GRAND RAPIDS — Following a thorough national search, Davenport University has named Michael R. Bowers, Ph.D., as dean of the Donald W. Maine College of Business. He will begin in his new role on Jan. 7, 2013. Previously, Dr. Bowers was academic director for the Center for Advanced Entrepreneurship at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., where he served as professor of Entrepreneurship and Marketing in the Crummer Graduate School of Business – one of the top MBA programs in the country.
In his new role, Dr. Bowers will lead the development of new programs while overseeing the operations and budget for the College of Business. He will work to gain an understanding of the opportunities for business education in Michigan while developing an entrepreneurial program that will serve the needs of the state.
“Dr. Bowers’ extensive experience in business leadership and development of entrepreneurial programs will be a great asset for Davenport University,” said Dr. Linda Rinker, executive vice president for academics and provost at Davenport University. “He will assume leadership of the University’s largest and best-known college, the Donald W. Maine College of Business. Dr. Bowers is the right individual to lead faculty and staff to meet the high expectations for this college.”
Over the past eight years at Rollins College, Dr. Bowers partnered with business accelerators, investor groups, venture capitalists and private equity companies to support development of high-value, high-growth companies. He also was involved in strategic planning and worked to set research strategy for Rollins. He has a proven history of preparing students for high value careers while also preparing individuals to launch high growth companies that contribute to the economic quality of life in surrounding regions.
Previously, Dr. Bowers served the University of Alabama-Birmingham for 18 years, where he served as chair of the Department of Management, Marketing & Industrial Distribution. Dr. Bowers holds his Doctorate of Philosophy in Business Administration from Texas A&M University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from Southern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Political Science from Florida State University.
