January 28, 2008

Ten graduate from Cowley College MICT program

Graduation for 10 students in Cowley College’s Mobile Intensive Care Technician (paramedic) program was held January 25 in the Wright Community Room at the main campus in Arkansas City. The program that finished on December 14 completed the AAS degree requirements for these graduates. 

The following are the graduating members of the class: Cody Ball, Arkansas City; Jerry Connell, Wellington; Stephanie Davidson, Wichita; Brad Klein, Udall; Michelle Landoll, Wichita; Brian Leuci, Wichita; Danielle McNaught, Neodesha; Mallory O’Dell, Arkansas City; Aimee Rau, Wichita; and Jennifer Walker, Wellington.

The evening began when Slade Griffiths, Allied Health Department Chair, issued the welcome and discussed the education the graduates received while in Cowley’s program.  Griffiths praised all of the people involved with the program and singled out Cindy Branscum, Lead MICT Instructor, for “her dedication to the students – something that truly impacted their learning.” 

Sheree Utash, vice president of academic affairs then gave the graduation address.  She was able to give a perspective from both an administrator and parent point of view – her daughter, Mallory, graduated in this class.

Mrs. Utash and Mrs. Branscum conferred the certificates and presented the class of 2007 to the gathering of about 150 people who came to honor the graduates. Utash thanked the graduates for selecting EMS as a career and for choosing Cowley College for their education. 

“I truly believe that each one of you is an American hero,” said Utash.

During the course of their schooling, these graduates assessed over 5,000 patients and administered over 3,000 medications during the year. With this 12th graduating class, Cowley MICT graduates now treat approximately 80,000 patients each year.

The national job outlook continues to be greater than average, and the local job outlook looks promising. All graduates have found employment in the EMS field.

Cowley currently has two MICT programs in progress – one in Winfield at the Allied Health Education Center and another in partnership at Butler Community College at the Andover campus.