There is a deep family legacy in physics research here at MSU, and, today, it continues to grow, as MSU announces a $10 million gift from alum Randolph “Randy” Cowen and his spouse Phyllis Green.
Cowen is an entrepreneur and longtime supporter of MSU. He received his bachelor’s degree in history, with a minor in mathematics, from MSU in 1974. During his 26-year career at Goldman Sachs, he served as chief information officer from 2001–2007 and co-chief administrative officer from 2007–2008.
The gift, which is the largest one-time ever from an individual to the College of Natural Science, will create an endowed chair position in experimental physics and fund two highly specialized lab spaces in the new Leinweber Center for Engineering and Digital Innovation.
“What makes Randy Cowen’s philanthropy so remarkable is that he invests not only in the scientific discovery, but also in the people who make discovery possible,” said Eric L. Hegg, dean of the College of Natural Science at Michigan State University.
“Randy’s generosity has already left a lasting mark on Michigan State through the faculty, students and programs he has helped advance. This latest gift will further strengthen our ability to attract exceptional talent, pursue groundbreaking discoveries and build MSU’s tradition of scientific excellence for generations to come.”
Long before Cowen became an MSU student, he was a young kid raised on and around campus, with an MSU alumnus and faculty member father: Jerry Cowen, who received his doctorate in physics in 1954. Dr. Cowen was a pioneer for physics research in the College of Natural Science for more than four decades and left behind a great legacy of mentorship for future leaders in his field.
“My fundamental drive is to honor my father by continuing to support the kind of primary research in physics that he was known for,” Randy Cowen said of his long history of giving at Michigan State. “He always understood the importance of great researchers and teachers in making the physics department a special place. People always came first in his mind. But they needed the right spaces and support to make real breakthroughs.”
The Cowen Endowed Chair positions, which Randy began funding 25 years ago, have helped attract an ever-evolving roster of young, preeminent experts in experimental and quantum physics to MSU.
Here, these researchers have the resources to build their labs from the ground up; assemble teams and fund positions for postdocs, graduate students and undergrads; and take new, big ideas from mere concepts to groundbreaking experiments with real results.
Now, an additional endowed chair position will expand their ranks, and they’ll have two brand-new, technologically advanced lab spaces in the Leinweber Center to conduct their work. These highly specialized Spec 3 laboratories will be constructed and outfitted with direct input from the current Cowen faculty members to support more advanced experimentation in their fields.
“The Cowen family’s legacy at Michigan State is a powerful reminder that love for a place, and belief in what it can make possible, can be carried forward from one generation to the next in deeply meaningful ways,” said Kim Tobin, vice president for University Advancement. “Dr. Jerry Cowen helped build a foundation of excellence in physics research that continues to inspire discovery today. Through Randy and Phyllis’ generosity, that legacy endures and creates opportunities for exceptional researchers, students and ideas to shape the future right here at Michigan State.”
For Randy and Phyllis, there is great joy and satisfaction in watching this impact unfold: “We love to see the team that has been built around the Cowen chairs — both faculty and the graduate students and postdocs in the labs. You can see and feel it in action when you visit the labs and talk with the teams . . . I think my father would be thrilled.”
Launched in 2024, the $4 billion Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign is MSU’s bold effort to advance student success, accelerate research and innovation, and strengthen the university’s impact across Michigan and beyond. To date, and thanks to the support of donors like Randy Cowen and Phyllis Green, the campaign has raised more than $1.85 billion.
Learn more about Uncommon Will, Far Better World and how to support the campaign’s priorities and help shape MSU’s future.