Noting his surprise at the honour, Dr. Cowan expressed his deep appreciation for the peer-nominated award. “For me, one of the highest honours in the academy is to be recognized by one’s peers. In that sense, though, it’s also quite humbling, when there are so many extraordinary people at all places in the University of Waterloo.”
Dr. Cowan has been a professor of Religious Studies and Social Development Studies at Renison for over a decade. His research work has included focus on religion and film, religion and the internet and, most recently, religion and popular culture. Dr. Cowan’s two latest books, America’s Dark Theologian, (published in November 2018) explores the religious themes and theological questions raised in the work of Stephen King, while Magic, Monsters, and Make-Believe Heroes (published in March 2019) considers how myth and religion shape fantasy culture.
The Arts Awards were established in 2012 by Doug Peers, Dean of Arts at the University of Waterloo. Awards are presented at the annual Celebration of Arts Reception each Spring.