in the campus community to be open, warm, and welcoming to everyone from students to visiting dignitaries. During his tenure, Bowman attended numerous student events along with his regular administrative schedule, making him a familiar face among the student body. After he announced his retirement in December 2012, students gathered on the Quad in front of Hovey Hall to rally in support of the president. Bowman is still active in the local community, teaching one course each fall semester at the university. In 2017, Bowman was named the executive director of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.