Bill Cowen

William Cowen, EdD, assistant professor of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Villanova University, will be inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Association Hall of Fame on May 24, 2017. PPRA is the oldest and largest independent public relations association in the country and its Hall of Fame recognizes accomplished individuals who have brought honor to the industry and to the broader community.

During his public relations career, Dr. Cowen has spearheaded award-winning campaigns and served a variety of organizations, including non-profits and academia—garnering attention on local, national and international levels. He has received The Public Relations Society of America’s DeAnn White Award for Excellence in Community Service, numerous Pepperpot Awards from the Public Relations Society of America Philadelphia chapter, the Anthony J. Fulginiti Award for PR Educator of the Year and the Frank X. Long Award for PR Practitioner of the Year. He is also a two-time winner of the International MarCom Creative Gold Award for strategic promotional campaigns.

“Since 1972, PPRA has inducted select members of our professional public relations community into its Hall of Fame,” said Cowen. “I am so honored and grateful to be welcomed into this highly esteemed family of colleagues.”

At Villanova, Dr. Cowen is the director of the Public Relations Program and the Villanova Communication Alumni Network. Dr. Cowen’s areas of expertise include public relations, crisis communication, media relations, strategic communication, personal branding, leadership, as well as marketing and advertising. His courses challenge students to think strategically, solve real-life communication scenarios and build brands for new firms.

In addition to his academic duties at Villanova, he is owner and founding president of Metrospective Communications LLC, a Philadelphia based public relations agency serving nonprofits and entrepreneurial ventures through Fortune 100 companies. Prior to founding his company, Dr. Cowen served as Manager of Corporate Communications for Oki Data Americas, Inc., Vice President of Earle Palmer Brown and Public Relations Manager for Robert Michael Communications, Inc.