Opening Convocation Welcomes Betsy Cowan as New Dean of Students

On August 21st, Sacred Heart’s traditional opening convocation welcomed a familiar face in a new role- former Assistant Athletic Director and basketball coach Betsy Cowan as the new Dean of Students.This means big changes and new responsibilities for Mrs. Cowan and the rest of the school. The convocation was the first public event for the students and the rest of campus to see Mrs. Cowan in her new position. The Rune had the privilege of getting to talk one-on-one with Mrs. Cowan immediately after the campus wide event.

“It’s been crazy,” said Cowan, “especially working with Coach Moir on the Apple Tournament. But the transition with the girls and faculty and staff has been great-just because I have been here, and it helps knowing a lot of the teachers and athletes”. When previous Dean of Students, Mrs. Theresa Schumann, decided to leave Sacred Heart, Mrs. McCoy and the administrative staff decided to pull from our current staff, confident that whoever they selected would be plenty capable. Having graduated herself from Sacred Heart in 1996, and holding the position of Assistant Athletic Director and basketball coach, Cowan feels confident in her new job, and is ready to take on the challenges that such a big transition has to offer.

The opening convocation was hosted by President of Sacred Heart Schools, Dr. Cynthia Crabtree, and the introduction speech was given by Sacred Heart Academy Principal Mrs. Mary Lee McCoy. In addition, several prayers and beautiful vocal performances were presented by the Sacred Heart Academy Madrigals and the Sacred Heart Preschool. The entire campus also celebrated Sister Anthony Wargel’s 100th birthday by singing “Happy Birthday” to her while she rode a golf cart festooned with balloons and streamers. Sr. Anthony has been an Ursuline nun for 82 years and is a friendly and familiar face around campus. Cowan says the behavior of Sacred Heart girls at the convocation was “excellent” and she humbly credits it running so smoothly to the student council and Dean of Teachers, Ms. Wenzel.

The campus theme, “All Are Welcome” seems to fit in perfectly with Mrs. Cowan’s goals for the school year because Cowan is, “excited to know everybody, not just the athletes, but the performing arts students, and girls who just go to school here.” Cowan hopes to “be visible” this year, and for students to know that their activities are important to her. One new thing she hopes to bring, besides the new discipline code, is an intramural program for students that would like to stay active without the intensity and competition of a school team.

This year, Cowan is in charge of ushering in a new graduated discipline code, as well as other changes in the student handbook. Cowan says learning the handbook will be one of her biggest challenges, since Mrs. Schumann was the one who put it together. Whatever obstacles she may face, Sacred Heart students can look forward to seeing her in the halls each morning and afternoon for the rest of the year and hopefully years to come.