Sturd receives Ambassador Award; Wests named Young Achievers

Click image for photo gallery of the Foundation Banquet.

Treated to an evening of dinner and music, a large crowd of Cowley College donors attended the annual Cowley College Foundation banquet held 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. “Without what you do we could not do what we do, and that is change the lives of students” Dr. Gregg said.

“Without you these students would not have the dream of a college education. Great Western Dining provided a wonderful dinner, while music was provided by the CC Singers. Following the banquet, Cowley College’s Theatre Department performed “Once Upon a Mattress” in the Robert Brown Theatre.

During the banquet, Cowley College employees Landon and Lory West were announced as this year’s recipients 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.

Landon serves as the director of housing at Cowley College. He attended Cowley on a baseball scholarship and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in 2005. He then went on to Emporia State University to continue playing baseball and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation with a minor in coaching.

Lory also received an Associate’s Degree from Cowley College prior to obtaining Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Emporia State University. While at Cowley she was crowned Queen Alalah in October 2004 and was named the school’s 2004-2005 Student of the Year.

She is a member of the Kansas National Education Association, National Education Association, and the College Education Association.

“This is very unexpected,” Lory said. “This means a lot to us. We love Cowley, our kids love Cowley, and everything about it.”

Mike Munson, vice president of the Cowley College Foundation Board, presented the Ambassador Award to John Sturd. The award recognizes individuals who have provided sustained volunteer or other service, or through philanthropic work to Cowley College.

Sturd is the Market President for RCB Bank in Arkansas City and serves on the Cowley College Foundation and Tiger Booster Club Boards.

Sturd graduated from Cowley College in 1980. At Cowley, he captured Region VI singles and doubles titles as a member of the Tiger tennis team, which finished sixth nationally. He served in various clubs and organizations while also serving as vice president of SGA during his sophomore year at the school.

He went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University and has over 35 years of experience in the banking business.

Sturd, who is a member of Rotary, serves on several committees and leadership positions at Central Christian Church in Arkansas City and is a previous Grand Marshal for Arkalalah and past president of the Ark City Chamber of Commerce.

He was extremely humbled to receive the award.

“Cowley has meant a lot to me and our family,” Sturd said. “We bleed Orange. Because of what Cowley did for me in helping me become who I am it is only right that I give back.”

Also during the banquet, Meg Smith, director of journalism, and Cowley alumnus Courtney (Crain) Sendall spoke about the Student Experience Fund. Sendall shared her experience as a Cowley student where she was able to take a trip to Paris, France along with the Media Club to attend an international media seminar.

“It was an incredible experience that you cannot put a price tag on and it was possible thanks to the donors,” Sendall said.

Dr. Gregg thanked Cowley employees Lisa Grose, Liz Shepard, Abby Hollins, and Kris Ripley for their help coordinating the annual Endowment Banquet.

“This is a way to celebrate our donors who give the greatest gift they can give and that is the gift of an education,” Dr. Gregg said. To donate to the Cowley College Endowment Association, contact Dr. Kori Gregg at 620-441-5245.