May 2026 Board Meeting Highlights

The Cowley College Board of Trustees gathered for their May 18th meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the President’s Dining Room inside the McAtee Dining Center on the Ark City Main Campus. Trustee Joe Shriver provided the invocation, and Chair Dr. Alan Marcotte recited the College Mission Statement.

Under Awards and Reports, Cowley President Dr. Michelle Schoon shared that Cowley College conferred 428 degrees and certificates during its 103rd Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9, with nearly 300 graduates participating. The Spring Robotics Competition was a success with approximately 200 students participating. The Cowley College February student of the month, Dacey Morris, won the Arkansas City 2026 Outstanding Student Award.

Greg Butler provided the annual Impact TRiO program update.

Matt Stone and Frank Owens provided an update on the recent College-wide Active Intruder training.

Under Administrative Reports, the Sumner Campus will plant soybeans to prepare the land for the pollinator habitat, in accordance with the Bee and Butterfly Seed Legacy Program. The IMPACT Banquet was held on April 21, 2026, where the program recognized student achievement, leadership, persistence, and overall program impact. Kristi Shaw was awarded the TRiO Champion Award. Cowley College Athletics hosted its annual end-of-the-year banquet. The male athlete of the Year was Esteban Boisseau (XC and T&F), and the female athlete of the year was Sthefany Silva (Women's Soccer). Sandra Davis was awarded Booster of the Year.

No Public Comment.

Under Standing Committee Reports, Trustee Bob McGregor provided a recap of the May 11th, 2026, Trustee Finance Subcommittee meeting, where members discussed a Cowley College & Cowley Foundation MOU, Roofing Repairs, and the procurement of an HVAC unit replacement serving the Webb-Brown Academic Building from Winfield Heating and Plumbing, at a cost of $132,480, using Tech Ed Capital Outlay funds (approved 8-0). Bob McGregor requested the Board authorize Chair Marcotte to sign the final Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the College and the Cowley Foundation (approved 8-0).

Chair Dr. Alan Marcotte provided a summary of the May 13th, 2026, electronic Trustee Policy Subcommittee review of policy 272.00 – Employee Participation in Student Elections (revised), presented for a first review. Final approval will be requested at the June meeting.

Brett Bazil requested an executive session to discuss personnel transactions, pursuant to the exception related to non-elected personnel, for 20 minutes, with possible action to follow (approved 8-0).

Phil White requested an extension of the executive session for an additional five minutes to discuss personnel transactions with possible action to follow. (approved 8-0)

Following the executive sessions, the Board approved the Consent Agenda as presented, including the Minutes from the April 20th, 2026 regular meeting, Financial Reports, Bills and Claims, Personnel Transactions, and Board Policies 253.00 – Registration and Enrollment (revised), and 266.00 – Academic Progress (revised) (approved 5-3).

The Board then held three additional executive sessions totaling 35 minutes to discuss professional negotiations, the President’s annual evaluation, and college technology. No action followed the executive sessions. 

With no other business to discuss, Chair Marcotte declared the meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. 

For more details, see the agenda.

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