Tulane Engineering Forum

Scott C. Cowen

Dr. Scott S. Cowen became the 14th President of Tulane University on July 1, 1998. In addition to his position as President, Dr. Cowen also holds a joint appointment as the Seymour S Goodman Memorial Professor of Business in Tulane's A.B. Freeman School of Business and Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Since his arrival at Tulane, Dr. Cowen has initiated an ambitious strategic plan and capital campaign that continues to position the University as one of the truly distinguished research institutions in the country. The University's plan builds on its unique location in the Gulf South and in New Orleans, a culturally rich and diverse community.

The plan focuses on building a distinctive undergraduate experience; strengthening the University's research and graduate programs, especially in the sciences and engineering; expanding the University's regional and international partnerships to enhance its research and learning initiatives; and further developing the University's technology infrastructure, including its distance learning capabilities and library system. In addition, Dr. Cowen is preparing the university for a major capital campaign to support its strategic plan.

Dr. Cowen came to Tulane after a 14-year term as Dean and Albert J. Weatherhead, III Professor of Management at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Cowen was a member of the Case Western Reserve faculty for 23 years. As Dean, Dr. Cowen led the Weatherhead School through an incredible period of growth and development, earning it national recognition as one of the top management schools in the United States.

Besides his achievements in the academic world, Dr. Cowen also has extensive experience in business as a corporate director and consultant. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Newell Rubbermaid Inc., American Greetings Corporation, Jo-Ann Stores Inc. and Forest City Enterprises Inc. He has also consulted with dozens of companies, from start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, during his professional career. In addition, he sits on several community boards, including the New Orleans Business Council, Metrovision, New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater New Orleans. Dr. Cowen has held several leadership positions in national academic and professional organizations, including the presidency of the AACSB: the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. He is also a member of the Leadership Council of the American Council of Education and the Business-Higher Education Forum. Dr. Cowen is the co-author of four books and has published more than 60 articles in academic and professional journals focused on issues dealing with corporate governance, strategic planning and the development of management systems.

A recipient of several honors and awards, including the Torch of Learning from Hebrew University and the Weatherhead School of Management Teaching Excellence Award, Dr. Cowen is also the only academic inductee into the School of Business Hall of Fame at the University of Connecticut. He was also recently named The George Washington University Distinguished Alumni Scholar for 1998-99.

Dr. Cowen received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Connecticut and his master's and doctoral degrees in business administration from The George Washington University. He and his wife, Marjorie, are the parents of four children.