George S. McCowen Jr.

Professor McCowen had a great impact on my education, and life as a follower of Jesus. He encouraged me and made American colonial history come alive. I eventually became a fifth grade teacher in McMinnville, OR, where my favorite subject to teach was early American history, particularly the colonial period. (Coincidentally my son teaches AP US History in Redmond, WA. The history bug continues!) I also was privileged to get to know Gail through attending church together at St. Tim's...

While at Willamette U., Dr. McCowan modeled professional excellence and a love of history. As a student I learned from him that history is an exacting enterprise when he explained that my term paper on Herbert Hoover failed to include some of the weightier biographies. I took that lesson with me to graduate school where Dr. McCowan's example inspired me to get a Master's in American History. To this day I don't read history without thinking of him.

I was a student of Dr. McCowen's at Willamette where he was one of my most influential professors. He had very high standards in a tough course in which he led a group of restless students in a gentle but firm manner. He was also the professor that told me, in the kindest manner, that I was not living up to my capabilities. Dr. McCowen lives on in my memory as one of those individuals who shapes your future as an adult.