April 10, 2008

Swope honored as April Student of the Month

First she was nominated for Queen Alalah, then she was named Cowley College’s Homecoming Queen, now Elisha Swope can add being selected the April Student of the Month to her list of accomplishments.

At Cowley, Swope is involved in Choir, CC Singers, Mu Alpha Theta, is a Student Ambassador and the Vice President of Service for Phi Theta Kappa. She also works as a teller at Union State Bank in Arkansas City.

She recently represented Cowley in Topeka as a member of the All-Kansas Academic Team. However, she still finds time to balance her studies with the other activities she is involved in.

“It is a great honor to be recognized for your academic work,” Swope said.

Swope, a 2006 graduate of Arkansas City High School, is the daughter of Russell Swope and Teressa Hatfield. Step-parents are, Jan Hatfield and Rhonda Swope.

The sophomore finance major at Cowley has two brothers, Erik 21, and Brigg 17, and two sisters, Taylor Hatfield 15, and Bevin 14. Grandparents are, Jim and Pat Gardner of Arkansas City, and Donna and Frank Swope of Ponca City, Oklahoma.

She has thoroughly enjoyed her time at Cowley.

“It has exceeded my expectations tremendously,” Swope said. “I had no idea what I was walking into. I came just to take classes, but ended up in a lot of different activities.”

Being a music major her first three semesters at Cowley, Swope will miss working with music instructors Steve Butler and Connie Donatelli. She will also miss working with Phi Theta Kappa advisor Melinda Neal.

“They have been great mentors and advisors to me,” Swope said.

Swope recently switched her major to finance and would like to one day be a financial advisor for a major business.

“I love to help people with their finances while working at the bank,” Swope said. “I have always loved math and working with numbers.”

Swope believes she has grown a lot over the past year.

“This year has been great, I have been able to branch out and meet a lot of new people,” Swope said. “It has also opened a lot of doors for opportunity. Cowley has been wonderful.”

Swope plans to transfer to Wichita State University after graduating from Cowley. She has already submitted an application to be a student ambassador at the school.

“I hope to get as involved there as I was here,” Swope said.