The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Nursing and the UAMS Division of Institutional Advancement recently announced that a new scholarship is being created to honor Patricia Cowan, who retired in late August after serving for nearly 10 years as dean of the college.
Donors Nick and Helen Lang provided $25,000 to establish the Patricia A. Cowan, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Endowed Scholarship in Nursing Leadership, and UAMS has since received contributions from several others. The Windgate Foundation plans to match up to $150,000 in gifts made toward the scholarship by August 2026.
Cowan’s tenure at UAMS capped a 44-year career as a nurse, educator, researcher and leader. She was a vocal advocate for scholarship assistance, recalling her own financial struggles when she was an undergraduate nursing student. She often noted that such challenges serve as a barrier that prevents some qualified applicants from pursuing a nursing degree.
Under Cowan’s leadership, the College of Nursing raised about $6.5 million to fund student scholarships. At a 2024 reception for scholarship recipients and donors, she said her goal was for every nursing student to receive financial support during their time at UAMS.
The College of Nursing awarded 287 scholarships to students during the 2024-25 academic year, whether through grant funding or through donor assistance. The total amount awarded was $522,550.
Those who are interested in contributing to the scholarship in Cowan’s honor can contact Daniel Frazier, director for development in the Division of Institutional Advancement, at 870-692-5435 or dfrazier@uams.edu.