College is an adjustment for every student.
But if a student attends Cowley far away from the place they call home, it can be even more challenging.
In its 13th year, Cowley’s Adopt-a-Player program is designed to include student athletes in all aspects of Cowley life, thus helping them adjust to life away from home.
“Basically, it bridges the gap between the student who doesn’t have a parent or guardian to come to the game,” said Bruce Watson, program coordinator. “We have members of the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff who are foster parents. It’s really been a nice service to the students.”
Cowley has over 150 athletes in the program. This year there are close to 100 families participating in the program. Some families choose more than one athlete. Families are from Arkansas City, Winfield, Newkirk, Okla., Geuda Springs, Dexter and everywhere in between.
“Foster parents should invite athletes into their homes at least once a month, be accessible to the athlete to make them feel comfortable to contact the parents for support, help acclimate the student to the community, and support the athlete by attending their events” Watson said.
With the work load growing, Frank
Arnold, an instructor
in the social science department, and Peg
Williams, an academic
advisor in the PEAKS Program, assist Bruce
Watson in the
program.
No monetary transactions are allowed, Watson said. Also, loans, long distance telephone usage, and free tickets are not permitted in the program.
“The friendships made through this program are priceless,” Watson said. “The program has obvious benefits to the students, but it’s
also rewarding to the foster parents.”
For information regarding the Foster Parent program, you
may contact Bruce Watson at 620-441-5306 or by email at watson@cowley.edu or
Frank Arnold at 620-441-5388 or by email at arnold@cowley.edu.
