Flora Shriver Bowers ’63 receives Leadership and Service Award

Cornell is pleased to recognize and honor Flora Shriver Bowers ’63 for a lifetime of leadership and service, reflecting the ideals of Cornell in everything she does.

Flora’s nickname in college was Flower and it’s been said that “everyone felt better after an encounter with Flower.”

Flora was a religion major and a campus leader here at Cornell, serving as secretary-treasurer and then president of the Social Center Activities Council.

After graduation from Cornell, Flora earned a master’s of science in theology from the Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University. It was there that she met and married Gerald Bowers. Flora served as a minister of Christian education in United Methodist churches across the Midwest, before moving to Washington state. During these years, she and Gerald raised three children.

Flora demonstrated her commitment to service by starting the Spokane chapter of PFLAG and creating an interdenominational support retreat for people with HIV, called Strength for the Journey. In recognition of Flora’s efforts, the United Methodist Church presented her with its Ruth Award, given for superlative service to the church.

After formally retiring in 2008 Flora continued to serve as interim pastor at two churches and as worship and arts director in another before re-retiring in 2015.

Flora has lived a life of caring and compassion, and thousands of people have had their burdens lightened because of her dedication to helping the community around her. On behalf of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the entire Cornell community, it is an honor to present Flora Shriver Bowers with the Leadership and Service Award.