Mike Bower, president of Lake Region State College in Devils Lake, is one of three finalists for the president's position at Owens Community College in suburban Toledo, Ohio.
He will visit the school Monday as part of a two-day series of public forums and meetings with employees, students and community members by all three candidates.
The 62-year-old Ohio native said he hopes to return to that part of the country to be closer to family. His son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren live in northern Indiana, about four hours away from Toledo.
Owens Community College is the only school where he has applied. However, he said if he does not get the job, he will apply for others in the region. He and his wife, Carol, hope to move by summer.
"These are always tough decisions," he said. "It's because of family. It has nothing to do with the college here. And the community has been just wonderful."
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Bower came to Lake Region from Mott Community College in Flint, Mich., where he served as executive dean for continuing education at that multi-campus college with more than 10,000 students.
Owens has 16,161 students, amounting to about 9,100 full-time equivalents, at its Toledo-area main campus in Perrysburg, and 2,800, or 1,840 full-time equivalents, at its Findlay, Ohio, campus.
Lake Region has 2,021 students this semester.
Bower said he is proud of the collaboration that has developed between Lake Region and other institutions in the state, including partnerships with UND, North Dakota State University, Mayville State University and Minot State University.
"I've seen it here, throughout the higher education system in North Dakota," he said. "That's what we're here for, working as a team, for the students."
Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send email to kbonham@gfherald.com .
