Bowes, Harry Pitkin, Dr. (1935-2017)

Dates

• Existence: 1935 - 2017

Biography

Dr. Harry P. Bowes was born in Des Moines, Iowa. Bowes received his B.S and M.S degrees from Northwest Missouri State University and completed graduate work at Illinois State University, and the University of Illinois before earning his doctorate from the University of Colorado.

Bowes was appointed Assistant Dean of Students at NW Missouri State in 1957, Director of Men’s Residence Halls at the University of Colorado in 1960, and Dean of Students at General Beadle State College in 1962. He became Administrative Assistant to the President in 1964.

In March of 1967 Bowes was appointed acting President and named President two months later, becoming the nation's youngest college president at 31. During his tenure the Trojan Center, the Karl Mundt Library, the Tyrrell Physical Plant, and the Trojan Field facilities were planned and constructed. Kennedy Hall, East Hall, and Heston Hall were renovated. Funds were also appropriated for the construction of the Ruth C. Haberger Science Center.

When the new State Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Richard Gibb announced in his Master plan for South Dakota the recommendation to close Dakota State College in 1970, President Bowes successfully protested for DSC with the support of faculty, students, alumni, community, and state legislators. Bowes and local leaders also successfully opposed legislation to make DSC a branch of South Dakota State University.

Dr. Bowes left DSC in August of 1971 to become President of the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo.

Bowes was honored with the Distinguished Service Award from the International Council on Teacher Education awarded at the 1976 World Assembly held in Washington, D.C. In the spring of 1978, Bowes accepted the appointment as Executive Director and CEO of Colorado Counties, Inc. Bowes died in 2017.

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