COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (April 15, 2005) — Tennessee Board of Regents member Edgar R. "Buddy" Bowers will address more than Tennessee Tech University graduates during spring commencement beginning at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 7, in Hooper Eblen Center.

Bowers, who was appointed to the TBR in 1999, established a distinguished career in law and industry and currently plays a key role in many state historical organizations. After several years' private law practice in his native Roane County and 30 years as a corporate counsel, he retired in 1999 as vice president and general counsel of Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corp.

With a special interest in history, he is active in many historical organizations, played a key role in recent formation of the Nine Counties Preservation Alliance, and served four years on the Tennessee Historical Commission before his accepting his TBR post.
He attended Georgia Tech, received a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and was an honor graduate of the Emory University Law School, earning a doctor of jurisprudence "with distinction" and several other academic awards.

Bowers has participated in numerous professional, civic and service activities for many years. He now serves on the board of directors of both Roane County United Way and Nine Counties. One Vision, a regional planning and improvement process in middle East Tennessee.

Bowers is married to the former Kay Shoun, a native of Mountain City, Tenn., who also retired in 1999 after more than 30 years as administrative assistant to the Roane County Superintendent of Schools. Their son, David, is a graduate of Emory University and resides in Atlanta.

--Karen Lykins
This information posted 18 April 2005