Osen named Young Achiever, Peroo receives Ambassador Award
Treated to a wonderful dinner and a murder mystery, a large crowd of Cowley College donors attended the annual Cowley College Foundation banquet Thursday in the Earle N. Wright Community Room.
The event had generous support from CPA Solutions L.L.C., and The Trust Company of Kansas who have served as sponsors for the event for a number of years.
Cowley College vice president of institutional advancement Dr. Kori Gregg served as emcee for the evening and thanked those in attendance for their support.
“All of you make what we do such a joy,” Dr. Gregg said. “Because of you we are able to help our students get the higher education that they all deserve. Your dollars are making a difference in our students’ lives.”
This fall the school was able to provide $215,000 worth of scholarship support to more than 394 students.
Great Western Dining provided a wonderful dinner. Following the banquet, those in attendance were treated to the murder mystery “A Fistful of Hollers”. During the banquet Avery Osen was announced as this year’s recipient of the Young Achiever Award. The award recognizes individuals age 40 or younger that have had success in their educational achievements, careers and community service, and/or service to Cowley College.
Osen graduated from Cowley College in 2015. At Cowley, Osen was a member of the Media Club, was a Student Ambassador, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and was named to the Dean’s and President’s Honor Rolls. He also did sports announcing and numerous commercials and promotional videos for the college.
He went on to earn a scholarship to Kansas State University and was accepted into the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. While at KSU, he wrote for USA Today, created a radio program called, “Out of Left Field”, wrote extensively for The Collegian and was on air with K-State Channel 8.
In 2017 Osen was recognized by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters for his outstanding efforts in broadcast communication. He received first place for “Avery Osen News Anchoring” in the DJ personality for radio or news anchor for TV category and an honorable mention for “Sports with Avery Osen” in the sportscast category.
Osen also served as a campus correspondent for ESPNU and graduated from KSU in May 2017. He is now a journalism instructor at Kansas State and recently signed to work for the Kansas City Chiefs as a member of the on field video team. He also serves as a sports writer at AP Sports.
He is the son of Charles and Kelli Osen of Winfield. He was surprised by family and friends prior to a video tribute honoring his accomplishments.
“I am honored and humbled to get this award,” Osen said. “I can’t go anywhere without thanking my mom and dad. Reflecting on my time at Cowley, I want to thank everybody for your financial donations. The community here in Ark City is outstanding. I know as a student on scholarship here I am very thankful for that financial gift that was given to me. It is something I can never pay back, I can only try to pay it forward to other students.”
Dr. Gregg then presented the Ambassador Award to Rama Peroo. The award recognizes individuals who have given significant volunteer and other contributions to both Cowley College and the community, and consistently give of themselves and their time to make the community better.
Peroo has been employed at Cowley College since Sept. 2003. He currently serves as the director of institutional communication and public relations/sports information director.
Peroo graduated from Wichita State University in 1999 with a degree in communications and began his career with the Courier Traveler before moving to Cowley College in 2003. While at Cowley College Peroo has been the recipient of the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations medallion award in 2013, 2015 and 2016. The medallion award recognizes excellence in design and communications at community and technical colleges and is awarded annually on a competitive basis.
Peroo is well known for his excellence in reporting, public relations and sports information for the college. In addition, Peroo also serves as the college’s official spokesperson and liaison with local, regional and national media.
“Rama’s nomination for this award came from the community” said Dr. Kori Gregg, vice president of institutional advancement. “It speaks volumes to the level of respect that is held for Rama, not only within our college family, but within the community as a whole. He is an individual of great character, values and integrity and it is those qualities that create the level of trust necessary for the position he holds at the college. I am beyond thrilled that we are able to recognize Rama with this award”.
Peroo was surprised at the banquet by his family and friends. A tribute video followed featuring recognitions and congratulations for Peroo.
“What an honor and surprise to receive the Ambassador Award,” Peroo said. “To be thought of in the same company as past Ambassador Award recipients such as John Sturd, Ed Gilliland, Larry and Carlla Pike, Gary Hale, Bill and Judy Docking, and Bob and JoLynn Foster is truly humbling. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family that supports me in all that I do and also to work for an institution that I love. Working for incredible people such as Dr. Kori Gregg and the individuals in the institutional advancement and athletic offices makes being at Cowley an amazing experience.”
To donate to the Cowley College Foundation, contact Dr. Kori Gregg at 620-441-5245 or go to www.cowleyfoundation.org/donate.
Photos: John Sturd, Vice-President Cowley College Foundation Board and Avery Osen; John Sturd, Vice-President Cowley College Foundation Board and Rama Peroo.