101st Cowley College Commencement

Cowley Faculty, Staff, distinguished guests, and Three Hundred and Seventy-Two graduating Tigers filled W.S. Scott Auditorium on Saturday, May 4, for the 101st Commencement of Cowley College.

In addition to conferring degrees, Dr. Kermit McMurry received the Outstanding Tiger Alumni Award. Having graduated from Arkansas City Junior College (now Cowley College) in 1965, January 18, 2024, recently marked the 60th anniversary of when Dr. Kermit McMurry set the school record for 30 rebounds against Northeastern Oklahoma College.

Also in attendance were Commencement Speaker Hannah Nicolaisen, Student Senate President Emily Howard, and Student Senate Vice President Journey Catlett - all of whom delivered messages of encouragement and hope to the Class of 2024.

Nicolaisen ranked second in Cowley's volleyball history in kills in a season and a career after her two seasons. She helped the Lady Tiger volleyball team to a fifth-place national finish in 2017 and a record of 33-7 as a sophomore. Nicolaisen went on to play volleyball and study exercise science at the University of Illinois Springfield, graduating in 2022. Following graduation, she moved to Montgomery, AL, where she initially auditioned for American Idol and was honored to make it to the Top 20 finalists in Season 21. Since appearing on the show, she has moved to Nashville with her now fiancée and continues to pursue music as a career.

Graduating students included those from the summer of 2023 through the summer of 2024. Those who graduated last summer and last December received their diplomas as well. Following commencement, attendees flooded the front of the auditorium to congratulate the graduates and celebrate with them.

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu