Emory Cowan: Unrecognized Humanistic Hero

This blog was original written as I was reflecting upon my years as a core faculty at the Colorado School of Professional Psychology/University of the Rockies shortly after accepting a position at a different school. It was submitted to the Heroes of Humanity Project (http://www.heroesofhumanityproject.com), but felt it also needed to be shared with a broader audience. 

Emory Cowan is one of the least known great figures in the history of humanistic and existential psychology. A Vietnam veteran and former minister, he found his way to the existential writers largely through literature. Later in his professional career, Dr. Cowan became a Marriage and Family Therapist and then attended Saybrook University where he obtained his PhD studying with Rollo May and other greats of the humanistic-existential tradition. While studying at Saybrook, he was chair of the psychology program at Chapman University’s Colorado Springs campus. When Chapman decided to shut down this campus, Dr. Cowan met with the faculty and asked, “Are you ready to quit teaching? I’m not.” Emory and these faculty then decided to build the Colorado School of Professional Psychology (COSPP).

It was not easy to build a graduate school from scratch in the late 1990s, but Emory, Sue Cooper, and other founders of the school made the seemingly impossible happen. They attained regional accreditation with many accolades on the first attempt. COSPP, within years of accepting its first student, was beginning to receive national recognition, including two nominations for Charolette Buehler Award with the Society for Humanistic Psychology.

Although not a humanistic or existential school, the school’s humanistic values and existential influence were evident to anyone blessed to walk the halls of this school. Despite the great academic success of the school and the success of its early graduates, the financial pressures of a new school were too much, leading to COSPP being sold and becoming part of the University of the Rockies (UoR). Today, much has changed from the original spirit, culture, and values of the school, but COSPP was a shooting star and credit to the humanistic and existential movement for the few years it streaked across the sky. During that time, many influential humanistic scholars (Kirk Schneider, Ed Mendelowitz, Myrtle Heery, Tom Greening, and David Elkins, to name a few) taught and spoke at COSPP/UoR. Also, many students and future leaders in the humanistic/existential movement studied at COSPP/UoR.  Through these people, COSPP and the influence of this great man continue.

As a leader, Emory had a number of characteristics that were quite influential on the success of the school. First, Emory is very inspirational, especially through his abilities as a story teller. His accounts of how the school began became mythical (in the Rollo May understanding of myth) and served to sustain the school through many difficult periods. Second, Emory was very attuned to his faculty and their needs. He seemed to know when they needed encouragement and inspiration, and he was good at delivering at these times. Third, Emory was very human. He did not hide his flaws or mistakes, he shared them with us. He trusted people with his imperfections. Emory was aware, I believe, of the risks he took in sharing his imperfections with us, but he also seemed to know that in doing so we would come together stronger, each of us drawing upon our strengths and recognizing our limitations. His faculty knew that as long as they took responsibility for their limitations and mistakes, they would receive compassion, acceptance, and support. Part of what united us as the strong team we became was that we all knew our limitations, took responsibility for them, and asked for support and help. We learned from each other and took care of each other. And no one wanted to let Emory down, not because of the fear of consequence, but because they did not want to disappoint him. This bound us like a family – one that sometimes fought, often disagreed, but we stuck together.

Emory Cowan had an enormous impact upon me, in particular. I was a young faculty member with little formal training in existential psychology, my primary professional passion, when I met Emory. He was willing to take a chance on me and hired me as a faculty member at COSPP. It was there that I was provided with the environment where I was able establish myself and my professional identity. Now, having recently accepted a position at Saybrook University, one of the top humanistic and existential schools in the world, I know that the many accomplishments and successes of my career would not be if not for Emory Cowan. I know, too, that I am one of many touched by Emory. So many faculty and students, and now their students, were impacted by what Emory and the other founders of COSPP created. Today, there are many young scholars who I have no doubts will make great contributions to the future development of existential and humanistic psychology, that owe their foundation to Emory’s school. Although Emory Cowan’s name may never find its way into the History of Psychology textbooks, or even the histories of humanistic and existential psychology, his contributions surely make him one of the greats of this movement. His influence will live on, even if unrecognized.

Comments

[Erica Palmer]

Dr. Hoffman, Thank you for honoring Dr. Cowan in this way. Dr. Cowan, You have impacted so many with your leadership and vision for the school. Since your departure, the school has not been the same and you have been sorely missed. Thank you for your contributions to the school, to the community, to my own education and personal development, and to the field of psychology.

[Cathy Calvert]

Dr. Cowan,
I have so many things to thank you for over the years and I am so very grateful that you accepted the calling to start COSPP and to nurture it's growth, as well as it's students. Your impact in my life is hard to measure with mere words and my family, my work, and my journey have been forever changed because you were a part of it. My initial decision to even attend COSPP was based on the fact that you were a significant part of the school. My understanding of the work you were doing at Sunrise and how you were helping others made the decision to be a part of your school easier. I have never regretted my choice of graduate schools.

I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some amazing people in the field of psychology. You created an environment at the school that allowed my passions, beliefs, and determination to grow. I found my home at COSPP and because of that I am able to successfully do the work I believe God had planned for me. I felt many times that I was in a safe place when you were there and that even during difficult times there was a sense that all was well, with not only my own soul, but the soul of the school and all who were a part.

I thank you for your generous gifts and for your willingness to always support me. I thank you for the care and consideration you have always shown my husband and children. But most of all I thank you for saying yes to a dream that made other dreams come true. As Louis said, you will be remembered through the work of those that learned from you and even for those who have not met you, their lives will be blessed.

[Brian Wiggett]

I want to add my words of praise and adoration to this conversation as well. Dr. Cowan was not only the visionary and effective leader described by Dr. Hoffman, but was so human and gracious to me as a student at COSPP. I had no formal training in psychology coming to the school, yet COSPP took a chance on me, as I took a chance on COSPP. The support Dr. Cowan gave me was immediate and always active. I particularly remember times of difficulty when he rose beyond the level of President or Founder, to demonstrate a compassion which simply would not exist at any other school. I am sad that I lost touch with Dr. Cowan, and deeply appreciate Dr. Hoffman's offer to open this blog to all of us who now have successful careers which would not have been possible without the vision of COSPP's founders.
Dr. Cowan: You are an example of what an effective teacher, leader, and a caring man looks like. The principles you taught me, both inside the classroom and out, are inspirational. I have been quite fortunate to have had the guidance and friendship of so many at COSPP. Thank you, and I hope to be in touch with you again.

[Debye Galaska]

Dr Cowan, I want to add my own gratitude from a former engineer, who was searching for a new vocation. When I stepped into COSPP, you literally inspired me into clinical psychology. What I love about you is that you have an unwavering center and passion, large enough to build a college, inspire a staff of professors, and bring students back into sharp focus when we get side-tracked into all the stuff we get side-tracked into along our journeys. You brought some of the most gifted psychologists I imagine I will ever meet into my life, and held the bar very high for your students. You have, sir, my undying respect and gratitude. (I finally am "Dr" - and I think of myself as a graduate of COSPP.)

[Sue Cooper]

Emory, I am so glad that Louis thought of this tribute to you because you deserve to know your impact on us all. I was so stretched while I was working with you to start the school, and your belief in me as an administrator and a faculty member was so appreciated as I ventured into academic areas I had not approached in the past. Your humor, compassion, belief in us as a faculty, and challenge to be all we could be as individuals and as part of the team inspired me to love cleaning bathrooms or writing a self-study--whatever was needed. I am so proud to call you my friend and my colleague and will be grateful all the days of my life to have known you and worked with you. Please know that you are loved and respected by so many of us.

[Michael Dow]

Louis--thanks for a wonderful tribute. I also am very grateful to Dr. Cowan. Though I never had a class with him, his warmth and largeness of heart pervaded the whole atmosphere of COSPP when I started there (2004) and was no small part in helping me to make it through five rather grueling years of doctoral studies. Though the program was new, and at times changes were fast and furious, Dr. Cowan was seemingly always there (even on the weekends) with his smiling, solid, papa bear presence. Again, though my interactions with him were generally brief, he always gave me the feeling that I was valued and important. It seemed that someone was "in charge," and it felt good to know that that person was warm, available and wise. Above all else, I must say that Dr Cowan emanates a sense of wisdom, of knowing himself, frailties and all, and knowing how to skillfully act in the world. I appreciated his talks (at various commencements and occasions) which seemed to often center around existential courage, the courage to take the risk to be who you are, to manifest everything that you are capable of. Thank you, Dr. Cowan, for your warmth, your generosity, and your wonderful example of having the courage to build something that you believe in.

[Sharon Trivette]

As I reflect over the years I spent as a student and administrator at COSPP, I can say that Dr. Cowan inspired me to be a better clinician, friend and person. I went to work at COSPP, believing I had found a home. The administration and faculty were made of outstanding people who cared about each other as people, not just colleagues and that caring came through to the students. I am so very fortunate that I did have a home at COSPP for as many years as I did. I will be forever grateful to have had that experience. I used to tease Dr. Cowan about existential psychology, but the truth is that because he lives what he teaches, I, and I suspect many many of his former students, are better; Better husbands and wives, friends, therapists/psychologists, members of our community and over all better human beings. Dr. Cowan is one in a million, honest, full of integrity, kindness, caring and a strength that allows each of us to explore who we are and he accepts us while pushing us to be just a little better and a little more.
You are truly an inspiration!

[Michelle Eddy]

Dr. Cowan,
I have a distinct memory of you on the day I defended my dissertation. I was in the classroom getting prepared for my defense when you stopped in and talked to me for just a moment. Your parting words were, "don't be nervous, you'll do great." Your confidence in me helped me calm down and I'm sure my presentation was much more professional due to your influence that day.
You are an excellent role model for those of us just getting our feet wet in the field. You are the picture of calm, professional, and forthright. Your belief in the school and the students has created an empire that will continue to serve the field of psychology, the community, and consumers for many years to come. Thank you for all you've done for us, both as a student body and as individuals.

[Cherise Wells]

Dr. Hoffman, thank you for taking the time to recognize the hard work of Dr. Emory Cowan, Jr. I first met Dr. Cowan during my admissions interview. He came in and introduced himself as Emory Cowan. I did not know who he was I just thought what a nice person. However, Dr. Knight, Jean Jones and Dr. Glidewell informed me that Emory Cowan was Dr. Cowan the President of The Colorado School of Professional Psychology. I then became anxious hoping Dr. Cowan did not think I talked too much. Instead he welcomed me and encouraged me to do my best. My next meeting with Dr. Cowan was during orientation weekend. He spoke on the sacrifices of entering graduate school and becoming a psychologist. His speech prepared me for the challenges I had faced while at COSPP. I did not know what to expect, but I remembered his words about what it was going to take to become a psychologist.

Dr. Cowan, thank you for being a leader and not sacrificing on excellence or your beliefs. As I reflect back on my days at COSPP, I see your dedication to the quality of the program and the success of the students. As President, you possessed integrity, compassion, and commitment to the field of psychology. As a student, I was amazed at your knowledge and humbled by your modesty. Dr. Cowan you embodied what it meant to be a psychologist, an educator, and an administrator. And I thank you for believing in me and pushing me when I thought I could go no further. I truly valued your expertise, time, intellect, and your apperception and respect for all theoretical orientations outside of Gestalt and Existential theories. Dr. Cowan you are truly missed, but your legacy will always be imparted in the foundation of the Colorado School of Professional Psychology

[Louis Hoffman]

From David Elkins:

When I was hired by University of the Rockies in 2009, various faculty members said to me, "You MUST meet Emory Cowan." Finally, I did and I was deeply touched by Emory's transparency and compassionate nature. I was impressed by the caring and compassionate nature of so many faculty members at U of R and in the early days of my tenure there, I often wondered to myself, "How did so many wonderful faculty members come together under one roof." Then, as I heard the various personal stories of faculty members, I discovered that almost all of them had been hired by Emory and/or deeply influenced by him during his years as president of Colorado School of Professional Psychology.

Emory, ultimately all we have to give is who we are and all we leave behind is the imprint we have made on the hearts and souls of others. Clearly, you have touched so many and made the world a better place... and I have no doubt that you will continue to do this as the years unfold. I salute you for all you gave at COSPP and for all the facculty, students, and others who were made better human beings because of you. I wish you well in all your future endeavors.

Dave Elkins, Former Core Faculty, University of the Rockies

[Louis Hoffman]

From Ilene Serlin:

Emory was one of my most memorable and favorite students at Saybrook. I'll always remember his humanity, his humility, and his way of sharing himself with us. His ability to initiate and create the Colorado School of Professional Psychology was bold and visionary, and he should be remembered with great appreciation for this.

But I'll never forget him appearing in a play we did at a Saybrook residential as Apollo, dressed in a Greek tunic.

I hope Emory is always able to remember his contributions and know how much they were appreciated--as a person, a psychologist, a man of God, a friend, and an educator.