Sympathy to the Family, Friends and Former Colleagues of Gina Bowman
JONESBORO – The Arkansas State University community today mourns the passing of Gina Bowman, one of Arkansas State’s most dedicated former staff members.
Bowman retired in 2022 as director of media relations in the Office of Communications and Marketing, where she was employed for the last 14 years of her A-State career. In addition to writing news releases, alumni magazine articles, and website content about faculty, staff and students, she became popular as #Regina among social media followers anxiously waiting the university’s weather-related closing announcements.
In 1976 Bowman joined the sports information staff in the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics as assistant director, after earning her Bachelor of Science in journalism degree at A-State.
A talented writer who became very knowledgeable about all of the university’s athletic programs, she was promoted to assistant athletics director for media relations in 1994, becoming one of the first female sports information directors for an NCAA Division I institution. She also served as Arkansas State's Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) from 1994-2002.
During her career Bowman worked with at least 35 head coaches and eight of A-State's 13 athletics directors. She was highly regarded among countless athletes who stayed in contact with her over the years. She also mentored dozens of student assistants who went on to have successful careers in journalism and public relations across the country.
When the university celebrated its centennial in 2009-10, Bowman was among 100 employees selected for inclusion on the Staff Centennial Wall of Honor, in recognition of her career contributions to the institution.
The A-State Lettermen’s Club named her an Honorary Letter Winner at its 2021 Hall of Honor banquet, another salute to her longtime loyalty to the institution’s athletic programs, athletes, and coaching staffs. She concluded her A-State career with 46 total years of service.
Survivors include her brother, Michael Bowman, and numerous family members and close friends. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Friday, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday at Roller-Farmers Union Funeral Home. Details are in her obituary.
A scholarship fund in honor of Bowman and her former colleague, longtime sports information director Jerry Schaeffer, is being established through the Arkansas State University System Foundation, Inc., to support the SID student assistants program.
The clock tower of the Dean B. Ellis Library will be lighted scarlet Saturday evening as a memorial tribute to Bowman and her devotion to Arkansas State.
