On Friday, August 16, Cowley College proudly celebrated the opening of its new Tyler Technical Education Center with a notable event attended by distinguished guests and community supporters. The ceremony, which began at 3 p.m., marked a significant milestone for the institution and highlighted the culmination of efforts to improve technical education in South Central Kansas.
Dr. Michelle Schoon, President of Cowley College, opened the event with a warm welcome to the many distinguished attendees, including Robert and Gwen Tyler, Kansas State Representatives, members of the Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR), Technical Education Authority (TEA), Board of Trustees (BOT), and representatives from the City Council, Chamber of Commerce and Visit Ark City.
Construction of the Tyler Technical Education Center was funded by the Cowley Foundation, which raised $4 million, in addition to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant received by Cowley College, and other generous contributions, including from Robert and Gwen Tyler, the Robert and Gwen Tyler Charitable Foundation, and the Sutherland Foundation.
Robert Tyler, founder of Husky Liners and Tyler Technical Education Center’s largest donor, said, “Our commitment to the Tech Center was our financial contribution and our belief in the importance of providing a skilled workforce to businesses in the community. The facility provides students with an active learning environment where they can learn trades that will have a lasting impact on their lives. The education they receive there prepares them for successful careers in their chosen fields.”
Dr. Kori Gregg, President of the Cowley Foundations, thanked the donors, saying, “Without your generous support, we would not be standing in front of this state-of-the-art facility today. To our donors, you believed in the power of education and you believed in Cowley College, and we are so grateful for your contributions. Thank you for partnering with us to create a better future for our students.”
Senator Larry Alley emphasized the importance of the new facility, noting, “This facility will be a tool that Cowley College can use to train new workers for the jobs that are available there. Timing was crucial in this project. It all worked out and we are glad it did.”
Keith Humphrey, President and CEO of Jet AirWerks, expressed his appreciation for the center, stating, “I would not have been able to start my business in any other part of the country. I am confident of that. The new Tyler Technical Education Center at Cowley College is a leader in South Central Kansas and as a local small business owner, I am truly grateful for it.”
To celebrate Cowley College’s 100th anniversary, a time capsule was dedicated during the event. This capsule, created in partnership with the Cowley College Foundation, contains a collection of Cowley items from the anniversary year and will be displayed on the wall of the entrance to the Tyler Technical Education Center. The inscription on the time capsule reads: “To honor and preserve the legacy of Cowley College’s 100th anniversary, it will be dedicated on August 16, 2024 and opened by a future generation of Cowley Tigers.”
Following the time capsule dedication, an official ribbon cutting ceremony for the Tyler Technical Education Center was held. Guests enjoyed refreshments and toured the new facility during an open house showcasing the state-of-the-art resources and learning environments now available to students in the cosmetology, criminal justice, construction trades and welding programs currently in session there.
The evening concluded with a dinner to thank the donors. Cowley College expressed its sincere gratitude for the support and dedication of those who made the Tyler Technical Education Center possible.
Cowley College looks forward to the positive impact this new center will have on its students and community, continuing its mission to provide exceptional technical education and training.
Final fundraising efforts for Tyler Technical Education Center are ongoing, with 60/40 tax credits available. For more information, visit the Have An Impact page of the Cowley Foundation website.
Hunter Ferguson | Specialist for integrated communication
Cowley College
125 p. 2. Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
[email protected]
