The Bowen Scholarship was established in 1987 to honor Dr. Howard R. Bowen, president of Grinnell College from 1955 to 1964. The Bowen Scholarship competition is open to all Iowa high school seniors who are United States citizens and wish to attend Grinnell College. Recipients are selected on the basis of a scholarship examination and an on-campus interview. The examination follows an essay format covering a broad range of topics in the arts and sciences prepared by Grinnell professors. Each year, based on the examination results, 15 students are designated semi-finalists and invited to campus for an interview. Five winners are selected and awarded the Bowen Scholarship.