The Third Warden
Ronald Cowan

Ronald William Trafford Cowan was the third Warden of Trinity College, holding the position from 1946 until his death in 1964.  

Cowan attended St Mark’s College while at the University of Adelaide, graduating with first class honours in history and political science. He was awarded the South Australia Rhodes Scholarship in 1936, completing his studies at Oxford in 1938 and returning to St Mark’s as a tutor in 1939.  

Cowan’s time at St Mark’s was short-lived as he enlisted in the army and was subsequently deployed to the Middle East, then the Kokoda Trail and finally he was seconded to Canada as chief instructor of the Intelligence Training Wing of the Royal Canadian Military College.  

At the end of the war, Cowan found his way back to Melbourne and beat out 22 candidates for the position of Warden at Trinity College.  

At only 32 years old, Cowan had lofty shoes to fill – his predecessor was the popular Sir John Behan. And, from the outset, it appeared he and Behan had very little in common. In his first meeting with students, many of whom were older and held a more senior military rank than him, Cowan stated:

Despite this terse first impression, Cowan was known for listening to the advice of those around him, which, combined with inheriting a substantially renovated and equipped College, led to his success.  

Success breeds success and the Trinity College waiting list grew, solidifying its position as an institution of the highest academic order.

Cowan’s legacy is College expansion, most notably the construction of the residential Memorial Building (Jeopardy) and a new Warden’s Lodge; expansion of the Behan building, Dining Hall and Junior Common Room; the rebuilding of the Chapel organ; and reequipping of the kitchen.  

Perhaps his greatest achievement was raising significant funds through alumni donations and securing government funding to finance another residential space – the Cowan building. This increased Trinity’s residential capacity from 106 to 180.  

Cowan was also sought after for a range of extra-collegiate activities within the University community. He was on the councils of Melbourne and Monash universities, on the committee for International House and was secretary of the Victorian Rhodes’ Scholars. 

Both of Cowan’s sons attended Trinity College and both of his daughters attended Janet Clarke Hall. His son Bill Cowan was Senior Student in 1966 and, today, the Alum of the Year Award is named in Bill’s honour for his contribution to College life.  

Cowan was diagnosed with a serious medical condition in 1964, dying that same year while still Warden of the College.  

His achievements are immense and his mark can be seen as you wander through the College grounds today.