SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Many colleges and universities have an institutional face, that man or woman whom students, alumni and community leaders instantly identify with the school.

Dave Zucconi was the face of Brown University for 50 years until his death, in 2003. Bill Bowers was the face of the University of Rhode Island for almost as long until his retirement this month.

Bowers was assistant director of athletics for operations at the time of his departure, but he is best known for his years of work in the alumni office and for about a decade in marketing and promotions in the athletics department. Among his many responsibilities, he directed the halftime activities for football and basketball games, organized bus trips to away games, and was the contact for events ranging from the URI Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner to fundraising golf tournaments.

Bowers attended URI in the 1960s and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He remained involved in fraternity activities and several years ago secured a grant for computers.

In addition to Bowers and Lauren Anderson, senior associate director of athletics, other department employees who retired this month are Jeanne Helma, assistant to the athletics director, who worked at URI for 28 years, and Dave Bascom, a member of the grounds crew.

Sue Bergen, associate director of athletics for finance, has assumed Anderson’s role as senior woman administrator, and Gina Sperry, an academic adviser, has been promoted to associate director of athletics and associate senior woman administrator.

mszostak@projo.com