As the entire campus was notified Monday, ISU President Al Bowman announced his retirement as president. The news came as a shock to the community and students took to social media to sound off about the surprise.

Former Student Body President David Marquis posted on Facebook, “Bowman will go down in history as one of ISU’s greatest presidents.”

Many other students wished Bowman the very best in this new chapter of his life.

In the campus-wide email, Bowman explained his health is a top priority in his decision to retire, citing a significant surgical procedure he underwent several years ago.

The decision was not a simple one for the president, as he has been in his position for nine years. ISU is where he met his wife, Linda, and raised his two daughters, Laura and Natalie.

During his 34 years of service at ISU, Bowman has risen to the challenge of leading the university through an economic crisis. For many students, the possibility of college was uncertain due to financial burdens. Bowman continued to lead a university that provides the best education possible while still being competitively priced. ISU ranked in the top 100 public universities in the country for the second year in a row in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of “Best National Public Universities.”

Bowman’s love for the campus shined through in everything he did.

He received a leadership award from the Multicultural Leadership Program earlier this year for his service to faculty, staff and students. Bowman is a president who students can see walking across the Quad, or if they get up early, see him out jogging before his busy day begins.

He has always been a fan of the Daily Vidette, attending various in-office events, which students always looked forward to. When Bowman enters a room, you know he’s there.

In an interview with the Daily Vidette in 2011, Bowman said he would end his career at ISU, turning down other job opportunities at universities. Unfortunately, that ending came sooner than expected. Bowman has supported thousands of students in their goal for a higher education, and the community supports his decision to retire. We thank President Bowman for the long hours, tough decisions and unconditional love he put in to making this institution what it is today. The job was not easy, but for Bowman, it was worth the fight. The results of his hard work can be seen in every facet of campus.

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