Spring Semester Sets Another Record

Cowley experienced a 7-percent increase in enrollment for the spring 2001 semester, according to figures released after the 20th day of classes by Registrar Forest Smith. Full-time equivalency, which means students taking a minimum of 12 credit hours, was at 2,236.35. That compared to 2,095.11 in spring 2000. The total number of students taking classes at Cowley this spring also increased, from 3,585 last year to 3,772 this spring, an increase of 5 percent.

The largest growth occurred at Cowley’s Southside Education Center in Wichita, which saw an increase of 29 percent from last spring to this spring. Southside’s FTE is at 645.5 this spring. There were 1,124 Cowley County residents enrolled at Cowley this spring from the following communities: Arkansas City 648, Winfield 368, Udall 45, Burden 23, Dexter 18, Atlanta 5, Maple City 4, Rock 4, Cedar Vale 3, Oxford 3, Geuda Springs 2, and Cambridge 1.

Students enrolled this spring represented forty-eight counties in Kansas and 18 states. Thirty-six students from 15 foreign countries also are enrolled at the college. Enrollment for the 2001 summer session is slightly ahead of last year’s, while early figures on the fall 2001 semester indicate that the college is about where it was last year at this time.

Back-to-back! Veteran Cowley AEC team wins state championship
Cowley’s Academic Excellence Challenge team did it again! The team of Lori Robinson, Sean Sanborn, Nick Endicott, and Luke Lockwood captured its second consecutive AEC State Championship April 28 with a 175-135 victory over Cloud County in the finals. The semifinals and finals were held in the Brown Center for Arts, Sciences and Technology on Cowley’s main campus. The defending AEC champs automatically host the following year’s event. Chris Mayer, Social Science Department instructor, is the team’s coach. He said members of this year’s team (all but one participated last year) complimented each other. “This was a phenomenal year,” Mayer said. “The team used its experience in every match. They were fun to watch.”

Blake Stites captures 2001 Mr. Cinderfella title
The 13th annual Mr. Cinderfella contest, hosted by Act One, was as memorable as the first 12 when 16 Cowley men competed April 26 in the Robert Brown Theatre inside the Brown Center. Blake Stites of Prescott captured the coveted title. Amy Shaw of Derby, Miss Kansas 2000, served as emcee for the event. The students competed in beach or leisurewear, talent, and eveningwear.

Harper native awarded McAtee Scholarship
Mason Powell, a freshman theatre major from Harper, was awarded a $1,000 Patrick J. McAtee Scholarship at Cowley. Powell, a graduate of South Barber High School in Kiowa, was awarded the scholarship on April 19 during Cowley’s annual Celebration of Excellence banquet. He will receive $500 for the fall 2001 semester and another $500 for the spring 2002 term. Powell played the role of Charlie Davenport in the fall 2000 musical “Annie Get Your Gun,” then secured the role of Lenny Ganz in the spring play “Rumors.” “Mason has definitely earned this scholarship,” said Dejon Ewing, Humanities Department chair and speech and drama instructor. “He did a wonderful job his first year.” The scholarship was established in 1995 and gives priority to students majoring in theatre, with secondary consideration going to education majors.

Vocal, instrumental groups go on annual spring tour
Two of the most visible programs at the college became even more visible with their annual spring tour. The CC Singers, a show choir, and the Jazz Band, set off on a three-day tour of Kansas high schools May 2-4. The groups performed at Wellington High School, Wichita Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School, and were invited to perform at the Old Town Farm & Art Market Plaza in Wichita on May 2. On May 3, the groups traveled to Derby High School, Hesston High School, and Lindsborg Smoky Valley High School for performances. The groups wrapped up their tour on May 4 with a performance at Onaga High School. Not only does the spring tour give students the chance to perform at several venues, it also gives Cowley’s music department exposure. “We had a great tour this year. It was fantastic. This is kind of a crazy time for us (vocal and instrumental programs) because we have a spring concert, the spring tour, and commencement,” said Connie Wedel, director of vocal music at Cowley. “But the tour is what we all look forward to every year. It’s a great way to get the programs some publicity and show high school students what we’re all about.” Gary Gackstatter is director of Cowley’s instrumental music program. Steve Butler, music instructor at the college, accompanied the groups on tour.

Article written Summer 2001