Cottey opens 129th year

Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Yuin-Kay Constance Chia, president of the Cottey College Student Government Association, welcomes new students. Behind her, left to right, are Cottey College President Dr. Judy Rogers, Cerner Corp. Director of Talent Development Laura Evans, Cottey College Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Cathryn Pridal and Cottey College Director of Spiritual Life Erica Sigauke.

Nevada Daily Mail

The opening convocation for Cottey College's 129th year took place Monday, in the auditorium at the Haidee and Allen Wild Center for the Arts.

President Dr. Judy Rogers welcomed students to a new year at a facility that's growing and adding new opportunities for women. She called attention to baccalaureate degrees now being offered by the school, although Cottey College is still a two-year institution.

submitted photo Third-year student Rachel McPherson, a psychology major, signs the book for students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at Cottey College. The signing of the Cottey book is a longstanding tradition for first-year students. With the inception of four-year programs came a new book, for third-year students and transfer students enrolled in four-year programs. Cottey, a two-year institution, offers selected four-year degree programs; psychology is the most recent field of study added to the list of baccalaureate programs.

Rogers said there are 17 months left in the college's "Defining Moment" $35 million fundraising effort that's "critical to enable curricular changes," now taking place and coming in the future.

Following an invocation by Cottey College Director of Spiritual Life Erica Sigauke, Yuin-Kay Constance Chia, president of the Student Government Association, addressed students, expressing appreciation for the accessibility of its president, the small size of classes, the opportunities to know and interact with classmates and opportunities such as international travel and other learning experiences available at Cottey.

Chia assured incoming students that "Cottey sets her students up for success," and that, "Because of Cottey, the odds are definitely in your favor."

The keynote speaker, Laura Evans, Cerner Corp. director of talent development, told students that failure is often one of the best ways to learn, and that employers look for employees who are adaptable and who embrace change.

Evans also advised students to use their time as students to experiment and to seek out experiences like internships while they are students.

Following Evans' address, traditions such as the signing of the Cottey book followed.

The book-signing tradition originated with the Class of 1935, and symbolizes a pledge to, among other things, uphold the school's honor code.

First-year students also were presented with daisies, another long-standing tradition at Cottey College.

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