Cottey College

Meet Maya Struhar, a senior Organizational Leadership major from Creston, Iowa! Growing up in a small town and graduating with a small high school class, Maya chose Cottey for its size. It was important to Maya that she continue her education where she wouldn’t be just a number. After visiting Cottey’s campus, she knew Cottey was the place for her! Maya is very active on campus and loves all the opportunities Cottey provides. She is a Senator-at-Large in the Student Governmen...t Association, the Head Songleader for the senior class, a Golden Key, is a participant in the Dance Company, a member of Phi Theta Kappa and a Resident Assistant in Reeves Hall. She has performed in several plays, is a former Delta Psi Omega president, and was named Freshman of the Year by a vote of her peers! My best advice for prospective students is to get involved. We have so many clubs, organizations, and societies on campus ranging from sports to theatre to Oreo eating. There’s something for everyone! I’ve found my best friends in some of the first club meetings I attended freshman year. I often hear people say things like college gave me my best friend! but I think it’s more accurate to say that it’s my friends who gave me such a special Cottey experience.

On this day in 1869, Wyoming became the first territory to give women the right to vote, over 50 years before that was achieved on the national level with the 19th Amendment.

Chris Ortiz, adjunct assistant professor of art, was asked to write an article on Cottey College and the pandemic for Kansas City, Missouri’s, PITCH magazine. This link will take you to the article. https://www.thepitchkc.com/small-colleges-are-handling-a-c/

On October 17, both Martina Ramirez and Ella Page broke the Cross Country 5k school record. The Comets raced at the Falcon NCCAA Classic hosted by Kansas Christian College where Martina won the race with a time of 19:29 and Ella finished in a close second place in 19:35. This breaks the five-year-old school record of 19:37!

Today at the Chapel, concrete is being poured into forms for the terraces. The outdoor spaces are really beginning to take shape!

Phonathon kicks off today! Our student callers are ready, the phone lines are heating up, and we are all excited for Phonathon! If you receive a call from 417-667-8181, it’s a student waiting to talk to you! Phonathon will continue until November 18. All gifts received during Phonathon will benefit the Cottey Fund to support Cottey and women’s education.

Today begins the last week of classes for the fall semester.

We are excited to announce the 2022 International Experience Destination!

Recently we received these wonderful 1935 and 1936 copies of the Sphinx, Cottey’s yearbook (today called Retrospect). Note Virginia Alice Cottey Stockard’s autograph below her picture and then president Florence Boehmer’s autograph as well. These books are a treasure trove of Cottey history and delightful autographs. Do you have YOUR yearbook(s)? Many years have copies available for sale. Email [email protected] to inquire about yours.

Dr. Carmen Bourbon, Professor of Spanish, loves teaching at Cottey for the opportunity to educate young women. By being part of their intellectual growth, I am helping them shape their perceptions of the world. By empowering them to reach their goals, they will become future leaders not only in their professional fields, but in society as well. Dr. Bourbon believes that language skills are still valuable. While technology has produced useful tools, it cannot replace the cu...ltural knowledge and understanding that comes with learning a language. These machines will never take the place of human interpreters or translators because their capabilities are decided by human beings. Outside of the classroom, Dr. Bourbon loves to travel, learn about new cultures and traditions, and meet great people along the way. These experiences have helped me to better understand and respect others and to become a better global citizen.

Ashanti is ready for Phonathon to begin on October 27! Hear why she loves connecting with P.E.O.s, alumnae, and friends of the College. Look for our students’ phone calls from 417-667-8181 between October 27 and November 18. To make a gift, visit cottey.edu/give.

Congratulations, Comets!

Happy birthday to Martina Navratilova, a Czechoslovak-born American former professional tennis player and coach. In 2005, Tennis magazine selected her as the greatest female tennis player for the years 1975 through 2005 and she is considered one of the best female tennis players of all time.

Dr. Amanda Gilchrist, Associate Professor of Psychology, loves teaching at Cottey because she has opportunities to develop relationships with her students and get to know how they work. At Cottey, I think students really feel seen without having to try as hard as I did [in my larger college classes.] A cognitive psychologist, Gilchrist’s research typically focuses on capacity limits in working memory and attention, how these change throughout the lifespan, and how we can go... beyond our capacity limits with different strategies. Gilchrist has played the tuba since she was 11 and plays with the Cottey Wind Ensemble on many occasions. She is also active in community theater and has performed in several plays. I’m also pretty involved in health and fitnessI spent a lot of the summer running, hitting my new indoor spin bike, and weightlifting. A healthy mind is important, too, so I do my best to stay centered with lots of yoga and meditation.

Meet Choney, one of our student callers for the upcoming Phonathon, which runs October 27 through November 18! Phonathon is a great opportunity to connect with our students. You can also give online at: cottey.edu/give.

Meet Dee Perkins from Fort Smith, Arkansas. Dee is a Health and Biomedical Science major, plays softball and is passionate about animals, sports, and her friends. Dee chose Cottey because she was drawn by the small, friendly community. I would tell prospective students that no matter where you’re from, Cottey will be a second home.

The days are getting shorter, but the sunsets are no less beautiful. This photo was taken at Radio Springs Lake, eight blocks south of campus.