Owens College president starts

7/2/2012

Owens Community College's sixth president and chief executive officer will move into his office today.

Mike Bower, whose hiring was approved by the college board of trustees in March, was previously president of Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, N.D.

"My vision for Owens Community College is to be recognized for our expertise in utilizing emerging technologies through innovative ideas from both our internal and external stakeholders, as we continuously improve our quality programs with the ever-changing nature to advance higher education in this region," Mr. Bower said in a statement Sunday.

Mr. Bower's career includes 17 years as a faculty member and administrator in colleges in five states and 19 years in leadership positions in the automotive and consumer electronics industries. He holds a doctorate in education administration, curriculum, and instruction from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He lives in Maumee.

Mr. Bower succeeds Larry McDougle, who retired Sept. 30. He was hired with a three-year contract paying $200,000 annually, plus a $1,250 monthly housing allowance.