E-News - June 15, 2023
Leave an impact by making your gift by June 30
It’s June and midsummer and while it’s a bit quieter on campus, there is still hustle and bustle behind the scenes. We have been helping Charlie close out this fiscal year and get revved up for fall! It won’t be too long before students return and we welcome a new group of first-year students on move-in day.
We wanted to take this time to say thank you to everyone who invested in Coe and the Annual Fund this year. We can’t say enough that the meaningful work we do for our students only happens with your support. We are thankful for our alumni who create a thriving alumni network that contributes to a wide array of opportunities for our students.
If you are reading this and think it’s too late to make a gift for this year, it’s not! You still have time to give and have a direct impact on work being done to better serve Coe. If you want to renew or it’s been awhile since your last investment, you have until June 30 to get in on the action. It’s so easy! You can visit our page and make your gift within minutes. Charlie thanks you. Our students thank you. We thank you.
Softball postseason run takes Kohawks to the 2023 DIII National Championship
Late May set the Coe College softball team on the path to compete in the NCAA Championships in Marshall, Texas, with a championship-series sweep over University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. The team defeated the Warhawks 13-4 in game one before earning a 3-2 decision in the winner-take-all championship matchup. This win against the Warhawks started Coe on a postseason run with a regional title. Coe not only advanced to the NCAA Super Regionals for the first time in school history, but also earned its first regional title since 2009, when the Kohawks made an appearance at the Division III Softball College World Series.
The NCAA Super Regional round on May 26 and 27 was hosted at none other than Coe’s very own Clark Field, and the Kohawks battled it out against the Hiram College Terriers in a best-of-three series with the winner advancing to the NCAA Championships in Marshall, Texas. Coe earned the seventh overall seed in the eight-team championship field, being grouped with no. 2 Linfield University, no. 3 Trine University and no. 6 Rowan University.
The Kohawks began play at the championships on June 1 and took on no. 2 Linfield in their opening game at Taylor Field on the campus of East Texas Baptist, picking up a 3-0 victory in the tournament opener. Pitcher Ellie Thurow ’23 allowed just two hits in the win and marked the fifth-straight game in which she did not allow an earned run. In the team’s second game, the Kohawks combined numerous excellent defensive plays with timely hits in a 2-1 victory over no. 6 Rowan, advancing to the pod championship series.
The 2023 NCAA DIII National Championships came to a close for the Kohawks after suffering defeat to the third-seeded Trine Thunder in their June 3 game and if-necessary game which was postponed to June 5 due to inclement weather. With the loss, Coe ended the season with a mark of 39-11, registering the fourth-most single-season wins in program history. This has been recognized as one of the best seasons in Coe College softball history. Head Coach Jake Koolbeck and Assistant Coaches Ashlee Rush ’12, Natalie Blank ’22, Madi Miller ’19 and Kevin King were named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) DIII Region IX Staff of the Year in June, a first-time honor for Coe’s softball team.
For more in-depth recaps of the softball season, and all things sports, visit Kohawk Athletics.
Coe nursing professor earns national distinguished service award
The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) named Sharon Guthrie as the recipient of the organization’s 2023 Distinguished Service Award. Guthrie is an associate professor of nursing at Coe.
Guthrie is the sole recipient of the nationwide award, which recognizes an organization or individual who has continually supported or uniquely contributed to NASN, school nursing or school health services nationally in at least the last five years.
To earn this recognition, NASN cited Guthrie’s support of school nurses, schools and community collaboration in the Iowa School Nurse Organization (ISNO); assisting with the facilitation of the University of Iowa College of Nursing New School Nurse Orientation; service on the NASN Research Advisory Committee and presentations at the NASN conference.
Guthrie’s involvement in school nursing began in 1999 at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids. She compared being a school nurse with managing a mini health clinic in an educational setting and quickly learned that school nursing is an “autonomous, unpredictable practice that requires a broad knowledge base, quick thinking, creativity, excellent communication skills and advocacy.” Guthrie left Xavier in 2007 and continued her ISNO leadership roles, currently serving as the ISNO executive director.
“[Sharon is] a true champion for enhanced student health and school nursing,” said NASN President Linda Mendonça in a letter announcing Guthrie’s selection.
“We are all proud of Sharon — this recognition is well-deserved and indicative of her dedication to the nursing profession and the passion she brings into the classroom to inspire her students,” Coe College Provost Angela Ziskowski said.
A celebration of NASN awardees, termed the Lily Awards, is planned for late June at the organization’s annual conference in Orlando, Florida.
“I am honored beyond words to be recognized by the National Association of School Nurses with the Distinguished Service Award,” Guthrie said.
Through ISNO leadership roles, Guthrie has connected with school nurses across the state, country and world — learning about the variations in school nursing practices, the consistent everyday challenges and how to utilize her advocacy skills for school nurses everywhere. She notes there are only two states that require a school nurse in each school, every day. Iowa is not one of those states.
“My recognition stems from the efforts and support of many others who also believe we need to give all students access to a licensed registered school nurse every day, all day, in every school,” Guthrie said. “Students have physical and mental health that are not left at the door when they enter a school. Students who have access to a school nurse every day, all day, in every school are more prepared and ready to learn than students who have health needs that go unrecognized and unmet.”
Guthrie noted she is grateful for the support and encouragement she has received from her children, parents, friends, colleagues, mentors and supervisors during her journey in school nursing.
The Coe College nursing program integrates individual mentorship from professors like Guthrie, and also provides an unheard of three full terms of 1-1 clinical experiences. Those experiences often occur in the two Top 25 teaching hospitals within walking distance of Coe’s campus. Coe nursing graduates continue to pass the NCLEX exam at rates higher than the national average.
Kohawk Stories: Emani Brinkman '21
Alum Emani Brinkman '21 can trace her success and her path to finding her passion back to the time she spent at Coe, from her student experiences and relationships forged to opportunities seized.
Like golf? And supporting a good cause?
The 41st Annual Coe Athletic Golf Outing and Fundraiser is back and will be held at Hunters Ridge Golf Course on July 20. Now is the time to gather your friends and sign up your foursome! The Athletic Golf Outing and Fundraiser has been providing significant support to Coe athletics for over four decades. The money raised from this event through both our golfers and our sponsors is used throughout the athletics department to provide various services for Kohawk student-athletes.
Each year’s generous sponsors showcase the dedication of Kohawk alumni, friends and community partners to invest in Coe athletics. Longtime supporter Ryan Turner Specialty is once again a major sponsor for the event, with two of its principals as Kohawk baseball alumni: Jonathan Reiner ’09 and Patrick Richmond ’10.
“When presented with the opportunity to support Coe College and their athletics department, it was a no brainer for us. We are thrilled to support Coe College and participate in the Athletic Golf Outing and Fundraiser,” said Dylan Hast, previous member of the Coe athletics staff and project advisor for major sponsor Recon Roofing & Construction.
“I feel Coe has been an integral part of not only my success but the success of my company. It’s truly a pleasure to be able to support Coe College in a variety of ways, including the Athletic Golf Outing,” said Kurt Tjelmeland ’84, president and CEO of celebration sponsor T&K Roofing.
There are still spots available to golf and to be a sponsor. You can sign up today or reach out to Annual Fund Director Rachel Cohen with questions. Visit the 41st Annual Coe Athletic Golf Outing and Fundraiser sponsorship page to learn more about all of this year’s sponsors.
Coe Night at the Kernels
For all those who are fans of baseball, Coe is spending a night at the Kernels, and we want you to join us! Join fellow Kohawks as they cheer on the Kernels against the Peoria Chiefs on Saturday, July 22. This night will be filled with baseball, unlimited food and drink and fireworks after the end of the game. Gates open at 5:30pm, and the first pitch is at 6:35pm. Space is limited! Be sure to sign up to reserve your spot by July 20. Children under five are free.
We hope to see you on the RAGBRAI route
It's the 50th year of the Register’s Annual Great Bike Race Across Iowa (RAGBRAI), and Coe College will be on the route! If you’re riding on July 28, be sure to look for Coe in the mid-day town of Marengo for a pit stop. Not only are all Coe alumni, family and friends invited to stop and see us at the Coe tent, July 28 is also College Jersey Day, so be sure to wear your Coe College bike jersey from the Kohawk Shop. There will be water, snacks and a spot to rest with Kohawks, as well as get your hands on some Coe swag. The tent will be set up from 10am-2pm in Marengo. We hope to see you on the route!
Deals at the Kohawk Shop
It's always a good day to show your pride in being a Kohawk! Show off your summertime Kohawk swag or get ready for the upcoming academic year by shopping deals at the Kohawk Shop online. Select items are already marked down, and the store will be welcoming new items starting July 11.