Cottey hosts community meeting

Cottey College president Dr. Judy Rogers addresses a crowd of local business leaders during the first ever president's breakfast. The event was conducted Wednesday, in the Raney Dining Room at Cottey College, and aimed at building a connection between the college and other entities in the area.

By Lynn A. Wade

Nevada Daily Mail

Over eggs, potatoes, fresh fruit and coffee, Cottey College President Dr. Judy Rogers announced the news to about 80 members of the community who attended the first ever president's breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 11 -- Cottey is growing and is committed to reaching out as a vital contributor to the community.

Rogers took the opportunity to introduce several Cottey workers and faculty, explaining the role of each person to those in attendance, and how these people interact with the community.

For example, Mary Ketterman is working on the college's Lumina Foundation project, which offers programs relating to diversity to students and to the public. More events are scheduled this year, which Ketterman said would be announced as dates become finalized.

Cottey also sponsors several community events, among them the 15-year tradition of the Women's Symposium. This year's Women's Symposium will be Nov. 4, and will feature speaker Esmeralda Santiago, an author and producer of documentary films "When I Was a Puerto Rican," and "Almost A Woman." A book signing will follow, and a cultural fair is also planned in conjunction with her visit.

Rogers noted that many plays, exhibits and lectures are offered each year, and are available to the public.

Cottey also has an internship program in which students work at local businesses, as well as educational opportunities and summer camps that are open to local women. In one such camp, held last summer, students explored careers in engineering. Workers from 3M participated to give students an idea of what such jobs can really entail. Rogers said students came from all over the country -- except the Nevada area. She hopes that will change in the future and that local people will see Cottey as one of the choices available to them and that they'll take part in educational opportunities that arise.

Rogers said that, in terms of growth, it's Cottey's ultimate goal to reach a student population of 500, but that's a long-term goal.

An intermediate goal may be reached soon -- to reach and maintain the school's current residential capacity of 350 students. Rogers believes that goal is realistic and quite reachable.

Despite recent decisions by two traditionally women's colleges in the nation to admit men, starting next year, Rogers says there's research indicating that single-gender education is best for many women. Cottey will remain a women's college and is committed to keeping its curriculum up-to-date and to expand opportunities for women at the college.

"When I first came here, we had had a drop in enrollment," Rogers said. At that time -- 2004 -- the student population was 267. Since then, enrollment has grown to 316, a 20-percent increase. Students are from 43 states and 14 foreign countries. A 10-percent population of foreign students is desired, Rogers said, which "provides a rich environment for learning, with all that diversity."

Few students are from the local area, but Rogers hopes that will change. A leadership class for juniors and seniors at Nevada High School that Rogers teaches offers participants training in social and academic leadership skills.

Successful participants are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship to Cottey, or a letter of recommendation that can help get scholarships to the school of their choice.

Cottey's tuition, room and meals is just over $18,000; however, liberal financial aid opportunities area available such as institutional grants, federal financial aid and more.

"Don't assume you can't go to Cottey because you can't afford it. Most people find out what they have to pay is very reasonable," Rogers said. Some scholarships, in fact, are specifically for students from Vernon and surrounding counties.

Rogers also highlighted many changes at the college, including new classes available, a growing and improving sports program, a partnership formed last year between Cottey and Cox College of Nursing in Springfield, a volunteer program and more.

Another event, similar to Wednesday's breakfast, is planned in February.