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Serenbetz Institute dedicated at Cottey
Nevada Daily Mail
Before a record turnout for P.E.O. visit day at Cottey College, President Judy Rogers, members of the school's faculty and staff, and P.E.O. member Thelma Serenbetz and her family dedicated the newly renamed Serenbetz Institute for Women's Leadership, Social Responsibility and Global Awareness Saturday.
On a bright, warm morning, Dr. Rogers welcomed Thelma Serenbetz and her family; husband, Warren, and granddaughter, Skyler, to Cottey and to the Institute.
In her address to those in attendance, Dr. Rogers expressed her appreciation for the $1 million gift, which will serve to foster the institute's goals of preparing Cottey students for future roles in their communities and in the world.
With 120 P.E.O. members registered for the annual visitation to the college, which is owned by the Philanthropic Educational Organization, Dr. Rogers expressed her pleasure to those visiting saying that, "You can share this event with us."
In addition to PEOs from across the United States, members of the Cottey Board of Trustees were also on hand, having been in meetings during the week in assessing three finalists for a successor to Dr. Rogers, who earlier announced her retirement for next year.
With balloons adorning the building and Cottey students on hand to lead tours following the dedication, Dr. Rogers gave a brief history of the home of the institute and its mission.
Built in 1920, the building was the home of W.F. Norman, the owner of a sheet metal and tile company in Nevada. That company still exists today.
Housing six full bathrooms, one for each bedroom, and 90 windows, its unique architectural style features a roof of sheet metal fashioned to look like tile.
The home passed through several hands prior to its being purchased by the college in 1997.
In regular use by Cottey since then, it became the site of the college's leadership institute since its establishment in the fall of 2010.
To expand that initiative, the house "will need minor renovation to repurpose some of its current rooms on the second floor, for class work and learning areas," said Dr. Rogers.
Chief among the physical needs will be the installation of an elevator, to bring the building into ADA compliance and improve accessibility for students.
The institute has a national advisory board made up of prominent leaders in their field. The first meeting of that council was in April 2013.
Much like the college's board of trustees, the advisory board members hail from across the U.S.
A new director, Dr. Carol Clyde, has been hired.
The institute focuses on the college's expanding baccalaureate programs and the third and fourth-year students.
"As the institute evolves, it will extend our programming to continuing education for women of all ages."
Making this advancement of the institute's mission possible is the Serenbetz donation.
"In March 2014, Thelma called to make a gift of $1 million," recalled Dr. Rogers. It was a call that "every president dreams of," she said.
Serenbetz, a P.E.O. member of Chapter AJ in New York, was "inspired because of the mission of Cottey and our intention to become a four-year college," said the president.
"The institute was a perfect vehicle for her gift.
"The Cottey vision for the institute enables our academic program to provide focused undergraduate research, leadership immersion through faculty-led travel, the distinguished speaker series providing women role models and mentoring opportunities, and student internships, particularly, tailored summer internships related to the students' majors.
"This will support the interest and careers of those working in four-year majors.
"It will touch so many students, enhance the reputation of the college, and support the growth of the college."
Maria Baseggio, president of the International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, also spoke at the dedication, on behalf of the 234,000 members who make up 6,000 chapters.
"As proud owners of our college, it's fitting to pay tribute to one of our members who exemplifies the true spirit of P.E.O. and of being passionate about women's education.
"P.E.O.s enjoy giving and these are traits of Thelma Serenbetz.
"We take great interest in the success of our students and our college and the commitment of our faculty to provide the best education to every one of our students.
"Our college provides an international experience. Typically, we have 20-25 countries represented on our campus.
"Our second-year students get a Cottey paid week-long trip to Europe. Our third and fourth-year students are eligible to study abroad, depending on the program."
Baseggio hailed Serenbetz's gift as a way to expand, "the leadership opportunities we provide to our Cottey women. We want to prepare them to be strong leaders in their community, in society and in their personal lives."
Janet Brown, chair of the Cottey College Board of Trustees, noted that she had seen such student involvement and leadership during her time on campus.
"Our students actively participated in the interviews this week for our three finalists to follow Dr. Rogers.
"This (the donation) is a seminal gift that will enable us to do so much more. It will have a tremendous impact in our ability to foster women's leadership.
"Our participants and graduates will reshape the world in which we live."
Thelma Serenbetz was introduced and spoke of her embrace of Cottey and its mission.
"I'm delighted to be here. I admire this organization that provides such a wonderful education."
Granddaughter Skyler continued Thelma's comments, pointing to the Socratic belief that "knowledge is virtue."
Through education, "we find solutions to improve our lives through thoughtful action.
"It is my hope that my gift will open doors and windows for Cottey students and that the young women who study here will learn how to be good students and do good."