Dr. Richard Elbert Cowan

In 1983 - my senior year at Shorter a non denominational group of students - faculty - and staff met weekly in the library for one purpose - for prayer. Dr. Cowan never missed a week and his gentle deep faith inspires me still 32 years later.

I first met Richard in his Calculus class at Shorter when I was a freshman. His devotion to helping students learn was exemplary and much appreciated by all. It was a pleasure to return to Shorter as a faculty member and have such a wonderful colleague. He touched my life as he did hundreds of others. His work at Shorter helped the institution, faculty, staff, and students thrive. May the family be comforted by the prayers of all of us who hold him dear.

So a bright light for math and teaching is now shining with the stars, and calcualting how many gold bricks are in the streets of gold...I will miss you and your ability to teach me Math, when nobody else could.

This just breaks my heart. What a brilliant man and gentle soul. RIP Dr. Cowan. Much love and respect ❤