Former first lady Linda Bowman ’81, M.S.’83, retired June 29 after nearly 30 years of service to Illinois State University’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD).

Bowman, who had been the director of the Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic since 2011, received both of her degrees in speech pathology. The year after she graduated with her master’s degree, she was hired by CSD (then known as the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology) as a temporary, part-time lecturer for the course Human Verbal Development.

In August 1986, she was hired full-time and added advisement and clinical supervision to her responsibilities. She later served as the clinic coordinator in speech pathology for four years. Through the years, Bowman did a stellar job of advising our undergraduate and graduate students, teaching a variety of courses, and supervising and coordinating the clinical experiences of speech-language pathology graduate students. She has been known for her infectious enthusiasm for the profession; her in-depth knowledge of stuttering, phonology, and language development; her skill as a teacher and supervisor; and her dedication to the department and our students and clients.

In July 2003 Bowman’s husband, Al Bowman, was named interim president of Illinois State University. The following February he was named the University’s 17th president and he served in that post until 2013. During his tenure, Linda Bowman added the role of first lady to her responsibilities.

Al and Linda

Al and Linda Bowman

Even with this very important and time consuming role, Linda Bowman was unstinting in her willingness to help move the department forward. Indeed, in fall 2011, she became director of the Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic and worked year-round to accomplish a number of major initiatives in the clinic. These included moving from paper-based to electronic patient records, establishing and implementing better business practices and the clinic’s first marketing plan, facilitating third party billing as a HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) compliant entity, and assisting in the development of a business case and conceptual design for a new speech and hearing clinic we hope to see built in the coming years.

Linda Bowman said working with her colleagues in the CSD Department has been the finest, most satisfying career she could have ever have imagined. She has loved Illinois State since she first enrolled as an undergraduate transfer student in 1979 and considers it an honor to have been given an opportunity to serve the institution in so many important ways. Her favorite quote is one by Francis Peabody: “The secret to the care of the patient is in caring for the patient.” She believes that the joy she gained from working with her colleagues, students, and patients at Illinois State stems from the fact that she cared and still cares so deeply for all of them. She leaves behind this advice for the many young speech-language pathology students that will follow in her footsteps: Work hard and care deeply, no matter what the cost. It will always be worth it in the end.

The entire department will miss Bowman’s presence, and we wish her well in retirement!

5 thoughts on “Linda Bowman retires as director of Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic

  1. Paula Holsten says:

    Linda, Congratulations on your retirement. Fox Center was blessed for years with quality interns. Relax, sleep late and travel.

  2. Cari Jesse says:

    Congratulation Linda!!!! Such great memories. Thanks for all the help when I was a student there. I wish you the best of luck and miss you tons!!!

  3. Helena Feinberg says:

    Dear Dr Bowman: I was delighted to meet you in 2011 at my 50th Alumni reunion. I was probably the only Special Ed major who attended that reunion, of the 11 in my graduating class. I remember Dr Eckelmann and Dr Taylor from the department. Best wishes always.

  4. Jo Puntil says:

    Linda, so excited to hear of your retirement!! Lived being in school with you 32 years ago in the grad office. Best wishes to you and Al

  5. Dr. Michael A. Barla says:

    Linda,
    Best wishes on your retirement! I have fond memories of my time spent in the department!!