Dear Colleagues,

With profound sadness, we write to share that Dr. Michael Bowers, former interim executive vice president and provost and professor of political science, passed away on June 2. He had been a faculty member at UNLV since 1984.

As a professor in the UNLV department of political science, Michael taught students the judicial process and constitutional law, setting the academic bar high to prepare them for the rigor of law school. His major contributions to political science were The Sagebrush State: Nevada’s History, Government, and Politics, which the University of Nevada Press last published in its sixth edition, and The Nevada State Constitution, two editions of which were published by Oxford University Press. These books are essential references in our political science courses and for the public. 

Michael was a prolific researcher whose scholarship resulted in many articles in journals and encyclopedias, and chapters in edited books. He gave invited lectures on U.S. politics around the nation and in Germany, India, and Sri Lanka. His research and teaching were supported by grants from the American Political Science Association, Nevada Humanities, UNLV Foundation, and UNLV Research Council.

He was an able administrator who led at the university, college, and department levels. He served as interim executive vice president and provost from 2009 to 2012. During that time, Michael continued to serve as senior vice provost for academic affairs, a position to which he was appointed in 2008. Prior to that, he served as vice provost for academic affairs from 2004 to 2008, chair of political science, and, for 11 years, associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Michael was lauded with numerous awards for his teaching, research and service. He received the William Morris Award for Teaching Excellence and the Donald Schmiedel Lifetime Service Award from the College of Liberal Arts, the Distinguished Faculty Member of the Year Award from the UNLV Alumni Association, the Outstanding Faculty Award and the Outstanding Advisor Award from the Nevada System of Higher Education, and the Liberty Bell Award for outstanding contributions to the law from the Clark County Bar Association. He was a former UNLV Chapter president and Distinguished Member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. 

His contributions to his professional community were notable, including his involvement with the Western Political Science Association, the Nevada Judicial Historical Society, and the University of Nevada Press as well as his recent service as treasurer at the American Political Science Association.

Michael left an indelible imprint on UNLV and the surrounding community. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and worked with him.

He is survived by his husband Allen Svec, brothers Bob and Ronnie, nephew Jason, and godson Michael. No public service is planned at this time, but donations can be made in his honor to the Michael W. Bowers International Studies Scholarship Endowed Fund. 

Sincerely,

Keith E. Whitfield, Ph.D.
President

Chris L. Heavey, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost