The Cowley College Board of Trustees filled two board vacancies at Tuesday’s meeting.
The board appointed JoLynn Foster to fill the vacant seat left by Bob Juden, who had 1.5 years left in his term, and Christopher Swan was picked to fill the the vacant seat left by Jill Long, who had 3.5 years left in her term.
Juden and Long abruptly announced their departures in April.
Swan and Foster were picked from six individuals who had submitted letters of interest to fill the two vacancies.
Swan and Foster will serve the remainder of the vacated terms and could then stand for election. Foster has four years of previous experience on the board and served as board chair in 2018, while Swan is currently the Engineering Director for GE Aviation-Strother.
The list of trustee candidates that took part in a candidate forum on July 13 include, Dr. Steve Abrams, Michael Bergagnini, Richard Rush, Dennis K. Shurtz, Foster and Swan.
“I think we had six good candidates for the position,” Board Chair Dr. Harold W. Arnett said.
Last week, it was announced another board member, Nancy Burger resigned. Her vacancy has yet to be filled.
CARES Act, Building Purchases
As part of the Federal government’s response to COVID-19, colleges were awarded funds under the CARES Act.
Cowley College was awarded $603,357 to distribute to students for expenses related to the disruption of their education.
The College will receive a matching award of $603,357 once the students receive their funds. The matching award can reimburse expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.
Cowley College was also awarded additional funds under the CARES Act for Strengthening Institutions for $59,405 to defray institutional expenses. Also, the purchase contract for the Bloomenshine Building in Mulvane is finalized and signed by USD 263 Superintendent Dr. Ensley.
The college is now waiting for the title company to complete the legal purchase of the building. The Tiger Deli received a $5,000 check from Blue Cross & Blue Shield for the Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Implementation Grant.
The board also approved the purchase of the Carnegie Library building in Ark City following an executive session.
The terms set forth by Roger and Diane Sparks are contingent on the approval of the contract by board attorney David Andreas.
