Meet the Board

Randi LeGendre Turk, ’68, is a third generation Arizonan and a third generation P.E.O.  Over the years, members of Chapter C, Glendale, included her grandmother, two great aunts, two nieces, her mother, the mothers of her friends, and all of the ladies at church. In 2019, Randi and her mother were honored as 50 and 60 years respectively at the Arizona State Convention.

At Cottey, Randi was in Missouri Suite her first year, then Arkansas her second. She was a member of the Art Club, and served as Emerson President and mighty Emerson field hockey goalie. She is the president who sewed the Ems their first mascot. At Cottey, she formed unbreakable bonds with women who are her dearest friends today.

After Cottey, Randi traveled the world on Word Campus Afloat, now Semester at Sea, then finished her bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in art at the University of New Mexico. She attained her master’s degree in secondary education at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

While in New Mexico, she met and married Tom. They have two children and one grandson, and in retirement they enjoy traveling the world.

Randi taught English, newspaper and student government at Central High School in Phoenix. She served as vice president on the Arizona Interscholastic Press Association Board, and in 2007, she was Central High School’s Teacher of the Year. Over the years, 11 of her students have attended Cottey.

Randi has served as president of Chapter C five times, as well as holding nearly all other offices at least once. She served two terms as Arizona State Cottey chair 30 years ago, and now serves as chair of the Arizona State Cottey board once again. In 2023 she was the chair of the Arizona State P.E.O. Convention, and currently serves on one of the committees for the International P.E.O. convention to be held in Phoenix in 2025. She is also on the Board of Directors for the Glendale Arizona Historical Society.

Zoé L. Albright, ’91, has been involved in diverse aspects of education for over twenty-five years. She received her M.A. from Goldsmiths, University of London; B.S. and B.A. from the University of Idaho; and A.A. from Cottey College. She holds a Ph.D. in Cur­riculum and Instruction from the University of Kansas where her focus was on developmental writers and their identities.

After graduating from the University of Idaho, Zoé returned to Cottey to work as an admissions representative, recruiting new Cottey women from 1995-1997.  During those two years, Zoé explored states all over the US talking to young women about the benefits of a Cottey education.

 Since 2000, she has been a faculty member at Metropolitan Community College–Longview, teaching developmental writing, composition, and literature. In addition to teaching, Zoé has served as co-author of College Writing Skills with Readings 10/e & 11/e and English Skills with Readings 10e and contribut­ing author to other Langan texts, including the Exploring Writing 3/e books and College Writing Skills with Readings 9/e.

Zoé is a second generation P.E.O.  She was inducted in Chapter V, Idaho, when she was a teen and has since transferred to Chapter ME, Missouri where she is still an active member, serving on several committees, including her recurring role as Cottey chair. Zoé currently resides near Kansas City, Missouri, with her family (though her KU college student is only home for holidays).

In 1983, Denise Williams Bishop, ’83, embarked on her post-Cottey journey, following the footsteps of her Cottey bestie to Wichita, Kansas. Little did she know that this move would lead her to a fulfilling career in the world of healthcare, where she made a significant impact over the course of 38 years.

Denise’s journey began as a unit clerk in a hospital, but her dedication and determination soon propelled her to the role of program manager overseeing all hospitals in Kansas. Her career path also took her through the field of behavioral health, where she dedicated numerous years to helping others on their journey to well-being.

In 2021, after nearly four decades of dedicated service in the healthcare sector, Denise made the bold decision to pursue her private practice. Yet, even in her new venture, her heart remained closely connected to her beloved alma mater, Cottey College.

Anyone who enters Denise’s private practice office will quickly notice the charming presence of ducks, which serve as a constant reminder of her cherished memories at Cottey. Her conversations with clients are often enriched with the wisdom and life lessons she gleaned from late-night cramming sessions, impromptu serenades, and the challenges and triumphs of young adulthood in a supportive Cottey community.

Denise’s love for Cottey College goes beyond her memories; it extends to her active involvement with her fellow alumnae. She has served as the class agent for her graduating class for over 40 years, a role she has embraced with joy. This commitment has allowed her to reconnect with her Cottey sisters every five years, a tradition that brings her immense happiness and keeps the Cottey spirit alive in her heart.

Currently, Denise holds the esteemed position of Head Class Agent for all Cottey alumnae, a role that has deepened her connection with her precious alma mater. Through her dedication, she continues to nurture the bonds of sisterhood that were forged during her time at Cottey College.

Denise’s journey from Cottey to her thriving private practice is not just a testament to her professional achievements but also a shining example of the enduring love and gratitude she holds for the institution that helped shape her into the remarkable woman she is today.

Sarah Lull, ’03, is the CCAA Nominations and Awards chair. She attended Cottey from Gunnison, Colorado, a town of less than 100 people at the time, so even coming to Nevada was a bit of a change. Sarah is a legacy Cottey grad; her mother, Lucinda Clauter Lull is a 1975 graduate, so Sarah grew up knowing all about Cottey.

After Cottey, she attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, and majored in history. After that, she attended Loyola University in Chicago, earning a master’s degree in women’s studies as well as a master’s in social work.

Today, Sarah shares her many gifts as the Senior Assistant Dean of Students and the Director of the Victim Advocate Program at Florida State University, in Tallahassee, Florida.

One of her favorite memories at Cottey was serving as an orientation leader and welcoming new students to campus. She is excited about this opportunity to give back to her alma mater.

Mary Beaty Edelen, ’65, graduated from High School and followed her sister, Debra Beaty Blanton ’63 to Cottey.  Their mother was a P.E.O. and was very excited when they both decided to attend.

Following her time at Cottey, she transferred to the University of South Dakota, located in her hometown of Vermillion. While at USD, she majored in history with minors in

government and Spanish. Following graduation from USD, she attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, and received a master’s in history.  She then came back to Vermillion and

taught a history class at USD and taught at Yankton College.

In 1972, she ran for SD State Representative and won election for a two-year term. She

then ran every two years and ended up serving for 18 years. While serving in the legislature, she was appointed by President Reagan to become a member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS) and served a three-year term.

Following her tenure in the Legislature, I became a free-lance writer, and then was

appointed by Governor Janklow to become Director of the State Historical Society

where she served for eight years.

She volunteered with Cottey’s Defining Moment campaign and then was asked to become a

member of the CCAA board.  In 2005, she received Cottey’s Distinguished Alumna Citation.

In addition to serving on the CCAA board, she is also a member of Rotary, the SD Nurses Foundation, the Finance Committee for the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa, and a member of the search committee for the new Conference Minister for SD, IA, and NE United Church of Christ Tri-Conference Ministry.  In 2024, she will begin serving as the President of Chapter E, South Dakota, P.E.O. in Vermillion for the third time.

Mary has been married to Joe for the past 55 years and has been blessed with three children and six grandchildren.