Mickey Cowan, executive director of the East Central University Foundation Inc., has announced he will resign as the 
foundation's CEO because of health reasons. Cowan, a well-known figure in ECU and Ada circles, said he would return to teaching in the classroom where time constraints are less demanding.
Cowan has served as the foundation's executive director since June 2008, working with the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees to continue the long-standing tradition of providing scholarships to deserving young people in the state who wish to attend ECU.
"I love working with young people and this was my ideal job and one I have loved," Cowan said. "Unfortunately, my health just keeps me from giving this job all I want to be able to give to it, and consequently, I feel it necessary to step down and return to the classroom where I can continue to give to students, which is my first love, after God and my family."
Cowan is a long-time member of the ECU Foundation and will continue to be a source of help, advice and wisdom as the foundation seeks to continue its mission to East Central University, trustees said.
Angela Ables, chairman of the foundation, said anyone interested in applying for the position should submit resumes to the foundation office. The Executive Committee will review applications during May and hopes to name a new executive director by the time a new ECU president is announced.
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