Rogers: Cottey growth remarkable

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Nevada Daily Mail

From new bachelor's degrees to the school's current fundraising campaign, those attending the Cottey "Vacation College," and faculty and staff at the college, as well as community supporters, got an update from Dr. Judy Rogers, Cottey College president, on the state of the college and all things Cottey.

Before a packed Raney dining room in Robertson Hall on the campus, Rogers made note of a number of highlights in the just completed college academic year, and turned her sights to the future.

Calling the just completed commencement a "remarkable" experience, Rogers pointed out that the school had its first baccalaureate graduate.

Addressing the growth of the college in this area, Rogers said Cottey is "an associate degree granting college with selected baccalaureate programs. We're still supporting strongly our associate's degree."

Currently, the college offers four-year degrees in English, environmental studies, international relations and business, and psychology.

Rogers told the audience that Cottey received notification from its accrediting agency, The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, that it has been granted general authority to offer additional bachelor's degree programs in the social sciences and humanities, and has received an additional 10 years of accreditation.

This allows Cottey to add majors in other humanitarian and social sciences without having to go through a formal approval process each year.

Rogers said the authority to include additional four-year degree programs "can only enhance the college's growth and long-term stability." In an earlier press release on the announcement, she noted, "It gives us the flexibility to offer the majors that are important to today's students."

Officials at the college anticipate the first two new Bachelor of Arts degree programs to be offered will be degrees in business and in liberal arts.

"We will be able to offer both of these bachelor's degrees beginning with the fall 2013 semester," said Rogers.

Cottey currently offers a bachelor's in international business, which focuses on multinational corporations. The new degree will focus specifically on management.

"We expect to now move forward strategically with math and science," she said. "It's important not to neglect the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs."

Rogers said she expected to have about 45-50 students on campus in the fall pursuing bachelor's degrees.

"We're eager to get new majors. And we're delighted to accept transfer students.

"If we have it, please come. And if we don't, keep watching and we will."

Service learning

Rogers pointed out the school's selection to the 2013 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This designation is the highest honor a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.

At the time of the recognition, the president noted Cottey's "long history of service-learning," and added that Cottey "believes strongly in preparing our graduates to be active leaders and participants in an ever changing world."

That service learning was exemplified by three students who were recognized by the Missouri Campus Compact for having 73 service hours in one semester.

"Our students are very active," said Rogers, adding that such service was "part of our leadership learning."

Additionally, she said 48 students completed a leadership opportunities program with Renee Hampton, Cottey's Experiential Learning coordinator.

The Cottey president praised the school's partnership with Nevada High School and counselor Patty Murray, in which a select group of junior and senior girls took part in the yearlong Presidential Leadership class.

Athletics

Turning to athletics, Rogers noted the school's successes in basketball and volleyball.

She added that the college just recently dedicated a new softball field, the Vanek Family Memorial Field. She said this was made possible by the generosity of Dr. Dorothy Vanek, who donated the funds to make the softball team's dream of having a home field a reality.

International travel

Cottey once again sent its students out into the world through a variety of projects.

Students went to Guatemala for a service learning trip, got the chance to study abroad in various locations specific to the students' needs for their careers, and visited Italy and Thailand.

Defining Moment

Campaign

She concluded her remarks with an update on the College's fundraising efforts.

"We've had fundraising before, for specific buildings and for scholarships, but this is the first time we've had a comprehensive effort."

She said the campaign added several priorities to the scholarship needs, targeting new funds for adding faculty chairs, a library expansion to handle the new bachelor's degree programs, and a new fine arts instruction building dedicated to the teaching of art, music and dance.

"Our library has been great for our associate degree programs but we must meet the new needs of our growing baccalaureate programs."

The need for a new instruction building is clear, she said, and is why the campaign includes one new building project.

"Right now, each of these areas meets in facilities spread across campus. We want to bring them together."

She said this part of the fundraising campaign was lagging behind the others at this point but added she was confident this need would be met.

"We know we will get there. Once we do, we will deed that building to the P.E.O. sisterhood, who owns the campus. This will just enhance the value of our college.

"We are debt free. We don't issue bonds and we don't assume debt."

A fifth priority of the campaign is the undesignated and annual fund, she said.

Launched in September 2009, the campaign has raised approximately $31.9 million to date of the $35 million goal.

"We couldn't have reached this point without P.E.O. and alumnae volunteers."

Rogers said there have been 17,240 donors, who have presented both small and large gifts that comprise the total of 62,167 donations.

"We are grateful regardless of the size of the gift.

"This is coming together, for all people who love Cottey and support women's education.

"We will reach our goal. It's a very important goal and we need you to push hard to reach that amount by January 2014."

In conclusion she extended an invitation for new students.

"Everyone here, please speak to someone about Cottey and send us the name of a potential student who might be interested."

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