12 minute read
A Legacy of Purpose
A
OF PURPOSE
“Wonderful,” Professor James (Jim) Cosgrove ’97 says with a smile as he recounts his many years of service to Culver-Stockton College. After 39 years of teaching, Cosgrove made the decision to retire following the 2021 academic year. His many years of teaching business courses and mentoring students outside of the classroom have helped define “Mr. C” as arguably, one of the most beloved professors on “the Hill.” While Cosgrove will state that he was simply doing his job, the ripple effect on generations of Wildcats throughout his nearly four decades of teaching will leave an indelible mark.
In 1982 Jim picked up the Quincy Herald-Whig and came across three job postings for a small, liberal arts college in Canton, Missouri. Having obtained his law degree from the University of Illinois just a few years prior and deciding he didn’t want to be an attorney, he chose to enter the field of education because family members were teachers. He began teaching at Illinois State, which was unique because he was 25 at the time, and his students were 22. About a year into the role, Professor Cosgrove remembered asking for guidance and direction, “One night I sat down and prayed “God, you have to show me what I’m supposed to do,” and the next morning there was an ad in the Quincy paper.” Jim remembers meeting with John Sperry in the library where he could have fit the bill for any of the three vacancies and ultimately accepted the position to teach accounting and business law, beginning as soon as the following Monday. “I thought I would stay for three years,” Jim remembers, stating that his plan at the time was to find his rhythm as an educator and move onto a “real school- meaning a larger school.” Three years passed, and Professor Cosgrove remained at C-SC. “I like it here; they treat me well,” he said and never felt called to leave the place that defined his professional career.
The legacy that Professor Cosgrove created at CulverStockton was founded both in and out of the classroom. “The second year I was here, I was asked to be a fraternity advisor, and I thought they really liked me,” Jim laughed. He continued, “come to find out, they had asked four other people and figured they could get the new guy to do it!” Some may call it antic, but Jim will tell you that his relationship with Alpha Tau Omega has created some of the most significant relationships during his time on campus. Twenty-five years of serving as the fraternity advisor and Jim recalls his favorite memories took place on Monday nights. He taught an evening course and thought since he was on campus so late, some of the young men may be interested in a Bible study. Every Monday at 9 p.m., Professor Cosgrove would stop by the house to lead the group before heading home for the night. “We didn’t always have a big crowd, about five or six that would show up on a regular basis, but it was really fun,” he said with a smile.
Cosgrove enjoyed his role as ATO advisor because it provided him with different experiences throughout campus. As a faculty advisor for the young men, he often served as a guidepost for the individuals in transitional periods of life. “When students get here, they are independent, but when they
experience tragedy, they need someone to talk to,” Cosgrove said. Seasons of life that require navigation and counsel are where Cosgrove hit his stride. Providing Bibles, which included a list of his favorite forty scriptures, positively impacted individuals for their lifetime. Many students would argue that Bible study was for their benefit, but Jim says it was rewarding for him as well. “We really got to talk about things, and I got to hand out some Bibles,” which was one of his career highlights. Professor Cosgrove was always surprised at how many people didn’t have a Bible, or know how to read it, so providing students with the tool was meaningful to him. He will claim that he never received any formal training to counsel students, but the connections made serve as evidence that leading from his heart was the right choice.
Several milestones have been celebrated since Professor Cosgrove’s first years on “the Hill” but he attributes the reason for staying to be the students, “We put out a good product.” He laughed, “I hate to call the student our product, but it’s true- we shape good students.” Cosgrove shared that he enjoys connecting with alumni who recall a conversation that shifted their perspective, ultimately shaping their journey. “They tell me “do you remember when you told me...” and most of the time I don’t remember that particular conversation but I am glad that whatever I said helped them figure something out,” Jim recounts. The conversations that developed students to professionals are numerous and a reflection of the community that Cosgrove shaped throughout his 39 years at Culver-Stockton College.
Homecoming is a special time for everyone on “the Hill,” but for Jim, he swells with pride when students return as alumni. He said, “they come back and many are married and have kids. They have a job, own a house, and they have turned out to be very responsible adults and I would like to think that I got to be a part of that.” Watching students transition from young men and women to accomplished adults gives Cosgrove a great sense of pride and recognizes that he was instrumental in the process. Whether it was late night Bible study, a listening ear, or a pep talk when life seemed to be tricky, he is thankful to be part of their journey.
With forty years of teaching, Professor Cosgrove understands that relationships and retention go hand in hand. He said that colleges seem to focus on the first-year students but often, sophomore and junior year are more critical for students who need a valued connection. “College is an easy place to get lost but
Pictured left to right: Joe Leake, Larry Loethen, Jim Cosgrove, Tim Fischer, Greg Logsdon, Jason Stratton
At the Senior Reception hosted by Board of Trustees on May 14, 2021, the program changed direction for just a few minutes from celebrating the accomplishments of the senior class to one very distinguished professor who influenced generations of students.
The crowd was quieted as Board of Trustee member Mr. Tim Fischer began to speak on behalf of a group of five men who came together for one distinct purpose – to honor their professor who influenced their careers, their lives, and the one who provided the lessons that they now pass on to those they mentor.
To his surprise, Mr. James Cosgrove was presented with an endowed scholarship by Tim Fischer ’89, Joe Leake ’90, Larry Loethen ’91, Greg Logsdon ’91 and Jason Stratton ’96, MBA ’17. These five extraordinary men were all connected through Mr. Cosgrove’s significance in their lives. “Culver-Stockton is all about the people.” Fischer shared, “It has always been that way, which is why these men made a unanimous decision to create the Jim Cosgrove Endowed Scholarship.”
With tears in his eyes, Mr. Cosgrove hugged each of his five previous students and thanked them personally for their gift to the College. “Because of you, I have never worked a day in my life.” Cosgrove said, “This is where I wanted to be and I hope you all find your career the same way.”
Knowing that Mr. Cosgrove’s influence was experienced by many students throughout his time on “the Hill” it was the desire of the five originators to invite others to join in honoring his legacy through this endowment. Initially created with a value of $135,000, with the participation of others, it has now increased to a value of over $140,000. If you would like to join in honoring Jim Cosgrove by contributing to the Jim Cosgrove Endowed Scholarship, you can do so by visiting the C-SC Unite page at: advancement.culver.edu and selecting the Jim Cosgrove Endowed Scholarship project.
The Jim Cosgrove Endowed Scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis to a deserving Culver-Stockton College student.
everyone needs someone to say “are you sure you really want to do that?” and I have been able to be that person,” Cosgrove said. Creating personalized connections with students is how he has best served the College and has provided direction when individuals need it most. He recognized when students felt lost, homesick, anxious, or even doubted themselves and was able to provide support when they didn’t know who to turn to. Providing encouragement when students were experiencing a bad day was rewarding for Cosgrove. He would encourage the student to, “spend the weekend relaxing, take a break then come back and see me on Monday,” but the student always seemed to work out their problem with his advice. “They needed permission to know that it’s okay to have bad days,” Cosgrove recalled that conversations like those almost always led to students staying in school, graduating, and becoming successful. The connections Jim made with these young men and women and the wisdom he provided withstood the test of time. More so, the encouragement helped shape many students to become prosperous adults today.
“Mr. C found his purpose in life of transforming lives like mine,” Tim Fischer ’89 stated during the Trustee’s Reception, honoring the senior class during graduation week. Cosgrove’s history of shaping young people through both words and actions has been retold through decades of Culver-Stockton alumni. Whether it was tying a young man’s necktie before an interview, connecting them to a future spouse, or “giving out a few Bibles” as he so gently shared, his interactions created a culture of purpose. Fischer will never forget the day that Professor Cosgrove pulled him aside to say “you have proven that you can take tests and get good grades, but are you learning anything?” Challenging people to reflect on their actions and the long-term effects is something that Mr. C does more eloquently than anyone else. The relationships between him and the individuals have expanded to create connections with one another. Time has passed since Jim’s first year as ATO advisor but the students he has impacted continue to stay engaged.
SYNCHRONIZING
THE
When Leslie (Dobyns) Forrester ’07 began her journey at Culver-Stockton College she knew she would be provided a robust liberal arts education that would prepare her for a career in arts administration. What she didn’t realize was that the relationships she made on “the Hill” would be the connector from the classroom to her professional landscape for the rest of her career.
One of the first responsibilities Leslie had as a student was to book hotel rooms and secure a tour bus for the theatre department. At the time, it seemed like such a small thing, but left undone, it could negatively affect the entire department. “I wasn’t just a student- I was part of the team and was given hands-on experience that impacted our group,” Leslie recounted as she shared how the arts department included students in all areas of learning. It’s been 14 years since she earned her undergraduate degree from C-SC and she credits her ability to unify diverse groups to her days on “the Hill” as she serves in her current professional role.
The theories and lessons learned in and out of the classroom have positioned Leslie for success throughout her career and in her current role as the Executive Director of the Arts Council at the Creamery Arts Center in Springfield, Missouri. Field trips, hands-on experiences, and textbook knowledge all worked together to set Leslie on her professional path. As a fine-arts student, Leslie was required to grasp all categories of art, which led to her greater appreciation for the unique craft that is presented by an artist, regardless of form. A spectator can walk through an art gallery or encounter a sculpture piece that is captivating, but to truly appreciate the work behind the final product can only be understood from someone who has attempted such an art form. The coursework at CulverStockton College exposed Leslie to all forms of art and where she lacked passion for singular forms of art, she grew an appreciation for them thanks to the academic requirements. For example, while theatrical art was not a professional route that she wished to pursue, she was able to appreciate stage performance and appreciate the area of fine arts while directing alongside Professor Heaton. “Learning the individual craft taught me an appreciation for all arts,” Leslie stated, as she recalled a sculpture attempt with a pottery wheel which was followed by an opportunity to submit pieces for a student art show. Exposure to diverse art forms connected her with a variety of artists, which led to relationships, built a community, and those networks have remained since her days as a student.
Relationships and the lessons from each connection were the pivotal piece in preparing her for a dynamic world. The professors created a community that students were naturally ingrained into. “We learned how to form relationships,” Leslie said. “The faculty demonstrate relationships, steward people and nurture them, which is a huge part of building a community out in the real world.” Being able to recognize the value of connections and putting those skills into practice has benefited Leslie and the community she serves, especially in a non-profit organization. The hands-on experiences reinforced that individual actions impact everyone in the group. “It’s my responsibility to solve big problems, fill in the gaps, and advocate for the arts community.”
As a legacy student and the daughter of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) ministers, Leslie knew that the connections she developed as an undergrad would benefit her for a lifetime. “The DOC is our family; I was raised with a village mentality that is nurturing and one big group filled with support.” In addition to the friendships she created during her time on campus, Leslie met her husband Phil Forrester ’07, also a fine arts major. The Forresters enjoy returning to their home on “the Hill” with their two daughters to share stories, show them the beautiful campus and “relive generations of history,”according to Leslie.
Culver-Stockton College provided Leslie with an energizing internship experience, which ultimately launched her professional career. She was provided hands-on learning experiences, encompassed by a supportive environment, that provided a dynamic liberal arts education to pave the way for her success. Leslie reminds us that our journeys are “all about networking- it’s the community you build,” which is representative of her path as a Culver-Stockton alumni. A degree in arts management led to an understanding of cultural organizations and an appreciation of diversity in all forms, which is reflected in her current role as the Executive Director at the Springfield Regional Arts Council.
