For more than five decades, Wanda R. Bowman has quietly shaped Las Cruces through hard work, generosity, and a deep belief in community. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and steadfast champion for children and education, her impact can be felt across southern New Mexico — often in ways that begin at home.
Born in Illinois and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Wanda built her early life alongside her late husband, Robert, an engineer with McDonnell Douglas. In 1971, the family made a life-changing decision to move to Las Cruces in search of a climate better suited to their son’s health. What began as a practical family choice soon became the foundation of an enduring legacy in the community, and at New Mexico State University.
Building a Business – and a Community
After relocating to Las Cruces, the Bowmans opened a small television repair and sales shop with Robert’s brother. None of them, Wanda admitted, knew much about selling. Determined to learn, she took matters into her own hands, spending many evenings at the NMSU Library after putting her children to bed, reading business and marketing books late into the night.
“We lived just down the street from NMSU, and the library was open until midnight,” she said. “You didn’t have to be a student, and I could take advantage of all that was available in that wonderful library. One book that really resonated with me was How to Win Friends and Influence People. I spent so much time on campus and always felt welcome and perfectly safe learning on my own.”
That self-taught education proved transformative. Under Wanda’s leadership, the family business evolved from a modest electronics shop into Ashley HomeStore, now one of the largest furniture showrooms in southern New Mexico. A trailblazer in business, Wanda championed energy efficiency long before it became common practice and worked intentionally to create opportunities for women in the workforce. Even as the business grew, she remained grounded in the belief that success should lift others along the way.
NMSU became woven into the fabric of family life as well. As the business expanded and the Bowmans needed help at home, they welcomed NMSU students into their household. “We had four bedrooms, a spare room, and a bath,” Wanda recalled. “We provided housing, meals, and a small stipend for coeds to live with us while they attended school.”
As the kids grew, they spent long afternoons with friends at the Alumni Pond, fishing, feeding ducks, and forging memories that tied NMSU even more closely to the family’s story.
Giving Back, One Cause at a Time
Wanda’s commitment to service extends far beyond the storefront. She has long supported New Mexico State University and Las Cruces Public Schools through athletics, fine arts, and scholarship programs. She has served on the Youth Conservation Corps Board and is an active member of Revolution 120, helping local families navigate unexpected hardship.
Perhaps her most heartfelt work is her ongoing effort to ensure children have a safe, comfortable place to sleep. Through a program that has already provided more than 400 beds to children in need, Wanda has remained steadfast in her belief that a good night’s sleep is essential to a child’s education, health, and sense of security.
Even after retiring in 2024, this mission continues. With renewed support from the president and CEO of Ashley Furniture Industries, Wanda’s Hope to Dream campaign is once again delivering hundreds of beds to children in Las Cruces — offering comfort, stability, and care to families across the community.
“Wanda loves this community. When she sees a need, she fills the need,” said former New Mexico Governor and former New Mexico State University Chancellor and President Garrey Carruthers. “She has done everything imaginable to make this community and this university better. Her service is a role model — as a business leader, a community leader, and a university leader.”
Family, Values, and the Aggie Connection
Wanda is quick to credit her children for their constant support and inspiration. Her daughter, Kathleen Bowman Rubio, is a nursing graduate of the University of New Mexico and serves as a children’s pastor at Albion Caring Community Wesleyan Church. Her son Kurtis, an NMSU graduate in electrical engineering, works at AMD as director of strategy and architecture. Her son Paul earned a degree in public relations from Northern Arizona University and owns Kentland Carpentry Plus LLC. Their achievements mirror the values that have guided Wanda throughout her life: commitment, curiosity, and service.
A devoted Aggie fan, Wanda has supported NMSU Athletics in distinctive ways, including purchasing and auctioning the historic Lou Henson-era Pan American Center parquet floor to benefit the athletics department. While she enjoys sports, her deepest philanthropic passion lies in innovation. With an entrepreneurial mindset and a son who is an NMSU engineering alumnus, she is especially drawn to programs like the Aggie Innovation Space, where creativity, invention, and hands-on learning come together.
A Legacy Rooted in Gratitude
Over the years, Wanda has received numerous honors, including being named Citizen of the Year and the Las Cruces International Film Festival’s 2024 Hometown Hero. Yet she remains grounded in gratitude. “This community has been so good to me,” she said.
Through business leadership, quiet generosity, and an unwavering commitment to lifting others, Wanda Bowman exemplifies what it means to invest in a community — not just for today, but for generations to come.