November 15, 2004

Elkhart native Cowley's November Student of Month

Andrea Iman is one of the most organized students on Cowley College’s Arkansas City campus.

Sure, she isn’t the only student who carries a planner around everywhere she goes. Lots of students do that.

Iman’s day-to-day schedule is planned out almost to the minute, but she also knows where she’s going and what she wants to do after she graduates from Cowley next spring.

Iman, an Elkhart native and the daughter of Douglas and Barbara Iman, recently was named Cowley’s November Student of the Month. The award is icing on the cake for Iman, who has enjoyed her time at Cowley.

“I think it’s really cool, and I’m very honored,” said Iman, who has four brothers, Richard 26, Roben 22, Sean 22, and Seph 10. “I remember seeing (September 2003 Student of the Month) Sarah Pritchard’s picture last year and thought I want to be like her. It’s something you always want but don’t think you’ll ever get.”

Iman may be hours from home, but she has made Cowley her home away from home. Taking her classroom work seriously and getting involved on campus has helped her become a visible student.

The sophomore business administration major plans to transfer to the University of Kansas and major in public relations, is very busy. She is vice president of Cowley’s Student Government Association, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the Journalism Club, was on the National Dean’s List, and has been on the President’s Honor Roll with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. She also is a Student Ambassador, is advertising manager for the Cowley Press student newspaper, is a member of Phi Beta Lambda, participates in intramural athletics, and is a student assistant in the college’s Public Relations office. She was a member of the Lady Tiger volleyball team this fall, and played on the softball team as a freshman. Last month, she was one of five finalists for Queen Alalah LXXIII.

Iman said a Student of the Month was a person who possessed many quality attributes.

“It’s definitely someone with leadership skills and someone who is always attentive in the classroom and who is responsible,” Iman said. “And of course, it’s someone who represents Cowley well. They not only get good grades, but they’re involved on campus.”

Iman fits the description very well.

“I try hard,” she said. “I’d like to think that I have most of those qualities. I’m definitely involved and have always been told that I have leadership skills. Whether I knew it or not, people look up to me.”

Iman’s involvement is nothing new.

“When I was really young, I always wanted to do everything, but my parents didn’t have enough time or money to do it all,” she said. “My leadership skills came out in high school because I was intent on winning and wanted the team to excel, regardless of the sport.”

Iman, the granddaughter of Oliver and Virginia Nuzum of Osborne and Raymond King of Stockton, placed second in the Newswriting category at the Best of the Midwest college newspaper convention presented by the Associated Collegiate Press last spring. She’s pleased she chose Cowley.

“When I came here, it felt right,” Iman said. “It was one of those feelings, you just kind of know. I tried to doubt it, but I knew.”

As vice president of SGA, Iman has been involved in initiating change at the college. Last spring, students successfully got the hours of the cafeteria changed to better suit students.

“It’s been interesting to work with Floyd (Abang) as president,” Iman said.

Iman said SGA’s big projects coming up were attending a national leadership conference in Florida and Homecoming, which will be next semester. Being selected Student of the Month was humbling, she said.

“I’m so happy to be here anyway, this just makes it even more memorable,” Iman said. “People do respect me and do notice my achievements. Just being nominated (by Humanities Department Chair Dejon Ewing) was great. Her nomination letter about brought me to tears. It’s nice to know someone thinks that highly of me.”