September 13, 2007

Crain named Cowley's September Student of the Month

Although just graduating from Ark City Christian Academy in May, Courtney Crain had been taking classes at Cowley College for the past two years.

The ambitious, hard working student, was recently recognized for her stellar work on campus and in the classroom as she was named the college’s September Student of the Month.

Crain, the daughter of Kent and Pam Crain, is a sophomore communications major. She has two younger brothers that attend Ark City Christian Academy. Christopher is a freshman and Carson is in sixth grade. Grandparents are, Elmo and Barbara Crain of Arkansas City, and Bob and Pat Brown of Ark City.

A true leader on campus, Crain is the Assistant Editor of the Cowley Press, the President for Tyger Tawk, the Vice President of Fellowship in Phi Theta Kappa and a Student Ambassador. She is also involved in Campus Christian Fellowship, Journalism club, Math and Science club and the Act One fall musical. She also serves as a work study for the Humanities Department and is a member of the Concert Choir.

“My mom from the time I was born has kept me going, going, going all the time, she says it keeps us out of trouble,” Crain said. “I get tired sometimes, but I do not like sitting around.”

She has also participated in Relay for Life and Bowl for Kid’s Sake. Off campus, she is a co-teacher for first grade Sunday school and sings in the youth praise band at her church.

She was surprised to learn she was the September Student of the Month.

“I was shocked, I did not think it was anything I would be nominated for,” Crain said. “I am very honored. I guess it shows people appreciate what you do.”

She attended Ark City Christian Academy from kindergarten through graduation. Crain’s graduating class had seven kids in it.

“I loved it, all my teachers were like my family,” Crain said.

She began taking classes at Cowley as a junior in high school.

“It made the transition from high school to college really easy,” Crain said.

Her time at Cowley has been enjoyable and is something she is not looking forward to coming to an end.

“I love Cowley, I don’t like having to think about leaving,”  Crain said. “The teachers, faculty and staff are amazing. The people here are great and there are a lot of activities and things to get involved in.”

She served as a staff writer for the Cowley Press last year and assumed her current role as assistant editor at the start of the school year.

“I never really thought about writing until I took Comp. II from (former Cowley instructor) Dave Bostwick my junior year of high school,” Crain said. “Dave asked if I would be interested in writing for the paper and I started doing that and really enjoyed it.”

She hopes one day to become a news anchor or investigative reporter. She is currently taking a broadcasting class at Cowley.

“I just thought that would be a fun job,” Crain said. “I can’t sit at a desk, I love being out and around people.

Dejon Ewing’s Interpersonal Communications class peaked her interest in the profession even more. Crain considers Ewing, who she has known since she was a child, to have been one of her favorite instructors at Cowley.

“I loved her Interpersonal Communications class,” Crain said. “She has always been a special person to me.”

Crain considers her mother, Pam, to be one of the major influences in her life.

“She’s my best friend,” Crain said. “She always pushes me to be my best and to never give up.”

In her free time she enjoys singing, cooking, scrap booking and shopping. She also enjoys spending time with family and friends.

After graduating from Cowley, she plans to transfer to a four year school with a good communications program. She has looked into John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark., and Missouri Southern University in Joplin, Mo.

“I am open to see where I am headed,” Crain said.