Time praises Scott Cowen

Time Magazine recognized Tulane University President Scott Cowen as one of the top-10 college presidents in the United States. The magazine cited Cowen’s leadership after Hurricane Katrina as the primary reason for the award.

The list Time is publishing today praises Cowen as an individual who emerged as both an academic and civic leader following Katrina. Despite the fact that New Orleans’ three other universities — Xavier, Dillard and Loyola — also showed resilience, Cowen alone received recognition for his strong role in the community. He founded the Scott S. Cowen Institute for public education initiatives, which works to improve public education in the city. Cowen said it is this commitment to public service that makes Tulane stand out among universities.

“One of the critical decisions we made [after Katrina] was to integrate public service into the university’s core curriculum so that every student would engage in public service for all four years,” Cowen said.

Cowen said he could not have brought the university back without the help of others.

“I’m not sure whether I deserved recognition or not,” Cowen said. “If I do it’s because I’m surrounded by terrific people, the faculty, staff and the students, and the collective action taken by the university.”

This is Time’s first list of this type.

“This is the only year they’ve done this, so it’s a pretty big honor,” Director of Public Relations Mike Strecker said.
The announcement will bring national attention to Tulane and New Orleans.

“I love the visibility this type of recognition this gives to Tulane and New Orleans,” Cowen said. “I think it’s nothing but positive for the university and the city.”

Strecker said he agrees.

“It’s a great honor for the university,” Strecker said. “It’s going to raise our profile and awareness of the good things that are happening at Tulane.”