Cowley College trustees wrapped up the fall semester Monday night by celebrating national postseason success, highlighting new campus initiatives and handling routine business ahead of the spring term.
The Board of Trustees met at 6 p.m. in the President’s Dining Room inside the McAtee Dining Center on the Ark City main campus. Trustee Gary Wilson delivered the invocation, and Chair Bob McGregor recited the college mission statement.
Cowley President Dr. Michelle Schoon opened the meeting by spotlighting recent athletic accomplishments, noting that Cowley volleyball and both the men’s and women’s soccer teams advanced to their national semifinals. Schoon also announced the launch of Behind the Stripes, a new athletics-focused podcast hosted by Rama Peroo, assistant athletic director of sports media and communication, and Dave Burroughs, former Cowley basketball coach. She added that she recently attended the Cowley College Theatre production of Twelfth Night.
Trustee Joe Shriver later shared highlights from the Kansas Association of Community Colleges quarterly meeting held earlier this month at Garden City Community College. Government Affairs Liaison Jessica Lucas followed with a legislative update.
Several campus updates were included in administrative reports. Trustees were informed that the Cowley Foundation will relocate to the Galle-Johnson building. The Golden Tigers program closed the fall semester with 269 participants, and planning for the spring semester is underway. Criminal Justice Instructor Frank Owens reported that Student Patrol members will complete the semester with 783 hours of community service outside of their regular patrol duties.
There was no public comment.
Trustee Gary Wilson also summarized a recent finance subcommittee meeting, where members reviewed the fiscal year 2024 audit and discussed equipment needs for the college’s welding program. Trustees unanimously approved the audit and later approved the purchase of $108,997.44 in welding equipment from Lampton Welding Supply, funded through Perkins Reserve Grant funds and the Capital Outlay Mill fund.
Academic and policy updates followed, including a review of paramedic course updates and a first reading of revisions to Policy 214.00, Scheduling, Assignment and Cancellation of Classes. Final approval of the policy is expected at the January meeting.
Trustees also approved the consent agenda, which included minutes from the November meeting, financial reports, bills and claims, personnel transactions and several revised board policies.
The meeting concluded with discussion of the revised Board of Trustees Handbook. After completing a second reading, McGregor recommended tabling final approval to allow additional time to review the changes. Trustees approved the motion on a 6–1 vote.
With no further business, McGregor adjourned the meeting at 6:41 p.m.
For more information, see the meeting agenda.
