Biography

12/14/1946 -

COWELL, Ronald Raymond, a Representative from Allegheny County; born in Philipsburg, Centre County, Pa., December 14, 1946; graduated, Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School; B.A., political science, University of Pittsburgh; J.D., Widener University School of Law; housing administrator, University of Pittsburgh (6 years); president, Young Democratic Club of Allegheny County (1971 and 1973); Wilkins Township representative, Churchill Area Ecology Committee (1973-1974); president, Wilkinsburg Community Action Association, Incorporated (1979-1980); elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 1974; served 11 more consecutive terms; appointed, Select Committee on Three Mile Island (1979); appointed, board, Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) (1981-1998); appointed, Pennsylvania Milrite Council (1983-1988); appointed, Special Bipartisan Committee to Investigate Industrial Plant Closings (1984); appointed, House Select Committee on Long Term Care (1986-1988); appointed, Select Committee to Study the Feasibility of a Harrisburg University (1990); appointed, House Select Committee on Violence (1994); appointed, chair, Task Force on Higher Education Funding (1994); appointed, member, State Board of Education; appointed, member, Governor’s Commission for Children and Families; appointed, member, Governor’s Commission on Preparing America’s Teachers; not a candidate for reelection to the House (1998); president, Education Policy and Leadership Center (1999-present).