Resident of Missoula, Montana, William O. Cogswell attended the State University of Montana at Missoula from 1919 to 1924. He received a B.A. in Journalism in 1923 and took some graduate classes in 1924. Cogswell was a member of Alpha Delta Alpha, Sigma Delta Chi, Silent Sentinel, University Orchestra and Band, Bear Paw, and Press Club, and he was editor of the university yearbook, the Sentinel, and the university student paper, the Kaimin for his senior year.
From the guide to the William O. Cogswell Scrapbook, 1919-1922, (University of Montana--Missoula Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library Archives and Special Collections)