PHOENIX RISING HONORS SCHOLARSHIP IN MEMORY OF GERRIE COWDEN

The Phoenix Rising Honors Scholarship in Memory of Gerrie Cowden was established by Honors College alumna, Kelsey Elizabeth Matthews, Founder of Phoenix Rising Coaching & Consulting. Kelsey created this scholarship to help continue the legacy of Honors College staff member, Gerrie Cowden. She aims to provide support and encouragement to students in the Honors College who, like her, have faced hardships and challenges on their path to success. The college student populaton is near and dear to Kelsey's heart, and she desires to one day have similar scholarships established in other departments at UNLV, as well as in colleges and universities across the country. 

College is a crucial time and monumental experience in a young person’s life, one that includes many challenges that all students face— especially honors students. However, for some students, the typical challenges that come with getting a degree are only the tip of the iceberg of struggles that they face every single day… and sometimes, it can feel as though they are stranded out in the middle of the ocean, hanging onto that iceberg for dear life, simply trying to survive.

These years are hard enough for young people as it is, but getting up every single day and continuing to fight through and heal from the unthinkable while also trying to earn a degree takes a special kind of grit, dedication, and courage. The students who are determined to work hard and see this to completion, despite the difficulties they face along the way, deserve to be supported and have their sacrifices honored.

Gerrie Cowden was a ray of sunshine. She was known within the Honors College for her warm smile, great conversations, and love of food. However, even greater than those things, Gerrie truly embodied what it means to be a servant leader, and she lived it every single day. She didn’t just talk the talk– she walked the walk, and she did it her own way. She refused to conform or follow the crowd, and she did what was right, despite what everyone else might have been saying or doing. In addition to her authenticity, honesty, transparency, and integrity, she was incredibly gifted when it came to people. She had an innate ability to inspire, encourage, motivate, and uplift the people who were lucky enough to cross paths with her. She not only saw the best in those around her, but she helped them to see it in themselves, as well. She recognized the value in adding value to others, because she understood that true authority and influence is about people, not power or possessions. 

Gerrie loved all of her students, but she had a special place in her heart for the students that she knew were struggling or going through tough times. She was always there to provide a listening ear or lend a helping hand whenever, and however, she could. Gerrie knew how to spot the potential in these students– no matter how far down it might have been buried– and bring it to the surface so that it could begin to flourish. 

Gerrie made a lasting impact on Kelsey– not just during her time as a Honors College student, but even more so during one of the most difficult times in her life as she  graduated and transitioned into her first job. It was Gerrie who encouraged her to take the leap of faith into starting her business, and who continued to believe in her when it felt like everyone else had thrown in the towel. Gerrie left behind a legacy of love and leadership within the Honors College, and it is one that needs to be preserved, emulated, and carried on at all costs.