Campus and Colleagues Mourn Passing of Beloved Administrator

Doris Hughes Cowden, 82, former assistant to the dean of the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and known to many as a matriarch of the college, passed away on Aug. 31 with family beside her.

Cowden served under former Fulbright College deans Randall B. Woods, Bernard “Bernie” Madison and John C. Guilds Jr. 

“Everybody knew Doris; she was the go to person. You poured your heart and soul out to her, because she just cared and everyone seemed to relate to her,” said Lisa Summerford, assistant dean for student development, who knew Cowden for more than 30 years. “She loved her kids and was very proud of them. She always had your back, and you never saw her flustered about anything, ever. I loved her laugh, it was a deep laugh that made you laugh, too.”

Cowden was born in Ashdown, Arkansas, on November 30, 1935, to Charles Hughes and Arla Helms Hughes. She spent her formative years in Gillham, where her mother and father operated a small grocery store. In 1949, the family moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

Cowden graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1953. She completed three years at the University of Arkansas before being swept away by a young Air Force lieutenant, David Cowden, for a life of family, travel and adventure.

Cowden returned to Fayetteville and began her second career in administration in 1979, which culminated in becoming administrative assistant to the dean of Fulbright College at the university she had once attended.

“She was an extraordinary person, much beloved by her colleagues and those she served in Fulbright College, and a legend in the Dean’s Office,” said Dawn Fisher, current assistant to the dean of Fulbright College. “She loved her work and Fulbright College, and in addition to single-handedly managing the flow of work in the dean’s office, she encouraged, supported and inspired many personally.”

Cowden’s daughter, Gretchen Ewen, agreed and added, “She gave her advice, assistance and support to all who came to her. Her only desire was to make Fulbright College the best it could be.”

Her son, Patrick “Pat” McGee Cowden, said Doris even had a hand in helping him meet his future wife, Maria, who was one of her coworkers.

“She loved telling that story and taking credit for introducing us,” he said. “She also really loved the college and her time there. It was inarguably one of the best times of her life.”

Colleagues remember Doris Cowden fondly, describing her kindness and how much fun she was to work with.

“She was a straight shooter, and I really liked Doris and working with her so much,” said Virginia Daily, coordinator of academic services for Fulbright College. “She was also like a mother hen, taking care of her people. We’ll miss her so much.”

Outside of the university, Cowden was also a master gardener with a passion and love for all growing things. She created and tended a beautiful garden for her family, assisted in judging potted plants at the Washington County Fair, and answered many inquiries about gardening.

“She loved black coffee, raising orchids, hosting large dinners for family and friends, and settling down with a good book,” Ewen said. “She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend.”

Doris Hughes Cowden is survived by her husband of 61 years, Lt. Col. David Allen Cowden; children Gretchen Ewen (Cowden) and husband professor Charles Ewen; Melissa Drake Johnson (Cowden); David Allen Cowden Jr. and wife Angie; Patrick McGee Cowden and wife Maria; Julie Starbird (Cowden) and husband Neal; grandchildren Gretchen Berry, Kathryn and Madeline Ewen; Emily Elaine Johnson; Fletcher and Spencer Cowden; and Jacob and Sarah Cowden; great-grandchild, Ethan Scallorn; sister-in-laws Julia Hughes Jones and Linda Beene Ballard; and adoptions of the heart Amber Kandur and Dan Wallace. Lastly, Doris’s dearest friends: Carol O’Conner, and Lynn Fisher. Doris was predeceased by her parents, professor Charles Hughes and Arla Helms Hughes Wheeler, and brother, Charles “Charlie” Hughes.

Remembrances may be made in her name to Fulbright College or the Willard Walker Hospice Home Foundation.

Please note: This story originally appeared in the University of Arkansas’ Newswire publication. Please visit news.uark.edu for more stories like this.