Cowley College Humanities Event Draws Growing Interest From Area High Schools

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Cowley College's annual Student Spotlight: Humanities & Communication Day saw significant growth this year, welcoming 39 high school students from eight area schools, up from 30 students representing three schools last year, according to information provided by Hunter Ferguson, integrated communications specialist for the college.

The event provided students with an immersive experience in Cowley's Humanities and Communication programs, Ferguson said. Participants attended small-group activity sessions in either Mass Communications or Creative Writing based on their individual interests and toured the campus to learn about academic and student life opportunities.

During lunch, attendees heard from a panel of five current students and two alumni. The group represented a wide range of backgrounds, including program majors and non-majors, traditional and non-traditional students, and both on-campus and online learners. Panelists shared their personal journeys, successes and challenges, emphasizing the importance of campus involvement and building strong connections with instructors and peers.

"This was the first year we offered a student panel during the Student Spotlight, and it was a great success," said Meg Smith, director of mass communication. "Our current and former students had the opportunity to share their Cowley experience with our local high school students considering Cowley as part of their academic journey. The panel was made up of students within the Humanities and Communications department, and they answered questions from the visiting high school students."

The event concluded with the presentation of student awards in Creative Writing and Mass Communications, according to Ferguson.

Creative Writing contest winners included Thomas Bridgewater of Oxford High School for first place poetry, Cecily Shull of Oxford High School for first place prose, and Nathaniel Bohm of Wichita South High School for best overall.

Mass Communications contest winners included Savannah Whitson of Oxford High School for first place photography, Eddy Flowers of Oxford High School for second place photography, and Aurora Chandler of Campus High School for first place print storytelling.

The Creative Writing Program has extended scholarship offers to Aubrey Justice of Oxford High School and Bohm. The students were recently notified and are currently considering their offers, Ferguson said.

College staff noted that the increased attendance and engagement reflect growing interest in Cowley's Humanities and Communication programs.

More information is available at Cowley.edu.