September 13, 2022

John Bowders (center) has retired from Mizzou Engineering after 25 years. He is pictured with Praveen Edara (left) and Dean Noah Manring (right).

John Bowders, P.E. and professor of civil and environmental engineering, has retired following a 25-year career at Mizzou Engineering.

The College celebrated his career during a retirement reception on Sept. 9, drawing in a large crowd that included faculty, students, alumni community members and industry professionals. Many guests praised Bowders’ positive attitude.

“It has been such an honor for me to work with John over the past 15 years,” said Praveen Edara, chair of civil and environmental engineering. “His dedication to teaching, student mentoring and research is something I have always admired and tried to emulate. I have had many of our alumni tell me over the years how much of a positive influence John has had on their experiences at MU and their careers.”

During the reception, Dean Noah Manring thanked Bowders for his dedication and service to the College.

Bowders credited the community for his successful career.

“It was the faculty here that brought me to mid-Missouri and to Mizzou,” he said. “What’s kept me here for all of these years is working with all of you. Thank you for everything.”

Over the years, Bowders led research projects sponsored by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Office of Naval Research, Missouri DOT, Department of Conservation, Department of Natural Resources, NSF and several industry sponsors. Before Mizzou, Bowders worked in the civil engineering department of the University of Texas at Austin for three years and served on the faculty at West Virginia University (WVU) for nine years. He developed and taught eight undergraduate courses and 12 graduate courses at the three institutions he has served as faculty. He served as the academic advisor to 41 graduate students at MU and 18 at WVU, as well as numerous undergraduate students.