UNLV political science professor Michael Bowers has been selected as this year's recipient of the UNLV Alumni Association's Outstanding Faculty Award.
The twenty-third recipient of the association's award, Bowers will be honored at a luncheon April 19.
"During the 16 years that Michael has been here at UNLV, he has always been very student-focused," said Fred Albrecht, vice president for university and community relations. "He has been exceptionally dedicated to helping and advising students. I'm extremely pleased to have him receive our award."
Bowers said of being selected, "It would be an understatement to say that I was stunned by this very great honor being bestowed upon me. We have many wonderful faculty at UNLV. To be recognized within such an outstanding and distinguished group is truly a pleasure and provides me with a great sense of accomplishment."
Political science department chair Ted Jelen, who nominated Bowers for the award, said, "It would be difficult to find another faculty member who has committed himself or herself to university and community service to the extent that Dr. Bowers has.
"In addition to the vast amounts of time and energy expended by Dr. Bowers in his university and community service activities, he has also gained recognition through his scholarship and publication," Jelen said, pointing out that in addition to numerous scholarly articles, Bowers has published two books on Nevada issues, The Nevada Constitution: A Reference Guide, and The Sagebrush State: Nevada's History, Government, and Politics, since 1993.
Bowers, who served 11 years as the associate dean of UNLV's College of Liberal Arts, has received many honors during his time at the university. Among those have been the William Morris Award for Teaching Excellence in the College of Liberal Arts; two research fellowships from the Nevada Humanities Committee -- one for work on the Nevada Constitution and another for work on judicial selection; and the Liberty Bell Award presented for outstanding contributions to the law by the Clark County Bar Association.
Classes taught by Bowers have focused on the American constitutional system and constitutional law, governmental powers, civil rights and liberties, the judicial process, and the constitutional rights of the accused and women.
Bowers earned his doctoral and master's degrees from the University of Arizona and his bachelor's degree from Cameron University in Lawton, Okla.
For additional information, call the UNLV Alumni Association at 895-3621.
