William Cowan: Professor of Education

A. William Cowan. 1946. Professor of Education. BA (1934) and MA (1939) San Jose State University; Ed.D (1950) Stanford University. Cowan was the first person hired by President J. Paul Leonard for the Education Division, who reorganized the Teacher Education Program and organized Leonard’s vision of a solid liberal arts college. Cowan was the Leonard’s first Director of Extension (the forerunner of Extended Education) to assist in emergency credentialing of future California teachers during the post-war baby boom years. Cowan initiated the first off-campus summer school programs for teacher training on satellite campuses that later became Sonoma State University and CSU Stanislaus. From 1961-1966, Cowan directed the Overseas Project in Liberia, West Africa, known as the Liberia Project. Cowan retired in 1979. He died May 6, 1986.