April 20, 2005

Sophomore business administration major Cowley's Student of Year

Lory Turney gets a hug from Dr. Pat McAtee, Cowley president, after being named Student of the Year Tuesday night during the annual Celebration of Excellence, the honors and awards banquet, held in the Earle N. Wright Community Room. Turney is a sophomore from Arkansas City.

Lory Turney’s sophomore year at Cowley College has been a memorable one.

In October 2004, she was crowned Queen Alalah. Monday night, she was named first runner-up in the Outstanding Student of Arkansas City Award. And on Tuesday, the business administration major was named Cowley’s Student of the Year.

“I was so surprised, and very excited,” said Turney, an Arkansas City High School graduate and the daughter of Larry and Angie Turney. “There were so many other deserving students up for it.”

Turney, the granddaughter of Edna Faulkner of Arkansas City, holds a 4.0 grade-point average. Her accolades during the 2004-2005 academic year include being named Cowley’s September 2004 Student of the Month.

“That was really a neat honor,” Turney said. “I know that it’s pretty prestigious. I was thrilled to be selected.”

Turney is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, is a Student Ambassador, is on the National Dean’s List for young scholars, and is on the Humanities Advisory Board. She plans to transfer to Washburn University to finish her bachelor’s degree, then enter law school.

Turney’s sister Marissa, 21, is a junior at Oklahoma State University, and brother Chase, 16, is a junior at ACHS.

Turney said being named Student of the Year was the culmination of an exciting year at Cowley.

“It means a lot, and it shows who you are as a person and what people think about you,” she said. Turney received a cash award and a plaque.

When Turney isn’t studying, she’s giving a campus tour as a Student Ambassador, or working at two part-time jobs off campus. She waitresses at Sirloin Stockade in Arkansas City, and she teaches gymnastics at the Arkansas City Recreation Center.

Despite her busy schedule, Turney finds plenty of time to focus on her studies.

“School’s more important to me now,” she said. “I take it more seriously. It was important in high school, but in college, you become more goal-oriented. You start thinking about a career.”

Turney is attending Cowley on a Presidential Scholarship, which is based on grades.

The former ACHS cheerleader and, when she was younger, competitive gymnast, misses cheering. She said Kristi Shaw, Cowley’s cheerleading coach, has approached her no less than eight times about joining the squad.

“I decided I really wanted to focus on my school and academics and get good grades,” Turney said. “I want to go on to a four-year school on an academic scholarship.”

Turney, who described herself as “very outgoing and easy to get along with,” likes Cowley for numerous reasons.

“I like Cowley because the teachers treat you like an adult,” she said. “Living at home, it’s cheaper for my parents. But I’d heard good things about Cowley. Growing up here, you’re kind of attached. I don’t regret it at all.

“I’ve seen a lot of kids from high school, who weren’t the best in high school, come to Cowley and do well. The classes are small, and I wanted that one-on-one instruction. My instructors know who I am, and you get to know your teachers.”

Being a Student Ambassador has been a particularly satisfying experience for Turney.

“The most rewarding is to tell people who don’t know Cowley and tell them how great it is,” she said. “I want to let them know that it’s a really neat place. It’s not like high school where you see your classmates every day. You also get to learn a lot about Cowley that you didn’t know.

“I’m really glad I came to Cowley. I wouldn’t change it if I had to. I’ve met a lot of really neat teachers and people. It’s been an awesome experience.”