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Dr Janna Lee Cowen of River Falls, Wisconsin, was born on October 28, 1942, in Kearney, Nebraska and passed on August 30, 2026, in River Falls. Janna is preceded in death by her son, Saun. She is survived by granddaughters Emma and Kasie Cowen.
Dr. Cowen received her Ph.D. in economics from the University of Nebraska and her first job was to be a professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin – River Falls. Sher taught at UWRF 1979 – 2005. Dr. Cowen was an excellent teacher and she received many teaching awards. Among the awards she received are the following. In 1987, UWRF students selected her for the Distinguished Teacher of the Year award. This is the highest award for teaching given at The University of Wisconsin-River Falls. In 1988, students selected her to receive the College of Arts & Sciences Excellence in Teaching in the Social Sciences Award. In 2003, Dr Cowen was presented with the prestigious Board of Regents Award for Teaching Excellence. This award was presented at a meeting of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.
Away from the University, Janna trained and showed her dogs, Australian Shepherds. The most famous and winner of many contests was a dog named Lord John Mayhnard Keynes. An appropriate name for an economist. Janna had sheep and ducks for her dogs to learn herding and a beloved horse, King.
Dr. Cowen was loved by her students and respected by her colleagues. She will be missed.
Memorial gifts may be made to The UWRF Foundation for the Economics Founders Scholarship. This will benefit the students she loved.
8 Comments
I so enjoyed Dr. Cowen for her amazing lectures and insight into economics…as a Com Dis student, Econ had not been of much interest to me, but Jan brought into focus for me and helped me understand why certain economies were more successful than others. Beyond that, I had the opportunity to see her within the community RF and was always astonished that even after so many years had past, she remembered my name and we always enjoyed a quick catch up of each other’s lives. She was a mastery educator, an excellent trainer and a thoughtful person who genuinely was interested in others. She will be missed by all who knew her and loved her. Rest well my friend 🙏🏼
Dr. Cowen was an excellent teacher. She was very supportive when I majored in Economics at UWRF. She also encouraged me to follow my passion, even when this meant shifting away from Econ to more artistic pursuits. I will certainly miss you, Janna.
My sympathy to her family. Dr. Cowen was one of my favorite Econ instructors. She gave thought provoking lectures and went well above the standard to help students understand.
Sorry to read that Janna passed away. For many years Janna worked with my Mom Donna on the 3rd floor in Fine Arts. They shared many laughs together.
Rest easy Janna, I’m sure all your great dogs were waiting for you.
Janna was an excellent mentor when I joined UWRF and we worked together for years in North Hall and South Hall. Janna cared deeply about her students and her passion was contagious. She always lit up when talking about her dogs and their extensive agility/skill training. I imagine she is running with all of them now. Dr. Cowen’s likeness can be found on the Teacher of the Year commemoration wall in the Wyman Education Building. May you Rest in Peace. 🕯️🙏
I was a double Accounting and Economics major graduating the year that Janna won the Distinguished Teacher of the Year award, 1987. I had the double pleasure of having her both as a professor and when working in the Econ Department helping her grade exams and converting them onto the computers that were just becoming available. She told me that her initial interest was also in accounting but was told that “girls just don’t do that” so focused on Economics instead. As a result she encouraged me fully. After graduation I stayed in touch with her and when I moved back to Wisconsin ended up less than 10 miles from her so stopped in regularly. I continued to visit her after she moved to River Falls.
Janna I enjoyed our visits and benefited greatly from your advice, counsel and friendship. You were an amazing woman, maybe just a bit before your time 😉 thanks for paving the way.
Janna was a great teacher, colleague, and friend. Her lectures to students were always concise and correct. That was central to Janna being so great in the classroom. Her perspective on economics (following Joan Robinson) was skeptical–which was absolutely the right perspective. Janna did not draw attention to herself. She just always did a good job which was indicated by the many accolades she received and the respect from her students. We will miss Janna!
I met Jana at dog training. She was the best. Missed seeing her. Huge loss.
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