Lee Williams, a senior program assistant in the department of clinical sciences, said she was feeling down when she encountered Bowman, who looked at Williams and said, “I see God all over you.’’

So began one of the many friendships Bowman has formed with College of Medicine employees. After Robert Glueckauf, professor of medical humanities and social sciences, nominated Bowman for the King award, Lee added a letter of recommendation in which she wrote, “When you meet Retha, you will truly feel as though your soul has been hugged.’’

Bowman, a Building Services employee assigned housekeeping duties at the College of Medicine, may be the first King award winner not in a highly visible role at the university. But she shares with past winners the common thread of broad vision that steers her influence beyond the scope of her duties.

Bowman is completing her AA in general studies at Tallahassee Community College, and has a dream of one day enrolling in medical school at FSU.

Bowman said she was inspired by King’s “Letter from the Birmingham Jail’’ to make a difference, no matter how big or small, in the lives of everyone she meets.

“I made an intentional decision to affect those I come in contact with, with extreme love,’’ Bowman said.