Ahearn Fund
Josh McCowan
- Title:
- Senior Associate AD of Development
- Phone:
- (785) 532-7881
Josh McCowan was named Senior Associate Athletics Director of Development in 2017 and is in his sixth year leading the Ahearn Fund and as a member of Gene Taylor’s senior staff. McCowan, who began working in the Ahearn Fund in 2013, previously served as the Senior Director of Development overseeing the Ahearn Fund daily operations and Major Giving programs.
Under the guidance of Taylor, McCowan is responsible for all development and fundraising operations for the department of athletics, including campaign oversight, major giving, annual fund, premium seating, endowment and planned giving, donor stewardship, event hospitality and coordination with the Alumni Association, KSU Foundation, and University efforts while serving as sport administrator for rowing. McCowan represents Kansas State on the City of Manhattan Airport Advisory Board and previously on the KSU Golf Course Research and Management Foundation Board of Directors.
During his time with Kansas State, the Ahearn Fund has set unprecedented records for total and annual giving, including a record $58.9 Million in total giving in 2021-22 and a record $20.4 Million in annual giving. McCowan and his staff have eclipsed the $40 Million in cash received mark two out of the three times in K-State history, once in FY19 and most recently in FY22.
Most recently, McCowan organized and led the successful announcement of the “Building Champions” $126.5 Million Capital Campaign with over $100 Million raised with the south endzone of Bill Snyder Family Stadium completed in July 2021. Other projects within the initiative include the Shamrock Practice Facility, Morris Family Olympic Training Center and Morgan Family Volleyball Arena, all of which have broken ground and expected to completed by July 2023. This comes after finishing a successful $25 Million capital campaign for the new Buser Family Park soccer complex and Tointon Family Stadium baseball upgrades.
McCowan has steered the Ahearn Fund past its desired goal of $340 Million to over $393 Million towards the University’s Innovation and Inspiration campaign, a $1.4 Billion university-wide effort that began in 2010 and finished June 30, 2020. The $340 million goal, and $393 Million raised was the largest among all University units and entities contributing to the campaign.
Prior to his time in Manhattan, McCowan worked at the University of Colorado with its development and fundraising Buff Club team. He is two-time Kansas State graduate, obtaining his Bachelor's of Science in Education in 2009 and his Master's of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership in 2011. He was also a graduate assistant with the Men’s Basketball team that reached the 2010 NCAA Elite Eight.
McCowan currently resides in Manhattan with his wife, Ashley, son, Kacen, and daughter, Kinsley.
Under the guidance of Taylor, McCowan is responsible for all development and fundraising operations for the department of athletics, including campaign oversight, major giving, annual fund, premium seating, endowment and planned giving, donor stewardship, event hospitality and coordination with the Alumni Association, KSU Foundation, and University efforts while serving as sport administrator for rowing. McCowan represents Kansas State on the City of Manhattan Airport Advisory Board and previously on the KSU Golf Course Research and Management Foundation Board of Directors.
During his time with Kansas State, the Ahearn Fund has set unprecedented records for total and annual giving, including a record $58.9 Million in total giving in 2021-22 and a record $20.4 Million in annual giving. McCowan and his staff have eclipsed the $40 Million in cash received mark two out of the three times in K-State history, once in FY19 and most recently in FY22.
Most recently, McCowan organized and led the successful announcement of the “Building Champions” $126.5 Million Capital Campaign with over $100 Million raised with the south endzone of Bill Snyder Family Stadium completed in July 2021. Other projects within the initiative include the Shamrock Practice Facility, Morris Family Olympic Training Center and Morgan Family Volleyball Arena, all of which have broken ground and expected to completed by July 2023. This comes after finishing a successful $25 Million capital campaign for the new Buser Family Park soccer complex and Tointon Family Stadium baseball upgrades.
McCowan has steered the Ahearn Fund past its desired goal of $340 Million to over $393 Million towards the University’s Innovation and Inspiration campaign, a $1.4 Billion university-wide effort that began in 2010 and finished June 30, 2020. The $340 million goal, and $393 Million raised was the largest among all University units and entities contributing to the campaign.
Prior to his time in Manhattan, McCowan worked at the University of Colorado with its development and fundraising Buff Club team. He is two-time Kansas State graduate, obtaining his Bachelor's of Science in Education in 2009 and his Master's of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership in 2011. He was also a graduate assistant with the Men’s Basketball team that reached the 2010 NCAA Elite Eight.
McCowan currently resides in Manhattan with his wife, Ashley, son, Kacen, and daughter, Kinsley.
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