Cottey College welcomes students for 129th year

Nevada Daily Mail

The annual rite of fall begins as new students move to Cottey College and Nevada. First-year students begin arriving Friday, Aug. 24, followed shortly thereafter by the arrival of the second-, third-, and fourth-year students on Sunday, Aug. 26. The citizens of Nevada and surrounding communities are to be advised of the increase in pedestrian traffic on Austin Boulevard and are asked to exercise caution.

Orientation activities will include a community picnic and community fair at Marmaduke Park, from 6-8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25. The picnic is open to the public, and there is no charge. Citizens are encouraged to welcome the students to the community and help them to get to know the people who live in their new home away from home.

Officially, the beginning of the academic year will arrive with the Opening Convocation at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 27, in the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts auditorium.

Laura Evans, director of talent development, Cerner Corporation, will be the honored speaker at convocation. Cerner recently announced a healthy community partnership with Nevada and Vernon County. Evans' responsibilities at Cerner include developing and managing relationships with middle, secondary, and post-secondary schools and other education and training organizations in support of Cerner's workforce development and community investment objectives. Immediately following Evans' talk, the students will participate in one of the oldest traditions on campus, the signing of the Cottey Book.

Classes will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 29.

To help Nevada merchants extend greetings to the families and students, the College sent "Welcome Cottey" signs to every business in town. Businesses that would like more "Welcome Cottey" signs should contact the Office of Public Information at (417) 667-8181, ext. 2140.