The Nichols Dining Room serves as a private dining area within Cowan. It was named for Katherine Knight Cameron Nichols, the former Centre College professor noted for preservation work on campus and in Boyle County. Nichols, an art professor at Centre for 40 years, served as landscape director for the college and its internal architectural consultant during campus renovation and preservation efforts. Many of the mature trees and plantings on campus can be attributed to Nichols. A major philosophy of Nichols was that new buildings on campus can still fit in with historical structures. She also served as dean of women at Centre as well as the college's interior decorator.
Nichols passed away July 12, 2002 but is still remembered by the college for her many contributions to the college and the community.