Dr. Cowie is by far Cranbrook's finest asset. I learned more in his class in one year then most of my others combined. He instilled a sense of leadership in us and did not give up on me when I was ready to quit after a week. When I ended up in the hospital, it was Dr. Cowie who was there to bring me back. I have a world of respect for this man. His wife is also a great human being. Dr. and Mrs. Cowie: Thanks for everything!

Da Cow. Was Soph. history something else or what? I remember Dr. Cowie not letting students in when they were late (they would come around to the window and contribute their questions from there!) Dr. Cowie was (and I assume still is) an ultra conservative, he was also the finest history teacher I ever had. I think of him often, both for his love of learning and for his inspiration. He instilled a love of learning and teaching in me. He also reminds me that you CAN push a political agenda and be a great teacher. By the way, Dr. Cowie, after all the praise, your political agenda is still wrong (though decidedly right)!

What I would give to be able to re-take Cowie's class today...

Only years later do I really appreciate what a great teacher Cowie was. He really challenged his students, teaching us how to be careful historians and showing us the possibilities of history as a discipline. What other high school history teacher has his students read several academic history books as a course requirement?

After Freshman year in which I spent my advising hour eating treats and socializing with the other students in my group, I switched to Dr. Cowie's advising group. You had to be prepared for this hour. Cowie demanded the best out of our group. The result? I got my stuff together and VASTLY improved my grades. There was no more fooling around. Thanks Dr. Cowie.

I still remember the political "discussions" Dr. Cowie & I had during class everyday with my ultra liberal self and his ultra conservative self. Through his class, he made me love history. I will always remember him as one of the best.

I will forever remember doc Cowie as the ultra-conservative Republican we loved to hate in the dorms. He had this aura about him in the dorms when on duty....Always reading a new book and engaging in interesting conversations in the dorm office. He looked over like a father figure over me and my brother, Hasan '02, naming us Chaudhry Major and Chaudhry Minor. While I never had a class with Dr. Cowie (I carefully avoided them because i heard how difficult they were), I still smile when I think about my days back in the dorm when he was on duty.

Robert Cowie instilled in me a love of history, and I am now a History major.