The New Mexico State University Board of Regents will award longtime NMSU supporter and philanthropist Wanda R. Bowman an honorary Doctor of Letters in recognition of her decades of service to the university and the Las Cruces community. NMSU President Valerio Ferme will present the degree during commencement ceremonies beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, May 15, at the Pan American Center, 1810 E. University Ave.
Honorary degree recipients are distinguished individuals whose contributions have meaningfully shaped the educational, business, scientific and cultural life of New Mexico and the nation. Since 1927, when the first honorary doctorate was awarded to horticulturist Fabián García, NMSU has conferred 172 honorary doctoral degrees, recognizing individuals both during their lifetimes and posthumously.
Bowman is a respected entrepreneur, philanthropist and civic leader whose influence in southern New Mexico spans more than 50 years. Born in Illinois and later living in St. Louis, Bowman moved to Las Cruces in 1971 with her late husband, Robert, to seek a healthier climate for their child. What began as a small, family run electronics and appliance business eventually grew into the region's Ashley Store, now one of the largest furniture showrooms in southern New Mexico.
"I'm incredibly grateful to President Valerio Ferme, Regent Ammu Devasthali and the NMSU Foundation for this honor," Bowman said. "There are so many people who quietly give their time, talent and resources to help others succeed. I'm proud to stand with them and to continue supporting a university that means so much to this community."
A pioneer in business, Bowman championed energy-efficient practices well before they were widely adopted and worked to expand opportunities for women in her workforce. She also has supported NMSU athletics and other scholarship programs, as well as initiatives within Las Cruces Public Schools. Additionally, she served on the Youth Conservation Corps Board and as a member of Revolution 120, assisting families facing unexpected hardship.
Known for her ongoing efforts to provide beds to children in need, Bowman has donated nearly 400 beds to date, believing deeply that a good night's sleep is essential to a child's education and well‑being. Even after retiring from the Ashley Store in 2024, she continues this mission. Under the renewed support of the president and CEO of Ashley Furniture, Bowman's Hope to Dream campaign will continue donating hundreds of beds to children in Las Cruces.
"Wanda Bowman exemplifies what it means to invest in people and places, supporting our students while also providing essentials that help families thrive," said Sylvia Y. Acosta, CEO of the NMSU Foundation. "Her generosity has strengthened NMSU across generations, and her passionate support for Aggie Athletics, innovation and engineering reflects a deep belief in education and opportunity, one that continues to open doors for our students and our region."
A devoted Aggie supporter, Bowman has backed NMSU Athletics in distinctive ways, including purchasing and auctioning the historic Lou Henson era Pan American Center parquet floor to benefit the athletic department. Her philanthropic focus, however, centers on innovation and hands-on learning. With an entrepreneurial background and a son who is an NMSU engineering alumnus, she has been a strong supporter of initiatives such as the Aggie Innovation Space.
Bowman has received numerous honors, including Citizen of the Year and the Las Cruces International Film Festival's "Hometown Hero" award. She often credits the community for her success, saying simply, "This community has been so good to me."
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-supporter-bowman-to-receive-honorary-doctoral-degree/s/33eaa01a-433a-4b7a-b385-0b5483ce9642
