Wayne State University is like a city within a city with 7,700 employees and more than 27,000 students, accounting for a total campus population of nearly 35,000. In an effort to learn more about our faculty and staff; their passions, hobbies, and personal history at the university, Today@Wayne will regularly feature stories about employees in a column titled “Getting to Know.”



Albert Bowman has a formula for successful living that he’s followed for most of his 51 years. In fact, he has the formula committed to memory, but keeps it tucked away in his desk, where he can see it whenever he opens the top drawer.

Neatly placed under Post-its and sundry items, a scrawled message on a tattered piece of paper offers the formula: “Watch your thoughts because they become your words, your habits and your destiny.”

Bowman, benefits representative in the Division of Human Resources, Benefits and Wellness, doesn’t remember the author of the phrase, but it has stayed with him for many years and helped him navigate various challenges throughout his career.

Growing up in Highland Park, Bowman remembers the brighter days of Detroit’s smaller neighbor – a three-square-mile area sandwiched into an area around Six Mile Road and stretching over both sides of Woodward. “I recall the time back in the 1960s when Highland Park was called ‘The City of Trees,’” Bowman said. “The city was quite impressive, with stately homes and lots of trees.”  

His passion for the city soon translated into involvement at the grass-roots level, participating in three block clubs in various roles, including president. In the fall of 2003, Bowman decided to throw his hat in the political ring and run for a city council seat. Though his bid was unsuccessful, the race was close, and he counted it as a learning experience.

Bowman’s affiliation with Wayne State began when he entertained thoughts of earning a degree. “I had a really good job with Perry Drugstores [now Rite Aid] working as a retail merchandising manager. But I knew that my goal of earning a degree would be more achievable if I moved on to other employment – namely at Wayne State.”

Hiring in as a custodian technician in 1994, he soon advanced to a supervisory position within that department. In 1998, he joined human resources, where he has remained in various roles including his current position as benefits representative.  

During his tenure at Wayne State, Bowman has methodically followed his formula, earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and enjoying career advancement. He also has pursued interests such as learning Mandarin – describing his level of understanding the language as just conversational, or, “enough to offer proper salutations.”

Bowman’s communication skills also include a longtime proficiency in American Sign Language. He grew up using sign language around his grandparents, who were both deaf.

Outside of the workplace and community involvement, Bowman’s interests range from reading, bowling, working out (sometimes twice daily) and nutrition. Also included on his agenda is dropping by his eight-acre undeveloped property in Kentucky – a site he hopes to develop in the future.

At the top of his interest list is family. During a 26-year marriage, Bowman, his wife, Angela, and their two children, Alaric, 24, and Ariel, 18, have travelled coast to coast throughout the United States.

“There’s nothing like it. To be able to see the country at ground level and enjoy with your family," he said. "It simply doesn’t get any better.”

(If you would like to nominate a Wayne State employee for a future “Getting to Know” feature story, please send your recommendation to media@wayne.edu.)