UCM's H. Lawrence Cowan dies following brief illness
Jul 18, 2008, 11:27 AM
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Cowan died Thursday July 17, after a brief illness.
During the 11 months Cowan served the university, he began introducing a culture of philanthropy to the UCM campus and building stronger programs in alumni relations, annual giving, corporate relations and major gifts.
He had a strong vision to help the university achieve its goals, realized through such efforts as a Presidents Society benefit event, a new university magazine, and increased alumni gatherings throughout the United States. He planned fundraising strategies for one of the university’s most ambitious growth spurts, including major expansion of the Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport and a PGM-sanctioned golf program for the Department of Marketing and Legal Studies and Keth Memorial Golf Course.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our good friend and colleague, Larry Cowan,” said UCM President Aaron Podolefsky. “He made tremendous progress in the short time he spent on this campus, and we will miss him. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Prior to coming to UCM, Cowan was associate vice president for development and alumni affairs at Lynn University, a private coeducational school of 2,500 students in Boca Raton, Fla. There, Cowan secured major gifts, including $1.5 million to create the university's first endowed professorship and $620,000 - the largest gift from the parent of a current Lynn student - to establish the Diagnostic Center at the Institute for Achievement and Learning.
UCM is similar in size, mission and academic scope to another institution that Cowan served, Plattsburgh State University in New York. As director of corporate and athletic development, he fostered initiatives resulting in a 220 percent increase for the college foundation's annual business campaign and a four-fold increase for athletic development efforts. He also secured a leadership gift for a new baseball stadium, the largest individual gift to Plattsburgh by a living alumnus.
Cowan's higher education background also includes experience as a college basketball coach, athletic director and assistant vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. He had a bachelor of science degree from Ithaca College and a master's degree from Syracuse University.
He is survived by his wife, Margie, and two daughters, Casey and Alexis. Cards may be sent to them at 21574 Cavandish Road, Boca Raton, Fla. 33433.
