Alumni & Friends In 1995, seeing an opportunity to expand enrollment efforts into Sedgwick County, the college opened up the Southside Education Center in Wichita through a partnership with Wichita State University and Wichita Area Technical College. The center grew by leaps and bounds and by 2002 overall enrollment at the center had surpassed the Arkansas City campus. Growth ensued for another 6 years until Wichita State University, who had expanded course offerings into a nearby facility, no longer gave permission for Cowley to host classes in Sedgwick County. In one fell swoop, over a third of the enrollment evaporated. Employees pulled together to recapture the lost enrollment and removed the need to cut dozens of jobs throughout the college. We endured. hen my grandfather used to plantW fruit trees in his yard he was very I noticed a couple of years ago, Today, while the search commences intentional about how much water, during a project we were working on for a new president, the faculty and and how frequently he watered them. with the college library to digitize staff continue to do what we have His theory was if you water them too yearbooks, that there were several always done in tough times; dig deep, much you raise a ‘lazy tree’ that would of the Tigerama yearbooks missing keep the students first and push develop a shallow root system because during the mid-1940’s. No one I forward. We continue to be one of there was no need to grow deep roots had asked at the time knew why. A the most successful colleges in the in search of water. He asserted the few months ago I had been having a nation in the number of students who problem with lazy trees was this; when conversation with an alumnus who graduate and transfer to the university high winds and storms blew through, had attended ACJC during those years level or head to the workforce. New they were more inclined to bend, and during that conversation I found initiatives are under way to raise the break and collapse beneath the stress. out why. Throughout the course of bar for degree attainment centered A tree forced to grow strong, deep U.S. involvement in World War II, around the successful completion of roots was able to endure the various decisions were made at the college math and English classes – historically trials nature tossed at it. and throughout the school district, the biggest academic roadblock in a to assist in the war effort by not only student earning their degree. State A well-publicized storm swept adhering to rationing guidelines, reports verify on average our graduates through Cowley College over the past but also to make cuts deemed ‘in do better academically at state year in the hiring and departure of our excess’ by school administrators. The universities than the native students last college president. The aftermath Tigerama yearbook was just such a cut who began there as freshmen. We are of this storm has been like most, and although not significant in size, moving forward. there are limbs to pick up and leaves was reflective of the many sacrifices scattered on the ground, but Cowley the college, and citizens across the Retired NCAA coach and College remains – having withstood country made during the war years. commentator Lou Hotlz once made the tempest. This was not the first We endured. the comment, “Show me someone storm, and despite all best efforts, who has done something worthwhile, history proves it will not be our last. During the academic year of 1967- and I’ll show you someone who has Today however, we stand because our 1968, two significant events occurred overcome adversity.” We have seen roots run deep. that rocked the college to the core. adversity. We have overcome adversity. Just a few years earlier, in 1965, state We will overcome adversity again. As if simply planting a community legislative action started the ball When the mighty winds blow and college in the city of Arkansas City in rolling on a process that ultimately the storms attempt to bring us to the 1922 wasn’t a big enough job itself, would lead to the college severing ground, we make the sacrifices, we pull less than a decade later the Great administrative and operational ties together, and we hold steadfast until Depression came along and forced with the local school district, USD it passes. many into unemployment. Enrollment 470, which for the prior 45 years at the college increased 5 times over had run the college. In July of 1967, Our roots run deep. amidst the depression era, yet facilities the college took the first step into could not keep up with the demand autonomy with the election of the first and additional faculty was not board of trustees and the appointment brought on to scale. This resulted in of long-time district employee, Dr. overcrowded classrooms (some as high Paul Johnson, as the college’s first Ben Schears Class of 2001 as double their normal occupancy) president. Only 8 short months Vice President of and higher than acceptable student to later, after battling a brief illness, Dr. Institutional Advancement faculty ratios. We endured. Johnson passed away. We endured. 1 - pg.3-4 Reece Bohannon pg.3 pg.5 Out of Africa pg.6 New York Conservatory pg.7 Commencement pg.8 Duck Dash pg.7 pg.9 Clementes pg.10 Groves Scholarship pg.11-12 pg.12 Outstanding Tiger Alumni pg.13 Volleyball All-Americans pg.14 Student Showcase pg.15 Cup Standings/ Reece Bohannon pg.16 We Heard From/ pg.6 Groves Scolarship pg.17 Out of Africa/ Duck Dash/ Clementes pg.18 We want to hear from you Stories by Rama Peroo and Ben Schears. Layout and Design by Kris Ripley. - 32 Alumni & Friends and, during one of was back when bamboo poles our recent visits, he were being used,” he said. “They asked me if I could stopped using them because they locate some old didn’t have much flex and would benches he built break.” years ago when he worked at He didn’t have access to the the college. He popular steel poles that were thought they being used in the wake of athletes might be out by injured by broken bamboo poles. Ireland Hall – Characteristic of what would the ‘original define much of Reece’s life, he stone high improvised and made one. school’ – a “The high school didn’t have any building of the new style poles to practice of historical significance with, so I cut a hackberry tree of which I am quite fond. This sapling and learned to vault with one simple request sent me on a it.” As I walked along the sidewalk mission that has not only allowed toward the building, I couldn’t me to have a small hand in saving Being an all-around athlete, Reece help but admire the timeless the benches, but has earned attended Ark City Junior College beauty of the limestone blocks that me the opportunity to sit at his (ACJC) on a basketball scholarship had been so carefully set in place kitchen table, sip ice water and be and was on the 1952-1953 to create the timeless and sturdy captivated while Reece recounted basketball team, which earned retaining wall. As I walked up the stories, memories and love he distinction for their 2nd place the steps toward the voluminous shares for this college. finish at the national tournament. wooden doors of the building, I His track skills would eventually High School and College Years lead him to the ACJC track team passed by two benches painted a Growing up 30 miles east of muted shade of red to match the where he would go on to compete Arkansas City in the little town in both the pole vault and the trim of the building. I had passed of Cedar Vale, Reece looks back these benches dozens of times over high jump. During his time at fondly on his upbringing and the ACJC, he quickly became involved the years with a cursory glance and experiences he had, and admits he had, on more than one occasion, both on and off the field. He was was somewhat naïve in his younger selected to serve as freshmen class sat down to visit or relax for a few years. minutes to take in the beauty of president, played trumpet in the Ireland Hall. Little did I know at “When I was in high school we band, and sang in the choir. the time, I was resting on a treasure were given a poll and asked the There were several people of historical value to the college. question whether the government who were influential to Reece’s This treasure may have faded off would lie to us.” Laughing, Reece success during his time at ACJC into oblivion had it not been for said, “Our poll came out 32-0 that including instructors J. Kelsey an old football reunion and the the government would not lie to its Day (who taught Geography and chance meeting of alumni, coach, citizens.” Biology) and W.G. Bunt Speer former teacher Reece Bohannon. On the field he was a standout (who taught Mathematics and Reece and I have talked a few track athlete with a particular coached Track). Of the instructors times over the past couple of years talent for the pole vault. “That at the college at that time, none 3 - had a greater impact on as the Machine Shop the Recreation Center.