E-News - December 2025

Save the date for Homecoming 2026 – October 1-3

Coe’s Alumni Engagement Office is excited to announce that Homecoming 2026 will take place October 1-3, and will include a milestone celebration of the college’s 175th anniversary. This special weekend will honor Coe’s rich history, traditions and the generations of Kohawks who have shaped the campus community. Alumni, students, families and friends are invited to commemorate 175 years of academic excellence, community and Kohawk pride. Gather your group and plan your trip back to campus! Registration will open this summer.

2026 Reunion Committees
Our 25th and 40th reunions are celebrated as three-year clusters, bringing together classmates from neighboring years to connect, while the 50th reunion is celebrated as a single class milestone. Committee members help shape the celebration by offering input on events, outreach and ways to make the weekend meaningful for your class cluster. It’s a fun and easy way to reconnect with classmates and help bring fellow Kohawks back to campus. We encourage you to reach out if you are interested in joining your class reunion committee:

• 25th Class Reunion (Classes of 2000, 2001 and 2002) - contact Mégan Valenta at mavalenta@coe.edu
• 40th Class Reunion (Classes of 1985, 1986 and 1987) - contact Debbie Green at dgreen@coe.edu
• 50th Class Reunion (Class of 1976) - contact Claire Tupper Sagers '18 at ctupper@coe.edu

Visit the Homecoming Page

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January alumni athletics events

XCTF Alumni Meet — 1/10/2026
Dust off your spikes and reconnect with fellow Kohawks at the 2026 alumni cross country and track & field meet! You’ll have the chance to mingle with current student-athletes and jump into a lineup of friendly (and fun) competition.

Register for the XCTF Alumni Meet

Meet Schedule:
3:00 PM – Shot Put & Long Jump
3:30 PM – 60m Dash
4:00 PM – Ben Mourer '13 Mile
4:20 PM – 200m
4:40 PM – Alana Littleton Memorial 60m Kids Dash (age 6 and under)
4:50 PM – 200m Kids Dash (age 7+) — add a parent for a 2×200m child-parent relay
Medals provided for all youth participants
5:00 PM – Thank yous & group photo
5:30 PM – 4×400m Relay

After the meet, continue the fun at The Pines restaurant for a casual social hosted by Coe alum Jeff Beer '86.

Alumni Basketball Games — 1/31/2026
Hit the court, reconnect with teammates and enjoy a full day of Kohawk basketball. Each registration includes an alumni basketball game t-shirt.

Register for the 2026 Alumni Basketball Games

Event Schedule:
10:00 AM – Women’s alumnae game, Kohawk Arena (photo at 9:50 AM)
11:30 AM – Men’s alumni game, Kohawk Arena (photo at 11:20 AM)
2:00 PM – Coe vs Nebraska Wesleyan Women’s Basketball game
4:00 PM – Coe vs Nebraska Wesleyan Men’s Basketball game

After the varsity matchups, join men's basketball coach John Payan, women's basketball coach Kayla Waskow '13 and fellow alumni at Home Port for drinks and appetizers.

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Coe President David Hayes '93 is coming to a city near you!

President David Hayes '93 will be traveling across the country in 2026 to connect with Kohawks, and he hopes to see you at one of these upcoming events.

January 29 - Des Moines, Iowa
February 20 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa
March 5 - Dallas, Texas
May 20 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
May 21 - Chicago, Illinois
June 9 - Denver, Colorado
June 11 - Washington D.C.
July 9 - Twin Cities, Minnesota

Stay tuned for more information regarding President Hayes’ stop near you. If you have recently moved or have a partial-year address, be sure to update your information on Coe Connect. Reach out to Records & Information Specialist Denise Easton '91 (deaston@coe.edu) with questions on updating your information.

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Strukel selected to Division III National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

Coe College men's cross country and track & field student-athlete Carson Strukel '27 will represent the Kohawks as the American Rivers Conference's National Representative to the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

 

"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent the American Rivers Conference with my upcoming time on the NCAA Division III SAAC," said Strukel. "Being a DIII student-athlete is a special privilege, and I am honored to be able to represent the needs of our student-athletes of our member institutions and the conference at a national level. I'm more than excited to be able to advocate for SAAC's mission of fostering a positive experience for all student-athletes and to continue to protect the student-athlete experience."

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) represents the Division III student-athlete voice in the Division III governance structure by reviewing legislation; identifying significant student-athlete issues; implementing national student-athlete-based initiatives; encouraging community outreach and enhancing Division III student-athlete involvement in and understanding of Division III in general. The SAAC is also the committee that is primarily responsible for maintaining and coordinating the division's nationwide partnership with the Special Olympics. Strukel’s appointment will begin on January 18, 2026. Read more.

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Fall Fireside Chats recap

With Fireside Chats, Kohawks get a first-hand look at what it takes to be successful, what skills and traits are valued in the workplace and how to maximize their Coe education to be the best job candidate possible. This series comes out of the Creativity and Innovation component of C3, which strives to provide opportunities for students to practice their problem-solving skills in creative and collaborative environments from the classroom to the community.

This term's visiting industry leaders were Whitney Hu '13, Director of Civic Engagement and Research at Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH) and Political Director for CUFFH Action; General Hank Taylor '75, Chairperson of Coe's Board of Trustees; and Curtis Stochl '13 and Emily Weber Stochl '13, co-owners of Cafe Allez in Cedar Rapids. Presenters shared their unique perspectives in their fields and how they’ve turned their passions into purpose, continuing to bring their Coe experience to life.

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Thankful Thursday 2025: Weaving a Stronger Coe

This year’s Thankful Thursday beautifully illustrated how every act of generosity helps strengthen the bonds that hold our Kohawk Community together.

With participation from 26 states, we met our 100 gift goal, raising $59,648.10. Each contribution added another thread to the vibrant tapestry that makes Coe extraordinary, underscoring the unwavering support that drives our pursuit of excellence. Your commitment ensures students thrive and keeps our community connected in deeply meaningful ways.

Thank you for helping us forge something stronger, together. Learn more.

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Get hyped for winter athletics

The Kohawks are bringing the heat this winter! Watch the winter teams' hype video and cheer them on. Visit https://kohawkathletics.com/ to stay up-to-date on all things Coe athletics.

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Coe's Fall Courier is out now!

Coe College is excited to share the digital version of the Fall 2025 edition of the Courier. You will also receive a printed copy in the mail.

This issue includes the following articles:
- President's Letter
- Coe's aviation origin story
- Go online with Coe Online
- Scenes from Homecoming
- Bremner Award winners
- Get hyped for women's wrestling
- Meet this year's Clark Merit Scholars
- Review the college's strategic framework
- The Coe College Class of 2029
- Annual Report
- Rankings updates
- Class Notes

Read Now

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President David Hayes '93 appointed to the Governor's STEM Advisory Council

Coe College President David Hayes '93 has been appointed to the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council. The group has been assembled to invigorate the Pre-K-12 talent pipeline toward STEM careers.

Across the state, Coe’s STEM programs carry a reputation for innovation both in research and education. Hayes will bring the STEM education knowledge and connections built at Coe with him into his advisory role.

"I’m fortunate to have worked with brilliant educators and researchers, and have proudly worked on expansion of our academic offerings in the STEM realm," Hayes said.

In the past five years, Coe has dedicated the David and Janice McInally Center for Health & Society, a one-of-kind academic center to complement Coe’s MedQuarter location; and launched new programs in data science, engineering physics and aviation management & flight operations. Read more.

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Nominate an outstanding Kohawk for an Alumni Award!

Do you know a Coe alum or friend of the college who is “making it happen?” Someone who…

• Excels in their professional field.
• Gives back to Coe through student engagement, alumni events and/or financial support.
• Volunteers in their community.

Each year, the Coe College Alumni Association proudly bestows the Alumni Award of Merit, Distinguished Service Award and Young Alum Award to exceptional alumni and friends of the college. If you know someone who deserves an award, or if you would like to nominate yourself, simply click on the corresponding link below.

Alumni Award of Merit Nomination Form

Distinguished Service Award Nomination Form

Young Alum Award Nomination Form

Nominations must be submitted by January 31, 2026.

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