2010s

More Cottey!⁵ Our wish was granted in 2011.

2010

Cottey Seeks to Offer Baccalaureate Programs

August: Cottey applies for accreditation to offer Bachelors degrees in Environmental Studies, English, and International Relations and Business.¹ "These programs were selected based on their connection to the mission of the College as well as their appeal to prospective students."¹

New Instructors Hired in Proposed Bachelors Fields

September: Three new faculty members join Cottey in anticipation of the proposed Bachelor programs: Dr. Sylvio Mannel, professor of environmental studies; Dr. Michel Rakotomavo, associate professor of international business; and Dr. Paul Cook, assistant professor in English.²

Architect's rendering of the future Fine Arts Instructional Building, 2010.⁶ Can you spot Neale Hall?

New Fine Arts Building Design Unveiled

The new Fine Arts Instructional Building will be built on the north side of campus between Main Hall and Neale Hall, where Rosemary Hall used to stand. In 2008 Cottey's 20-year-plan called for Neale Hall to be demolished, but they have since decided to incorporate Neale Hall's structure into the new building "to preserve the heritage."⁴ Cottey officials warn that Neale "will look significantly different when work is completed," though.

2011

Higher Learning Commission Visits

January 23-25: The Higher Learning Commission visits Cottey as part of its consideration to give the college accreditation to offer Bachelors programs.¹

Cottey students and professors in Japan, 2011.³

First Trip to Japan

March: For the first time, Cottey seniors have the option of going to Tokyo, Japan for their International Experience. On March 11th, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the Pacific coast of Tōhoku, Japan, triggering a devastating tsunami. Thankfully the 14 Cottey students and 3 professors were 500 miles from the epicenter and returned to the U.S. uninjured.³ Cottey professor Dr. Watanabe was one of the professors there, and described the experience:

In spite of the disaster, students of our Cottey group learned a lot in Japan. Actually, they had a wonderful five-day experience in Japan, that is up until around 3 p.m. on Friday. We were in Sakudaira, Nagano (a mountain area) to visit a factory that makes the solar power system. After we visited there, we had a half hour to stop by a shopping mall in Sakudaira before our train left for Tokyo. When we got close to the building, we experienced the earthquake (the level 4 there). We thought it was a significant earthquake, but we didn’t realize the severity of the event (because it was 500 miles away from the epicenter). When we went back to the station, we were told that the train company wanted to stop the train for a while due to the earthquake. Later, we watched the TV and realized the magnitude of the earthquake in a northern part of Japan. After we waited for three or four hours, the train company (JR) told us that they were going to stop all the trains for the day. We had to look for a hotel to stay on the night. The next day (Saturday), we went back to Tokyo around 8 p.m., and on Sunday, as we planned (all 11 travelers planning to go back to the U.S. on Sunday), we were able to fly back to the United States.³

Cottey Authorized to Offer Bachelors Programs

May 20: The Higher Learning Commission authorizes the college to register current students in the three selected bachelor of arts programs (Environmental Studies, English, and International Relations and Business), which will begin in the fall.⁵ Students in these programs will stay at Cottey for four years instead of two. "Cottey’s programs will incorporate messages of women’s leadership, social responsibility, and global awareness into the core curriculum. Cottey will be the only school in the country to offer programs with a focus on women's leadership."⁵

Sample board for the Hinkhouse renovation, 2011.⁵

Basement of Hinkhouse Renovated

Summer: The ground floor of Hinkhouse, including Chellie Club, is renovated and refurbished using funds from the P.E.O. Foundation. "The Chellie Club will be updated with a coffee house ambiance, more modern decor, and relaxing seating. A highlight of the project will be an electric fireplace! "⁵

Sprinkler Systems Installed

Summer: Sprinklers are installed in the residence halls and the library.

2012

First Trip to Barcelona

March: Cottey seniors' first International Experience trip to Barcelona, Spain.⁴

Softball Field Groundbreaking

March 30: Groundbreaking for a new softball field for the Cottey Comets kicked off Founder's Weekend.⁷ The field's construction is funded by P.E.O. member Dorothy Dyer Vanek, who donated $125,000 for the project. Vanek Family Memorial Field will be ready for action in 2013.⁸

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