Elliott Toulmin Bowers was born August 22, 1919, in Oklahoma City. After a move to Texas, he graduated from Mexia High School in 1936. In 1937, Bowers chose to attend college at Sam Houston State Teachers College. While studying in college, Bowers was named director of music at Huntsville High School from 1937 to 1942.

In 1941, he received his bachelor's degree in music and continued his studies, receiving his master degree in music one year later. Bowers served in the Air Force from 1943 to 1946 teaching meteorology and navigation and he also served in counterintelligence in the South Pacific for two years.

He served as director of testing and guidance at Sam Houston from 1946 to 1951 and as director of the student union from 1951 to 1959. In 1959, he earned his doctorate in educational administration from the University of Houston. He served as vice president for university affairs and dean of students from 1959 to 1970. 

He served as acting president on two occasions: first, in 1962-64 due to the illness and subsequent death of Dr. Harmon Lowman; and again when Dr. Templeton resigned to become the founding president of the University of Texas at San Antonio.

In June of 1970, he was interim president again, and he was honored with the permanent position in October of that year.

Nine major facilities were constructed on the SHSU campus during Bowers' administration. They include (use of current names for each facility) the Teacher Education Center, University Theatre Center, George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center, Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, Dan Rather Communication Building, Bowers Stadium and Field House, Lee Drain Building and Mall, Health and Kinesiology Center, and the Fine Arts Building housing the programs in Music.

Dr. Bowers' priorities as president included academics, construction and renovation, faculty development, and student recruiting. While awaiting the final action of a proposal to rename Bearkat Stadium for Bowers, he was asked how he would like to be remembered, he puffed a couple of times on his pipe and replied, "That I cared."

Dr. Bowers was designated President Emeritus, and the football stadium was named in his honor.

A donation may be made in President Elliott T. Bowers' honor to: The E. T. Bowers Honors Program Endowment.

Sources include The Houstonian, August 12, 1989, The Houstonian, April 23, 1971 and Walker County, Texas: A History, 1986.