Weitzel an integral part of the Cottey community

Cottey College intern

Since the founding of Cottey College in 1884, there have only been 12 college presidents -- a small number, considering the long, rich history Cottey has established in its 132 years. During the evolution, growth and expansion of the private women's college, presidents have come and gone, but each has left a definitive mark upon the college and the community of Nevada. Dr. Jann Rudd Weitzel joined the Cottey community as president on June 15, 2015, and on Oct. 22, she will officially be inaugurated as Cottey's newest president.

"She goes above and beyond as president. She has impacted me by displaying a character-model behavior that influences young women to imitate her," stated third-year Cottey student Tiara Rowell. Rowell is one of the few current Cottey students who has experienced Cottey under two presidents.

During her short time on campus, Weitzel's influence on the Cottey community is undeniable, as students are eager to speak about Weitzel and the positive changes she is bringing to the college.

"I find Dr. Weitzel to be a very inspiring person. She is confident in herself and seems to be on top of what she wants to do with and for the college. She also seems to have a solid game plan for what she would like to accomplish in the coming years," said second-year student and Student Government Association President Melanie Dillon.

During the inauguration events, Weitzel will be presented with a Duck Jacket (DJ) from the students with each of the clubs represented on the jacket. DJs are large denim jackets that have been part of college tradition for over 50 years. DJs typically have ducks on the back -- the senior mascot -- and are covered in an assortment of bells, buttons and pins. The jackets are worn for various school traditions and passed down to younger classmates from year-to-year. Some DJs can be dated back to the 1960s.

During the inauguration ceremony, Cottey students will form a Daisy Chain -- a graduation tradition where first and third-year students dress in all white, sing traditional songs and hold daisies as they welcome the graduating classes to the commencement ceremony.

"I am so excited that Dr. Weitzel is incorporating so many rich Cottey traditions into this formal event. By involving each organization on campus and including traditions, the inauguration will be more memorable for Cottey women," said second-year student and Golden Key President Abigail Young.

To students, communication and interaction from the president with the campus community is important. Weitzel is always willing to speak with students about their suggestions or concerns and eager to say hello as she passes a student on the sidewalk or in Raney Dining Hall.

Her initial involvement on campus was immediately apparent to students. She attends events, performances and speakers and is a member of the college handbell choir.

"Dr. Weitzel has created a line of open communication between herself and the Cottey community," said handbell choir leader, Holly Long.

Weitzel has shown a sincere interest in the students and their goals for both the college and themselves. She has been involved in a variety of student panels and activities in order to get the students' opinions about various topics pertaining to Cottey's short and long-term future.

"She cares about having student input regarding the future of the school, and that means so much to the students at Cottey. She has made me feel that my voice matters," said Dillon.

Weitzel is passionate about the students at Cottey and also about the women of the P.E.O. Sisterhood who have made Cottey possible; the P.E.O. Sisterhood is a women's organization that owns and supports Cottey College. Recently, Weitzel represented Cottey by attending the P.E.O. International Convention where she was able to share her vision for the future of the college.

Her passion for the school is evident in everything she does and will continue to do as she follows in Virginia Alice Cottey Stockard's footsteps as Cottey's President.

"The inauguration at Cottey is not about one person, one president; rather, it is about the entire college, all of its students, faculty, staff, alumnae, P.E.O.s, and friends and how we, together, will continue moving forward," said Weitzel.

The inauguration of Dr. Jann Weitzel as the 12th president of Cottey College will take place on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2:30 p.m. For more information visit www.cottey.edu/inauguration.