Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-25
NEW PREs,oGNroF STATE UNI
vERsirv WILL De MOST
YOUTHFUL COLLEGE HEAD
FATHER AND BROTHER BOTH
PROMINENT EDUCATORS
Mr.. Bowman's Connection With carns.
gle Foundation Dates Since 1906
Proud Of His Native State and Antie.
ipates Successful Career a. Head Of
School Whore Hs Was Educated.

Des ,Moines. Feb. 25.-John G. Bow
man, who will succeed to the presiden-
cy OF the state university OF Iowa, fol-
lowing the retirement of George E.
Mac Lean, present head OF the institu-
ton. whose resignation, filed recently
with the state board of education will
he has been selected, be the Youngest
head of any state university in the
United States and probably the
youngest executive Of any great insti-
tuition Of learning in the world.
Professor Bowman was born in May,
1877, and is but 33 years old. He is
native Iowan, having been born at Dav-
export and reared there. He is also
an alumnus of the institution Of which
he Is about to become president. grad
uating from there in 1899.
Following his graduation from the
state university Mr.. Bowman became
interested in newspaper work and re-
turned to Davenport to become re-
porter for the Times at that place. He
was subsequently employed In the
same capacity by the Waterloo Cour-
Ter and later with the Chicago City
Press
He returned to Iowa State University
in 1904 as instructor in English. His
salary at that time was but $500 per
year and a short time later he accepted
an offer from Columbia University.
New York City, in the same branch OF
work at a salary OF $1,000.
Goes to the Foundation.
In 1906 on the organization of the
Carnegie foundation he was rendered
and accepted the place as secretary and
has continued in that work since that
time. His duties in connection with
the foundation have been intimately
associated with college work and he is
said to enjoy personal acquaintance
with the great majority Of college pro-
fessors and educational men of the
country.
Professor Bowman was in Des
lMoines when his election by the state
educational board of control occurred
yesterday afternoon. He was in con-
sultation with President Hill NJ. Bell
in the latters office at Drake UniTer-
sity when the news was carried to
him of his selection for the place.
When seen at the Chamberlain hotel
last night Professor Bowman was
overjoyed with his selection. His at
tempt to hide his satisfaction and hap
piness behind the stolid mask of the
scholar was unsuccessful and his face
indicated the pleasure which he felt at
the honor conferred upon him.
Concerning his decision on the prof
ferred place he said, 81 shali~n1ake de-
finite announcement of my intentions
within the next two weeks but when
pressed more closely by the interview
u: S,,<~
and he said. Really. l haven't the
slightest doubt but what 1 will accept
the place. but can not make the for
NAL announcement until shall have
returned to New York and consulted
my associates in the foundation work.
Proud Of His Native state.
'"rhe thought Of coming back to
Iowa and to the state university brings
me the greatest joy Imaginable. 1t
means the the return TO my home and
my alma mater.
II fully appreciate the evidence of
trust which the state educational board
of control has given, the tremendous
responsibility Of the task involved and
the opportunity offered for the adj
vancement Of the interests of the state,
the cause of education and myself.
When / left my humble situation
as instructor at Iowa in 1904 it never
occurred to me even in my dreams
that I would return there seven years
later as president of the great institu-
ton. or even be considered for so great
an honor.
President elect Bowman left for the
east at O'Clock this morning. He will
stop over today at Davenport to visit
his mother, Mrs. Mary A. Bowman. who
still resides at the place OF his birth. He
will continue his journey to New York
tonight for the purpose of consulting
with his associates.
Come From Family Of Educators.
Professor Bowman comes Of a family
of educators. His father was for many
years, previous to his death, principal
Of one Of the Davenport schools and his
brother. Charles II. Bowman, has been
for the past ten years president OF the
Montana state School OF Mines at
Butte
He was married in 1908 to Miss Flor
ence Berry. a former student at the
state university, whom he met while
an instructor there four years before.
The newly elected president and
George E. MacLean, present head os
the university. are close friends and it
is said the latter predicted the selection
Of Bowman as his successor following
the filing Of his resignation.
President Hill NJ. Bell, OF Drake Uni
versity, in commenting on the election
Of Professor Bowman last night, said:
HE is the ideal man for the place. The
educational board Of control could not
have made more fitting selection. He
will give Iowa one OF the greatest ad-
ministrations that 1t could possibly
have. ] hasten to congratulate the
unI Anc <cAEE