Wilma Cairns Bowers (‘83) graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the School of Media, Arts, and Design with a concentration in Organizational Communication and a minor in Business. Wilma was recruited from JMU into the Verizon management development program and rose through the ranks to become the VP of Corporate Advertising and Brand Management. After a 20-year career at Verizon, Wilma joined her husband Bruce to grow their business, Bowers Design Build in McLean Virginia. Bowers Design Build is recognized as a national award-winning architectural services and construction firm.

Wilma has dedicated her philanthropic energy over the past 40 years toward student health and wellness. She served as an appointee to the Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Council for Fairfax County Public Schools and was a PTA board member for 14 years.

At JMU, Wilma is a Founder and current member of the Women for Madison Amethyst Circle and served as the organization’s Vice Chair, Chair and Chair Emeritus for six years. Together with 200 other JMU women, Wilma led the organization’s philanthropic initiative to raise over $1M for student scholarships. In addition, she created the Dolley Madison Dukes Pay It Forward Endowed Scholarship Fund in 2017. In 2024, Wilma received the Inez Graybeal Roop Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

Wilma is proud wife and business partner to Bruce Bowers, mom to Sade (’17, BS Health Science) and Mary Bowers.