E-News - December 7, 2023

Thank you for being part of Giving Tuesday!

Thank you for supporting Coe College this Giving Tuesday! Because of your generosity, we raised over $70,000 for the Annual Fund. A special thanks goes out to our challenge leaders Gene ’68 and Glenda Sullivan Henderson ’75, and Jonathan L. ’09 and Abby Reiner, who allowed each donor’s gift to go even further for Coe. Your gift directly supports students on campus, and you play a key role in their lives and experience. Your generosity is a testament to their hard work and talent. On behalf of all of us at Coe, thank you!

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Amber Shaw appointed Goldwater Scholarship Mentor for Coe College

For Coe College students undertaking the process of applying to a rigorous national fellowship program, Associate Professor of English & National Fellowship Advisor Amber Shaw is always there. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she works one-on-one with students to create the strongest possible application for the prestigious fellowships they’re pursuing. Coe has a history of national fellowship winners, and over the past seven years, Shaw has helped Coe students become Fulbright Scholars, Truman Scholars, Goldwater Scholars and Gilman recipients. 

Recently, Shaw was selected by the Goldwater Foundation to participate in its inaugural mentoring program designed to cultivate an active pipeline of STEM students for the Goldwater Scholarship. A highly regarded scholarship for students who intend to pursue research careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics, the Goldwater will continue to attract well-qualified candidates among Coe’s incredibly talented STEM students. Coe students’ high qualifications are evident — since 1985, 100% of chemistry and physics majors accepted to grad school have earned full scholarships or stipends from their graduate institution to attend. Coe is also one of just a few small colleges hosting a National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program, which creates a wealth of qualified, research-oriented undergraduates to apply for the Goldwater Scholarship. 

Shaw will be placed within a small group of other campus representatives, primarily from small liberal arts colleges like Coe, to be mentored by an experienced campus representative who now serves on the Goldwater selection committee. Shaw can then take what she learns in mentoring sessions and apply it towards helping potential applicants from Coe develop their strongest applications, with the ultimate goal of creating a healthy stream of candidates pursuing the Goldwater Scholarship. 

“Cultivating a more robust Goldwater application pool on campus will give more students the opportunity to learn about, apply for and win this fellowship, which includes a scholarship and important networking opportunities for graduate school,” says Shaw. “The Goldwater is the most prestigious undergraduate fellowship in the sciences, and more awardees will raise Coe's profile and reputation by extension.”

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Calling all Wilderness Field Station alumni

We want to hear your stories! Coe has sent students to Minnesota to learn at the Wilderness Field Station since 1961, and it has been an important part of the college experience for generations of Kohawks. The Office of Alumni Engagement is collecting memories and photos of alumni experiences at the Wilderness Field Station over the years, so take some time to share your recollections. If you want your memories to be part of an upcoming Courier article highlighting the Field Station, make sure your submission is in by January 15, 2024. 

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Winter alumni athletic events

Kohawks still fly fast and fly fierce as alumni. January brings three opportunities for former student-athletes to compete in their favorite sport once more.

January 13, 2024, is the day for track & field alumni to dust off their cleats and take to the track once more. Learn more and reserve your spot for the third annual alumni track meet.

Tennis fans will love the chance to compete in the first tennis alumni match on January 20. If you have questions or want to come watch any of the action, reach out to Men’s Head Coach Eric Rodgers.

On January 27, Coe basketball is once again hosting their alumni game. For more information and to sign up for some hoops, check out the event details.

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’Tis the season for giving

It’s hard to believe that another year is coming to an end! As we reflect on 2023 and anticipate 2024, we cannot help but celebrate all that our students have accomplished this year and eagerly anticipate what’s to come next year. Would you consider making a gift to Coe to help ensure our students are positioned for success? Your gift to the Annual Fund is critical. Please remember your year-end gift made by December 31 is tax-deductible as allowed by law. While the college is on break from December 22 to January 2, 2024, the Advancement team will be monitoring gifts@coe.edu to attend to any year-end donations.

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The perfect Kohawk present

Are you or your loved ones in need of some Kohawk spirit this winter? The Kohawk Shop is the best place to find an ever-changing assortment of Coe apparel, decor and more, all year round. To make sure you're ready for the holidays, place your order by 3 p.m. Central time on December 15.

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Check out the Fall Courier

The most recent edition of the Courier is here! Physical copies arrived in mailboxes in late November, and the online issue is available to be read at any time. This issue contains a recap of Homecoming — including a new alumni tradition — student successes, updates about campus, the 2022-2023 Annual Report and much more. The Courier is published three times a year and is one of the best sources for information for alumni, friends and parents of current students. The next issue of the Courier will be in spring 2024.

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Upcoming & Virtual Events

There are always ways for the Coe alumni community to be involved with Coe and events on campus. You can stream music events and athletic home games from wherever you are, and stay up-to-date on the Coe calendar to find other interesting and exciting events.

December 20 and 21: Women’s Basketball Games in Santa Cruz, California — Kohawk spirit is heading out west, so save the date to support women’s basketball in-person or online! Coe’s women’s basketball team is one of a small number of teams invited to participate in the University of California - Santa Cruz December Classic tournament over the break.

February 17: Coe Night at the Roughriders — Join fellow Kohawks for a fun night of hockey and conversation, and even the chance to ride on a Zamboni. Register now before tickets run out.