On Friday, May 6, Cleveland State University accepted a $1 million gift in honor of William M. ‘Bill' Bowen, PhD, as he retires from the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs after thirty-two years of service to Cleveland State University.

The gift from Scott Mueller, CEO of Dealer Tire, will establish the William M. ‘Bill' Bowen Fellowship for Doctoral Studies in Urban Affairs and allow merit-based scholarship for advanced study in the Urban Affairs doctoral program.

Salutes came from CSU's president emeritus, Michael Schwartz, PhD; professor and former provost Jianping Zhu, PhD; dean and professor, Roland V. Anglin, PhD; dean and professor, Meredith Bond, PhD; professor and chair, Roby Simons, PhD; professor Wendy Kellogg, PhD, and CSU president Laura J. Bloomberg, PhD, who announced the gift.

"This new fellowship is the perfect way to honor Dr. Bill Bowen and to continue his legacy at CSU,” said Dr. Bloomberg. "The doctoral students supported by this generous gift will be afforded the opportunity to grow academically and research subjects to which Dr. Bowen dedicated his career. We are honored that future doctoral students will know about the impact that he has had on our university.”

"Bill is the consummate faculty member. He is a brilliant scholar, a dedicated professor, and an academic leader,” said Dr. Roland V. Anglin, dean and professor at the Levin College of Urban Affairs. "Scott Mueller's generous donation will allow us to honor Bill's unique legacy by attracting and nurturing promising PhD students who will strengthen this university and the field of Urban Affairs.”

"He's the smartest guy on the planet,” said Mueller of Dr. Bowen during the event. "I am so fortunate to know him. He has touched me, his students, and the world. Bill always makes me think, wonder, contemplate, and that type of friend makes you a better person. When I found out he was retiring, I wanted to find a way to show him my thanks and appreciation for all he has done.”

Bowen entered into a Masters of Public Administration program while serving as a Supply Officer in the United States Navy and found that he loved doing research and teaching. He earned his PhD in Regional Analysis and Planning from Indiana University at Bloomington. His research and teaching interests include research-based decision-making and problem-solving in regional analysis and planning, especially in relation to economic development, energy policy, and environmental issues.

Bill received the Cleveland State University Distinguished Faculty Award for Service in 2009 and was named a Cleveland State University Outstanding Teacher in 2000. He was also recognized in 2005 with the Adele Mellen Prize for Distinguished Contribution to Scholarship (for The Chief Purpose of Universities: Academic Discourse and the Diversity of Ideas).

When he is not engaged in scholarship, he spends his time in various leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America. He is also the lead guitar player for a local classic rock and blues band.

The Levin College is grateful for Bill's many years of service and is thrilled that his legacy will live on through the establish the William M. ‘Bill' Bowen Fellowship for Doctoral Studies in Urban Affairs.