Vollweider retires after 25 years
Issue 14 - 04.13.06

BY SARAH DONNELLY
Staff Writer

After 25 years of teaching, Chris Vollweider is completing her last semester at Cowley College. Vollweider started teaching at Cowley in March of 1981 as an assistant for basic skills classes. Since then her workload has increased greatly.

Vollweider is currently the instructor/director of adult education and study skills programs and teaches developmental classes that include Becoming a Master Student, Rapid Reading, and College Reading. She is also the Director of the APE program, a sponsor for the International Student Organization, and an academic adviser for over 30 students. Vollweider has also served on or chaired many committees and developed numerous curriculums.

Vollweider’s official last day will be May 31, but she will use May through June as a transition period.

“It is hard to believe I have been here for 25 years,” she said. “It has gone by so fast.”

Vollweider has many plans, but mostly she hopes to relax and enjoy life. She looks forward to having no worries, reports, or deadlines.

“It has been great working at Cowley and I still plan to attend activities like games and plays,” she said. “My heart will still be with Cowley College.”

Vollweider has received the Teaching Excellence Award, Master Presenter, Advisor of the Year, and Quality Leadership Award. Along with these she has also received many awards from chairing and serving on various committees.

Vollweider’s advice to her colleagues is to continue believing in your students and to be there for them when they need you.

When asked, Vollweider said the thing she will miss the most about teaching is getting to know students and becoming a part of their lives. “Cowley has been my life for a long time and I have loved every minute of it,” she said.