Patricia Bowman - Impetuous

Patricia Bowman, center, poses with the English faculty

Patricia Bowman has worked at Arkansas State University, San Antonio College, San Antonio Art Institute, Williams Baptist College and the University of Memphis. However, despite having 32 years of teaching under her belt, it wasn’t her first choice of professions.

“I wanted to be a torch singer with a big name band, and wear blue eye shadow and sequin dresses. Then I heard my voice on tape for the first time when I was 12, and I was devastated because I realized that I had zero talent. When I got older, I tried many different professions, then serendipitously fell into teaching. The first time I tried substitute teaching something magical happened. I went through every age group until I finally arrived at college,” said Bowman.

After retirement she plans to move to Arkansas, “My daughter and I have a building project, and we are going to restore a justice complex there. Afterward, I’m probably going to open a catering service and have a small antique shop on one of the floors there.”

She has no regrets during her time here, but she admits to being too impetuous at times. “I always say yes when I’m asked to do something and then later wonder when I’ll have time to do it,” Bowman giggles.

“I admire all of my colleagues in the English Department. They are a very talented group of men and women and each one displays a different teaching style. We can discuss problems with one another and that is great. This is certainly the best department I have ever worked in,” says Bowman.