burned. McCowan was only 17 years old at the time of the accident and had to go through an extended period of treatment, including multiple surgeries. In spite of the accident, he did not let the experience deter him. "He weathered that like a sailor," Bob Bell, former executive of Ashland Oil and long-time friend, said concerning his resolve. "He got a grip on himself. It was the first indication I had of his courage and spirit and his general positive, upbeat outlook on life ... It was a courageous thing for him to go through. He just didn't let it stop him." McCowan married Nyle Eleanor Yates, whom he met while working at Ashland, Inc. in the early 50's. They were married for 48 years until her death. They had one son and daughter, and seven grandchildren. Appointments In January 1981, Governor John Young Brown Jr. appointed him to the board of trustees of the University of Kentucky until 1989, and in June 1984 he was elected chairman of the board of trustees. He served as chairman from 1984 through 1988, having been re-appointed to the board by Governor Martha Layne Collins. The University of Kentucky awarded him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1978 and also bestowed its Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1980. As UK's board chairman, McCowan led the university's effort to hire David Roselle as president following Otis A. Singletary’s retirement. He also chaired the board through the NCAA’s investigation and probation of the UK basketball program in the late 1980s. "He was a very good leader," Roselle said."He was proud, never arrogant - strong, never a bully. He was everything good and nothing bad." Vice chairman of the University Development Council Chairman of the Fellows Executive Committee Chairman of the board of trustees of Midway College Chairman of the Kentucky Center on Public Issues Director of Cardinal Hill Hospital and the Kentucky Health Care Access Foundation Honorary director of the American Petroleum Institute Chairman of the Board of the National Petroleum Refiners Association in 1986 Trustee of Kentuckians for Better Transportation Trustee of the City of Hope Memberships Member of the Dean's Advisory Council at Gatton College of Business and Economics in the 1980s Member of the Sanders–Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky Member of the American Railroad Foundation Member of the First Bank & Trust Company of Ashland Member of