Sunday guest editorial: Cowley College campus will meet those workforce needs
by Dr. Dennis Rittle, President of Cowley College — It’s official. We’re on the ballot!
With the recent approval by the County Commissioners of submitted ballot language, Sumner County voters will soon get to cast their vote in favor of a Cowley College campus located in Wellington.
Dr. Dennis Rittle
The need is here. In a recent survey of area students, 86 percent of respondents said they wanted to continue their education close to home. Moreover, 70 percent of adult learners indicated they desire additional training and would take college courses if available in the county.
Since Cowley College began instruction in 1922, we’ve adapted our offerings in a variety of ways to continue to meet the emergent needs of a changing workplace. There’s no question, especially in Sumner County, of the need for a workforce skilled in agricultural, manufacturing, public safety, information technology, teaching, and other vocational trades.
The Cowley College campus in Sumner County will meet those workforce needs. Our goal is to provide area students with the opportunity to advance their education and acquire good-paying jobs close to home.
But we can’t do it without your help.
Your partnership on this important community initiative is needed. To this end, we’re asking you to “Vote YES†on the college campus ballot question. A YES vote will commit revenue from a half-cent sales tax increase for ten years. The investment from your sales tax contributions will enable the construction of an approximately ten-acre Cowley College campus for vocational training and general education instruction for students of all ages.
We know it’s a big ask, but please be assured, the numbers work. Sumner County can support a community college campus.
Cowley College has long wanted to extend our programming in a permanent way to the region because Sumner County students and employers have been asking for this kind of long-term solution to education and workforce needs. We’re ready to build here!
In exchange for the community’s contribution of $12 million dollars, Cowley College in Sumner County will net $90.49 million dollars in economic activity, 3,000 additional program graduates, and 2,040 new residents. We take seriously our commitment to this campus development and will be firmly rooted in the community.
It’s our hope Sumner County residents will seize the opportunity to bring a college campus to the county so every person desiring to advance their education can do so in a convenient and affordable location.
Together we can elevate the quality of life in Sumner County and increase the earning power of all residents through advanced education and workforce development. Let’s make this happen. Vote YES on Nov. 8!
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Dr. Dennis Rittle is President of Cowley College. For more information, visit www.SumnerCountyCampus.com or e-mail sumnercountycampus@gmail.com or call 620-931-7161.
