Servite President Announces Plans to Step Down

ANAHEIM, California – March 9, 2018 –  Today, Servite High School President Peter S. Bowen ’82 announced that he will be stepping down at the end of the 2017-18 school year. Bowen, an author and former Marine Corps pilot, plans to focus on consulting, speaking and writing engagements in the areas of ethics, leadership and education. Bowen is only the third president in Servite’s history and was named the first lay president of Servite in 2004. He is an alumnus of the Servite Class of 1982.

“I am very grateful to the Servite Order and the Servite Board of Directors for the opportunity to serve in a leadership role in the Servite High School ministry for the last 14 years. It has been a great journey, but it is time to start a new adventure,” said Bowen. “The faculty and staff at Servite have been some of the best people with whom I have ever served. I am proud of what they have accomplished in forming faith-filled leaders. As my wife Angie and I transition to a different role in our Servite community, we wish our school and everyone the very best.”

During his tenure, Bowen led the development of Servite’s unique Formation and Priory Leadership Programs which have been recognized for their innovative structure and have served as a model for similar programs at other secondary schools.

Servite began an ambitious capital campaign under Bowen’s leadership, raising more than $14 million in funds to transform the venerable campus. Extensive renovations have been completed as a result, including: an updated quad, Alumni Garden (2012), a renovated Library/Media Center (2015) and, most recently, the opening of the Fr. Kevin Fitzpatrick Aquatic Center (2017).  Bowen regularly spends time in the classroom with the students of Servite and frequently led leadership courses. He has been a vocal supporter of Servite student programs and can regularly be found on the sidelines of sporting events, attending performances by the award-winning Tri-School Theatre program, supporting student religious retreats, or cheering on the highly ranked Robotics team.

“This is a bittersweet moment for Servite,” said Principal Mike Brennan. “We are happy for Pete as he pursues the next stage of his career, but we will miss his visionary leadership and positive influence on our faculty, staff and students. We are grateful for the impact he has had on thousands of our students.

Bowen was instrumental in forming the first Servite Board of Directors in 2009.  Phil Stump, the current board president, expressed gratitude for Bowen’s contributions to Servite.  “Over the last 14 years, Servite has been transformed under Pete’s leadership, with outstanding new programs that afford students the opportunity to explore their passions, and first-rate facilities, which provide a top quality environment for learning and personal growth.  The future for the Servite Brotherhood is brighter than ever. The foundation that Pete has laid will help ensure that Servite’s commitment to service, faith and brotherhood impacts the lives of thousands of talented young Friars for many years to come.”

Bowen came to Servite High School from the Los Angeles Unified School District where he held the position of ethics officer and was responsible for creating the first public education ethics program. Prior to this, he was a leadership and ethics consultant, and an executive with several high-technology companies.

Servite High School, located in Anaheim CA, is a Catholic, college preparatory school for boys, with a mission of forming faith-filled leaders. The school was founded by the Order Friar Servants of Mary in 1958.

More About Pete Bowen:
Bowen taught at Duke University where he was a visiting assistant professor, and director of undergraduate studies and Officer-in-Charge for the Department of Naval Science. He also taught at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) and North Carolina State University.

Bowen served eleven years on active duty as an officer in the United States Marine Corps where he was an AV-8B Harrier pilot and instructor. He retired from the Marine Corps Reserves after 24 years of total service.

An expert on ethics, leadership and culture, Bowen has been a guest on national television and radio shows including the O’Reilly Factor, The Hugh Hewitt Show, Discovery Channel and the Fox News channel. He has published papers and been a featured speaker at academic and professional conferences. Bowen has led departments in information systems, logistics, operations and training, personnel administration, plant management and substance abuse counseling. He serves as an instructor teaching leadership and ethics in the California Department of Justice’s Command College course for law enforcement executives.

Bowen received his M.A. from Duke University and his B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, concentrating his interdisciplinary studies at both schools on ethics, philosophy, intellectual history and culture.

Media Contact:
Josh Beckman, Director of Communications
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