Cowley College Notable Alumni
Cowley College, a public community college located in Arkansas City, Kansas, has a rich history and a tradition of fostering talent. Operating locations in Wellington, Winfield, Mulvane, and Wichita, alongside an online presence and on-site courses at nine area high schools, Cowley College has impacted countless lives. This article explores the college's history, its development, and highlights some of its notable alumni.
History and Development
Cowley College first opened its doors on September 11, 1922, as Arkansas City Junior College (ACJC). Initially, it operated under the guidance of the local school district, mirroring the structure of many junior colleges of that era. During the mid-1960s, as Kansas sought to expand its junior colleges and vocational schools, ACJC underwent a series of name changes to reflect this growth.
In 1967, a significant shift occurred when citizens of Cowley County elected a six-member board of trustees for Cowley County Community College (CCCC). On July 1, 1967, the board assumed control of college operations and appointed Paul Johnson, previously the dean, as the college's first president. The elected board continues to govern the college, with members serving four-year terms.
Following Johnson's death in 1968, William S. Scott served as interim president until Gwendel A. "Gwen" Nelson's appointment on July 1, 1968. Nelson spearheaded a period of expansion and upgrades. Upon his arrival, the college lacked property ownership, renting land from the school district and offering limited programs. Nelson's tenure, lasting until 1987, saw successful land negotiations with the school board, granting the college ownership of its main campus and the adjacent old high school.
Further expansion occurred in 2017 when Sumner County approved a half-cent sales tax increase to fund a second Cowley College campus in Wellington, named Sumner County Campus of Cowley College, with classes planned to begin in the fall of 2018.
Read also: Cowley: Academics and Campus Life
In February 2023, the Cowley College Board of Trustees voted to terminate President Randy Smith's contract.
Campus and Facilities
Cowley College's main campus is located in Arkansas City, Kansas, with additional locations in Winfield, Mulvane, Wellington, and Wichita. Besides physical locations, the college provides online courses and offers on-site courses at nine area high schools.
The college's facilities have grown significantly over the years:
1936: The gymnasium, known as W.S. Scott Auditorium, was built.
1950s: Groundbreaking began on Galle-Johnson Hall, named after Kurt R. Galle and Dr. Paul Johnson.
Read also: Cowley County College: Education & Community
1972: The Renn Memorial Library was constructed.
1973: A bond issue was passed to build the Harold B. Building and a central heating plant.
1976: The W.H. Hargrove Athletic Center was built.
1980s: The first dorm, now known as the D. Robert Storbeck Dorm, was built.
1992: Cowley opened its first Wellness Center.
Read also: Comprehensive Ranking: Women's College Basketball
1994: The William (Bill) R. Docking Dorm was opened.
2000: The Sid Regnier Bookstore was added to the Ark City campus.
2001: The Oscar Kimmell Dorm and the Patrick J. McAtee Dining Center were opened.
2008: The Central Avenue Dormitory was built.
2011: The Lodge, another new dorm, was added.
The Brown Center, consisting of the Robert Brown Theatre, Earle N. Wright Art Gallery, and Roger A. Davis Plaza, is named after Robert A. Brown and Roger A. Davis. A $350,000 gift from the Daisy E. and Paul H. Webb Foundation made the Webb-Brown Academic Center a reality.
Athletics
The Cowley County Community College baseball program started in 1922. Cowley College is one of the few junior colleges with its own nationwide high-definition sports television network, The Cowley Sports Network, which debuted on August 30, 2011, through a partnership with Legleiter Video Productions and NJCAATV.
Notable Alumni
Identifying notable alumni is crucial to understanding an institution's impact. While a comprehensive list requires ongoing research and updates, here are some examples of individuals who attended Cowley College and achieved recognition in their respective fields:
Junior Spivey: Was the first former Tiger to make it to the Major League level. Six former Cowley County Community College ballplayers made it to the majors.
Dr. Harold McMurry: Was named an All-Big Eight performer in 1968 and received numerous other awards.
Travis Rosenthal: Was named to the National League All-Star team.
tags: #Cowley #College #notable #alumni #list
