Cowley College Names Colton Brown the 2025 Student of the Year

Cowley sophomore and Criminal Justice major Colton Brown has been named Cowley College’s 2024-2025 Student of the Year. Already honored as the December Student of the Month, Brown’s consistent leadership, strong work ethic, and dedication to his field have set him apart as a standout member of the Cowley community.

Hailing from Coffeyville, Kansas, Brown graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School and chose Cowley for its highly respected Criminal Justice program. “I knew I wanted to go into law enforcement, and Cowley was by far the best place for me to go,” he said. That decision has paid off—Colton is now wrapping up his time at Cowley with a 3.4 GPA, real-world experience in his chosen field, and a job offer from the Coffeyville Police Department, where he plans to begin working after graduation.

During his time at Cowley, Brown has held two key student employment positions, serving as a Resident Assistant in Kimmel Dorm and as a Student Assistant for the Director of Criminal Justice, Frank Owens. Outside of those roles, he serves as a Lieutenant in Cowley’s Student Patrol program, dedicating hours each week to helping maintain campus safety and assisting with criminal justice recruiting efforts across the region.

Though not formally involved in campus clubs, Colton’s impact on the college community is undeniable. His professionalism and drive have earned the respect of peers, faculty, and staff alike. Reflecting on the award, Colton shared, “It’s an honor to receive this award, it means the world to me to be able to represent Cowley College and Cowley Criminal Justice this way.”

With his eyes on a future in law enforcement and a heart committed to serving others, Colton Brown exemplifies the values and spirit of Cowley College.

Award Recipients:

• • Ambassadors: Aleeyah Winegarner, Amanie Owdetallah, Anna Sade, Ashlyn Thomison, Benji Macias, Brianna Lee, Briella Lujan, Grace Henderson, Hadley O’Toole, Hayleigh Waggoner, Jada Wilhoite, Jenna Trujillo, Jessi Ritchhart, Karlie Irwin, Macye McDonald, Petrona De La Crus, Wyatt Stone.
  • Collegiate Quiz Bowl: Ian Aggson and Jillian Stickel
  • Resident Assistants: Andre Ecker, Anna Sade, Colton Brown, Isabella Urbaneto, Jessi Ritchhart, Kollin Gretencord, Mark Specht, RJ Hanna, Savannah Fischer, Victor Morfin, Wyatt Stone.
  • Student Senate: Aleeyah Winegarner, Hadley O’Toole, Jada Wilhoite, Lauren Howerton, Wyatt Stone.
  • TLC Tutors: Andre Ecker, Brianna Lee, Britain Dark, Cole Batten, Dacey Morris, Ian Aggson, Kelley Lowe, Noah Leis, Syra Stucky.
  • Derek Burroughs Award: Kros Madry
  • Natural Science & Math Department: Kelley Lowe
  • Business and Social Sciences Department: Dagen Geier and Brexten Janda
  • Health and Human Services Department: Colton Brown
  • Career & Tech Education Department: Wyatt Harader
  • Humanities & Communication Department: Jackie Cantu
  • Visual and Performing Arts Department: Karime Cazares-Castillo
  • ACES: Grace Valenzuela and Kishan Nayee
  • Act One Drama Club: Kaycee Schulte and Hannah Brean
  • Art and Design Club: Emma Stone, Grace Malanchuk, Larry Marczynski
  • Cowley Bands: Joseph Elledge and Tia Christie
  • Creative Claws: Jackie Cantu
  • Cru: Aaliyah Owens-Fox and Haley Wyckoff
  • DECA: Trey Thiel
  • Gaming Club: Antwone Edwards and Patrick Burgess-Clark
  • Hope Squad: Natalie Castro-Velzo
  • Math and Science Club: Faith Teeter
  • Media Club: Dillion Miller and Tynell French
  • Phi Theta Kappa: Ashlyn Thomison and Trey Thiel
  • Vocal Music: Adam Monroe
  • Voices Heard: Cole Batten and Larry Marczynski
  • Student of the Month Recipients: September- Jessi Ritchhart October- Riley Perdue November- Kelley Lowe December- Colton Brown January- Cole Batten February- Briana Lee March- Hadley O’Toole April- Ashlyn Thomison

Hunter Ferguson | Integrated Communications Specialist
Cowley College
125 S. 2nd Street
Arkansas City, KS 67005
hunter.ferguson@cowley.edu