Richard Bowker Named Dean Of Graduate Studies

May 30, 2008

Bowling Green, Ky. - Dr. Richard Bowker has been named dean of Graduate Studies and Research at Western Kentucky University.

Dr. Bowker came to WKU in July 2001 as head of the Biology Department and has served as interim dean of Graduate Studies for about two years.

“This is an exciting time for graduate programs at WKU,” Dr. Bowker said. “I look forward both to supporting and strengthening our current programs, and to the opportunities and challenges of creatively meeting the future needs of graduate students.  Strong graduate programs enrich the quality undergraduate education and both are hallmarks of an outstanding comprehensive university.”

He also served as a member of WKU’s SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) reaccreditation team and was chair of the QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan) Steering Committee.

“Dr. Bowker cares deeply about the enterprise of higher education,” said Dr. Barbara Burch, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “He has a sincere passion for students and his work toward enhancing academic quality, and the enthusiasm to try new and innovative ideas.”

Under Dr. Bowker’s leadership, the Biology Department has seen six consecutive years of enrollment increases and the program’s quality has reached a superior level, Dr. Burch said. As interim dean of Graduate Studies, graduate enrollments as well as enrollments of international and minority students have increased, she said.

As a biologist, Dr. Bowker’s research interests lie in physiology, ecology and behavior, including extensive research on desert reptiles and lizards. He is working with colleagues at WKU and in Spain, Portugal and Kenya on bioacoustics and communication of frogs and lizards. He and his wife, Margaret, also are continuing a project on bird populations in Kenya.

Prior to coming to WKU, Dr. Bowker taught biology for 23 years at Alma College in Michigan. He also served as adjunct professor at Central Michigan University and the Universidade de Coimbra in Portugal.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University (1968) and his master’s (1975) and doctorate (1977) from Northern Arizona University.

More information on Graduate Studies and Research is available online at http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Graduate/
               
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For information, contact Richard Bowker at (270) 745-2446.