The Bowers Medal of Arts was established to recognize and celebrate the vital role that Henry Bowers played in the development of and support for the visual and performing arts at NC State University.
During his tenure as director of the University Student Center, Mr. Bowers committed himself to the goal of making the arts an inseparable part of the educational experience for all NC State students. He worked ceaselessly to create opportunities for students to have access to a full range of the arts, whether as engaged and enlightened audiences or creative and innovative participants.
As an active participant in arts organizations in the state and region, Mr. Bowers has been an untiring advocate for all the arts, seeking to create a climate of cultural excellence that would be supportive of the arts and artists at all levels of endeavor.
His uncompromising personal vision and his commitment to artistic excellence has contributed immeasurably to the creation and propagation of the superior arts programs now established at NC State University that not only benefit students, staff, faculty and the larger community served by this land grant institution, but also have been recognized nationally as models for other institutions.
Bowers Medal of Arts recipients
The award recognizes supporters of ARTS NC STATE who give of their time, volunteering to support the mission and vision of bringing arts to NC State students and the community.
| 2022 Recipients |
 Susan and Randy Woodson |
| 2021 Recipient |
 Mary Ann Scherr (posthumously) |
| 2019 Recipients |
 Bing Sizemore (third from left)  Robert Black and Ormond Sanderson |
| 2018 Recipients |
 Elise and Phillip Stiles (center) |
| 2017 Recipients |
 Charlotte V. Wainwright |
| 2016 Recipients |
 Drs. Norman and Gilda Greenberg (left)  Smedes York (second from left) |
| 2015 Recipient |
 N. Alexander Miller, III (center) |
| 2013 Recipients | The NC State Student Body |
| 2012 Recipients |
 Thomas and Judy Stafford |
| 2011 Recipients |
 Jerry and Nina Jackson |
| 2010 Recipients |
 KD and Sara Lynn Kennedy |
| 2009 Recipients |
 Richard Bryant  Mimi and Claude E. McKinney (posthumously)  Paul Michaels |
| 2008 Recipient |
 Diane K. Howard |
| 2007 Recipients |
 Martha and Henry Zaytoun and Banks C. Talley, Jr. |
| 2006 Recipient |
 The Titmus Foundation |
| 2005 Recipients |
 The Masini Family |
| 2004 Recipients |
 Randall and Susan Ward |
| 2003 Recipient |
 Nancy Gregg |
| 2002 Recipient |
 Mary Regan |
| 2001 Recipient |
 Betsy Buford |
| 2000 Recipient |
 Henry Bowers |