With three acceptance letters in hand in spring 1967, Dr. R. Bowen Loftin ’71 had a difficult decision to make between several prominent Texas universities — the cost of his future weighing heavy on his mind. Thankfully, his choice became clear when the lasting legacy of a generous Aggie graced his Navasota, Texas, mailbox.
“In the midst of my financial challenge, an incredible thing happened,” Bowen recalled. “About a month after receiving my acceptance, Texas A&M University sent me a second letter offering a full-ride scholarship. It was a godsend and made my decision even easier.”
The support that initiated Bowen’s journey to Aggieland was made possible through the McFarland Physics Scholarship, a gift planned long before Bowen’s time to afford quality education to Aggies pursuing physics at Texas A&M.
“That experience is what introduced me to philanthropy,” Bowen said. “The thought of a person — someone I’d never have the chance to meet — caring that much about Texas A&M and the future of its students was a lesson I’d never forget, and it has certainly inspired how I’ve chosen to give back.”
Presidential Path
After receiving his bachelor’s degree a year early from Texas A&M in 1970, Bowen followed his dream of becoming a professor through a master’s and Ph.D. program at Rice University, a decision that would prove to pay off in more ways than one. When fellow classmates invited him to a social gathering at a local bar, Bowen engaged in a life-changing game of foosball against a particularly intriguing opponent — his future wife, Karin.
Fun Facts About Aggieland's Former President
- Bowties owned: 300+ (at least since the last time he counted)
- Favorite campus spot: Academic Plaza
- Adored Aggie tradition: Muster
- Admired leader: Former President George H.W. Bush
- Most memorable presidential moment: An audience member charged the stage at a graduation — seemingly beelining toward him — only to propose to the senior about to receive her diploma
“I let her win,” Bowen laughed. “We started spending a lot of time together after that, studying for exams and pursuing our academic careers. It was a whirlwind, but we were married soon after in the fall of 1972.”
Both embarking on careers rooted in research, the pair made incredible strides in each of their respective fields: Karin in her expertise of immunology and infectious diseases, and Bowen in academia related to artificial intelligence, computer science, materials science and physics. After gaining years of experience as a professor at the University of Houston and Old Dominion University, Bowen was called to become vice president and CEO of Texas A&M University at Galveston — a move that foreshadowed the Loftins’ forthcoming impact on Aggieland.
“Professionally, it was always my goal to help students be successful,” Bowen said of his passion. “Although I assumed a more administrative role in Galveston, I still made meaningful connections and came to know every faculty member, staff member and most students by name on that campus.”
When his leadership style landed Bowen the role of 24th president of Texas A&M University in 2010, he stayed true to his methods, making himself one of the most well-known leaders among the Aggie student body to date — often spending hours of his personal time responding to student messages on social media and keeping in touch with campus life. Characterized by his striking bowties, authentic personality and monumental guidance through the university’s historic transition into the Southeastern Conference, Bowen captured the attention and hearts of Aggieland during his tenure.
“Karin and I agreed that we had enough assets to use our retirement accounts to fund our charitable giving and leave our non-retirement accounts to our kids and grandkids,” he said. “It worked for us uniquely that our total net worth is roughly split 50/50 between our heirs and our favorite charities, and our planned giving will further augment the endowments we’ve established.”
This story was originally published by the Texas A&M Foundation.