History Prof. Bill Bowman has been working at Gettysburg College since 1994. Having lived in several countries, he leverages his global perspective to encourage students to embrace intercultural fluency in connecting the past, present, and future.
History Prof. Bill Bowman joined the Gettysburg College community in 1994. Originally from Woodburn, Oregon, his dream was to work for a liberal arts institution, where he could fully lean into his holistic approach to teaching.
“At Gettysburg, you’re not just a member of a college but of a true academic community,” he shared. “You can build close relationships with students and incorporate numerous fields into your teaching. I came here because I am a true believer in this style of education.”
Throughout his life, Bowman has lived and worked in several countries, including Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Spain, and Italy. These experiences have had a profound impact on his teaching style and the perspectives that he brings to the classroom, including his strong advocacy for language acquisition and intercultural fluency.
Specializing in 19th- and 20th-century European History, Bowman emphasizes the importance of reading, digesting, and critically analyzing historical texts in his classes. He speaks three languages and highly values engaging with these texts in their original languages. “If a student can use another language in their research, I will always encourage them to do so,” he said.
Bowman’s ongoing research focuses on Vienna, a city he visited this past summer and in Fall 2023 while on sabbatical. He is currently writing a book that highlights the importance of studying history when approaching contemporary topics, like urban development. “Vienna is often voted the most livable city in the world for various reasons,” he explained. “It opens the conversation about the future of global cities, particularly regarding sustainability and the emphasis on green spaces.”
With his extensive international background, Bowman encourages his students and advisees to study abroad during their time at Gettysburg so that they may also gain a broader understanding of global cultures and history. “I have been in academics for a long time,” he reflected, “but I am a product of my time abroad, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for those experiences.”
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By Brooke Askin ’25
Photos by Sofia Gutierrez ’26
Posted: 03/26/25