April 6, 2006

Derby named April Student of the Month

Striving to reach his goals in education while staying active in college events, Alex Derby, the son of Curtis and Rebecca Derby, has been named Cowley’s April Student of the Month.

Derby, who has a sister, Amber, 16, is a member of the outstanding Cowley Tiger cheer team, which finished third at this year’s national competition. He is also a student ambassador and active in the Student Government Association. He’s on the President’s Honor Roll and in Who’s Who Among American College Students. 

The pre-engineering major has also participated in several intramural sports during his two years at Cowley.

“Alex is very deserving of the Student of the Month award,” Cowley Dean of Student Life Sue Saia said. “Alex has been an excellent example to others and has always gone the extra mile in giving tours and in other ambassador duties. He is always positive and willing to help.”

Derby was happy to receive the award.

“I had a good feeling of self accomplishment,” Derby said. “It lets me know that I have been doing alright in school, and that I should continue down the path I am on.”

At Wellington High School, Derby was a member of the President’s Honor Roll, and was named the March Student of the Month during his senior year. He was also named to the Who’s Who Among American High School Students, and was involved in cheerleading, student government, and FFA.

Derby has been cheering for four years, and got involved in cheering when his best friend, Joey Glenn, became a member of the Wellington Crusader cheer team.

“I decided to do it and it was pretty fun, so I continued to do it,” Derby said. “I learned you could get a scholarship at Cowley for it and that influenced my decision to keep cheering.”

Last fall, he coached youth cheerleading and left great impressions with the students through his positive interactions with them. He has thoroughly enjoyed cheering for the Tiger athletic programs.

“It’s been a great experience,” Derby said. “Kristi (Shaw) has always been there for me if I ever needed anything. I am close to all of the members of the cheer team and am sure I will continue to visit with them quite often.”

Coming out of high school, Derby was not sure what he wanted to do with his future. However, he has since decided to pursue an engineering degree from Wichita State University.

“I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do and thought coming to Cowley would be a good stepping stone to find out where I wanted to go,” Derby said. “Cowley has helped me figure out what I wanted to do.”

Derby is leaning toward either mechanical or aeronautical engineering.

“I have always been good at working on things and figuring stuff out,” Derby said. “I am also good with math, so I figured engineering would be a good career choice.”

Away from his activities at Cowley, Derby enjoys working on cars and likes to ride his dirt bike. He also enjoys playing sports and doing gymnastics. 

Derby is happy he made the decision to come to Cowley.

“It has been a very good and memorable two years,” Derby said. “I have had quite a bit of fun here. I love the teachers; I love the people and the environment. It is a really good college to go to.”