U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) visited Cowley College and learned more about its new Academic Success Center, according to a news release from the college Thursday.
During Marshall’s tour of the Ark City campus on Wednesday, he had a chance to visit with Cowley College President Dr. Randy Smith and Southwestern College President Dr. Elizabeth Frombgen.
“This was a good example of how Cowley College and Southwestern College work together to build and grow Cowley County and the workforce and economic development in Cowley County,” Smith said.
Smith and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Michelle Schoon, led Marshall on the tour. Marshall concluded his visit with members of Cowley’s Board of Trustees and a few community members inside the Patrick J. McAtee Dining Center.
“My purpose on visiting was to keep my finger on the pulse of Kansas and especially rural America,” Marshall stated in the news release. “The heart of every rural county is typically a community college and a hospital, and those are two of the meccas I try to visit. I think the technical colleges/community colleges are the key to economic success for the state of Kansas.”
Marshall graduated from a community college before receiving his bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and receiving his medical doctorate from the University of Kansas.
He served in the Army Reserves for seven years and practiced medicine in Great Bend for more than 25 years. He and his wife, Laina, continue to have business interests in healthcare, agriculture, community banking, and the oil and gas industry.
Smith said he was proud to show off and discuss Cowley College with the senator.
“We appreciate Senator Marshall visiting Cowley, and for his support of Career and Technical Education and we look forward to working with him as we focus on the workforce development of South Central Kansas,” Smith said. “Career and Technical Education is one of our important missions here at Cowley and I appreciate the Senator supporting us in these very important programs.”
