Our Wileyite Spotlight for the month of February shines on Ms. Beryl I. Cowthran, a Shreveport native and a member of the Class of 1998. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology. Beryl went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Cardiopulmonary Sciences from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center –School of Allied Health and a Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech University. In May 2020, she will receive her doctorate of Psychology and Christian Counseling from Louisiana Baptist University, Shreveport, Louisiana.
We asked Beryl her fondest memory of Wiley College and she stated “My fondest memory at Wiley College was Spring 1996 when I was initiated as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Phi Chapter. I remember thinking that the history of great women resides within finally connected with a history of other women desiring to conquer many “firsts”.”
Being both gifted and talented, she has served as an educator, motivational speaker, staff training and leadership development consultant, and a registered respiratory therapist. She is the first African American to work as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer for LSUHSC Shreveport, now Ochsner- LSU. Ms. Cowthran possesses a heart for veterans and she currently serves as the Non-Invasive Cardiology supervisor at Overton Brooks Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
A humanitarian at heart, Beryl is an extender of empathy and compassion. Through mission efforts, she continues to serve those who have been marginalized, poor, and uninformed. She has traveled to Jamaica and Haiti to help meet others at their point of need. However, Beryl believes that today America is one of the world’s largest mission fields and focuses her attention locally.
Beryl is also a fourth-generation preacher/pastor who has served in numerous capacities in the church and September 2012 was installed as Senior Pastor of Praise Temple of Bossier City. August 2017, Beryl became the Founder/Senior Pastor of Grace Hill Church, Shreveport, Louisiana. As a proud member of Delta Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Beryl eagerly served as chairperson of A.S.C.E.N.D. Signature Youth Program and the Health Committee and now serves as chairperson of #CAP (College Admissions Program) Signature Youth Program.
Beryl is the daughter of the late Dr. Athan Cowthran, Jr. and Mrs. Betty L. Cowthran and the youngest of three. Her favorite scripture is Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto Him, that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us”. Her motto is “If you ask BIG, you must think BIG, and God will do even BIGGER things in your life!”