The Gregory Cowan Memorial Award for Excellence in the Teaching of English was established by Elizabeth Cowan in 1980 in memory of her husband, Greg Cowan, who died in 1979. An enthusiastic supporter of community colleges, Greg was the Chair of the National Community College Committee, instrumental in founding the regional organizations, an active member of CCCC and NCTE, and the author of six textbooks. First awarded in 1981, the Cowan Award celebrates excellence in teaching and is determined by the TYCA-SE State Representatives after the nomination process is completed. The Cowan Award is presented to an outstanding full-time English teacher at a two-year college in the Southeast who has been a member in good standing of TYCA-SE for a minimum of five years. It is the premier award given by TYCA-SE. As such, the Cowan Award recipient is honored in several ways at the annual conference: with a special session in which he or she gives a presentation to the members, with waived registration fees, with a $1000 stipend, with a commemorative plaque, and with a reception following the presentation.
Nomination Criteria
This nomination must be submitted by one person (who cannot be currently serving on the TYCA-SE Board or an appointed board position), but accompanied by the signatures of two other persons, not necessarily from the nominee's institution, one of whom must teach in the same subject area as the nominee. The nominee must be a member in good standing of TYCA-SE, must be willing to attend the annual conference in the nomination year, and must not be a current member of the REC.
Up to ten pages (one side each) of samples or descriptions of the nominee's work to support the nomination must be included. Also, provide up to five letters (not included in ten-page limit) from professional colleagues (within or outside your institution).
Past Winners
2024 – No Award Given
2023 – Jessica Brown
Holmes Community College (MS)
2022 – Gaye Winter
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MS)
2021 – No Award Given
2020 – Bridgette Weir
Nashville State Community College (TN)
2019 – David Hurner
Lake City Community College/Florida Gateway College (FL)
2018 – Kathryn Hix
Greenville Technical College (SC)
2017 – Laura Hammons
Hinds Community College (MS)
2016 – Thad Cockrill
Southwest Community College (TN)
2015 – Amoena Norcross
Tri-County Technical College (SC)
2014 – No Award Given
2013 – Sean J Glassberg
Horry-Georgetown Technical College (SC)
2012 – Debbie McCollum
Hinds Community College (MS)
2011 – Michele Singletary
Nashville State Community College (TN)
2010 – Donald Andrews
Chattanooga State Community College (TN)
2009 – Pat Modenbach
Missippi Gulf Coast Community College (MS)
2008 – Lorne Kotler
2007 – Delora J. Sumerel
Piedmont Technical College Greenwood (SC)
2006 – Harry Moore
Calhoun Community College Decatur (AL)
2005 – Susan Poston Allen
Greenville Technical College Greenville (SC)
2004 – Beverly Fatherree
Hinds Community College (MS)
2003 – Betsy Griffey
Florida State Community College at Jacksonville (FL)
2002 – Chuck McDonnell
Piedmont Technical College (SC)
2001 – Clem Welch
Coastal Carolina Community College (NC)
2000 – Win Loria
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (VA)
1999 – Faye Barham
Hinds Community College (MS)
1998 – Bobby Jean Wymer
Wytheville Community College (VA)
1997 – John Hutchens
Pitt Community College (NC)
1996 – Sue Grady
Greenville Technical College (SC)
1995 – Penny Sansbury
Florence-Darlington Technical College (SC)
1994 – Audrey Roth
Miami-Dade Community College (FL)
1993 – Eric Hibbison
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (VA)
1992 – No Award Given
1991 – Donna Reiss
Tidewater Community College (VA)
1990 – Ann Laster
Hinds Community College (MS)
1989 – Joyce Hancock
Jefferson Community College (KY)
1988 – Kevin Morris
Greenville Technical College (SC)
1987 – Sylvia Holladay
St. Petersburg Junior College (FL)
1986 – Jean Bolen Bridges
East Georgia College (GA)
1985 – Nell Ann Pickett
Hinds Community College (MS)
1984 – Blair Spencer Ray
Polk Community College (FL)
1983 – No Award Given
1982 – Gail Morrison
Midlands Technical College (SC)
1981 – Ray Shepherd
Hinds Community College (MS)