E-News - November 5, 2019

Homecoming 2019: Game On!

Alumni, friends and community members returned to campus for a memorable Homecoming weekend filled with reunions, activities and classic arcade games. Outstanding Kohawks were honored with awards and Hall of Fame inductions, and the Class of 1969 celebrated their golden reunion.

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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”? Tell us about them!

Award candidates are alumni and friends who:
 
- Excel in their professional field.
- Give back to Coe through student engagement, alumni events and/or financial support.
- Volunteer in their community.

Each year, the Coe College Alumni Council proudly presents 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. Nominations must be submitted by January 1, 2020.

Alumni Award of Merit
Distinguished Service Award
Young Alum Award

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Goehring named executive director and CEO of California Historical Society

Alicia Naylor Goehring ’81 recently made a big move from Madison, Wisconsin, to San Francisco, California, to take on a new adventure.

Goehring stepped into her role with the California Historical Society at the end of August. She will provide direction for a variety of initiatives including rotating exhibitions and public programming, the North Baker Research Library and the California Historical Society collections and “Teaching California,” a collaborative K-12 online educational project with the state of California. Goehring is looking forward to exploring California and its history along with her husband, Jerry Goehring ’81.

Goehring previously spent over 20 years with the Wisconsin Historical Society in several leadership roles. She oversaw numerous programs including the state history museum, multicultural outreach, teacher education, underwater archaeology and special projects.

To read more about Goehring’s new role and her interest in history, click here.

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Student Story: Angel Ramirez

Before visiting Coe as a high school student from Mission Viejo, California, Angel Ramirez wasn’t sure it would be the place for her. But after seeing campus and talking to faculty and staff, she realized how much Coe had to offer — and like many students, her dream of being a Kohawk was made possible through generous scholarship support.

Now a sophomore majoring in political science and social and criminal justice with a minor in religion, Ramirez is taking full advantage of the Coe experience. She is involved in several campus organizations, including Multicultural Fusion and Black Self-Educated Organization (BSEO), and is also the vice president of CoeVotes, a new club dedicated to getting students registered to vote and more involved in political events for all parties. She also has a work-study job in the Office of Community and Civic Engagement.

For Ramirez, what truly makes Coe special are the personal relationships she has developed. She has received guidance from many faculty and staff members including her advisor, Assistant Professor Drew Westberg, who helped her adjust to life as a college student. Assistant Professor Neal McNabb sparked her interest in studying social and criminal justice and Adjunct Instructor Shawn Harmsen helped her connect with local political organizations. Ramirez also has found mentors in Director of Community and Civic Engagement Kara Trebil-Smith and Career Specialist Joe Demarest, both of whom have given her advice and support beyond her academic life. Demarest even invited her to spend Thanksgiving with him and his family last year when she was not able to return home. “The people and community here at Coe are phenomenal,” Ramirez said. “I would not be where I am now without them.”

Ramirez also is impressed with Coe’s strong community ties within the Cedar Rapids area. “I am able to do unimaginable things because of Coe’s connections. Coe makes it a point to connect every student to their dreams and drive them there,” she said. With the help of C3: Creativity, Careers, Community, Ramirez was able to complete a summer internship with the Linn County Board of Supervisors. Through the experience, she learned more about working in government and was able to meet and network with political campaign staff and volunteers. She now works for West Wind Education Policy Inc., a company specializing in policy analysis, systemic equity leadership and knowledge-building for educational policies.

After graduation, Ramirez’s dream is to work in government and enact progressive change that helps people. She plans to start out at the local level, with a long-term goal of serving in the U.S. Congress.

Ramirez is deeply grateful for the scholarships she receives that make Coe possible for her. “If it wasn’t for the scholarships, I wouldn’t be able to attend,” she said. To help Ramirez and many other students achieve their dreams at Coe, click here to make a gift.

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Save the Date: Giving Tuesday is December 3!

Whether you give your time through volunteering, make a financial gift or use the power of your voice in your local community, #GivingTuesday is a day to unite, celebrate and give back.

Coe is proud to participate in #GivingTuesday again this year. On December 3, we ask you to support the college and ensure students of all backgrounds are able to achieve a Coe education.

We would love to feature you on social media — click here to share your story and the impact you make on your community.

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Clark Merit Scholars honored in October

The 2019-20 Clark Merit Scholars were recognized last month at the Board of Trustees meeting. The five award recipients were selected this past spring and received a prize equal to one year’s tuition.

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17th annual Playground of Science brings community to Coe

Local students of all ages levitated objects, launched pumpkins with a trebuchet, made ice cream with liquid nitrogen and much more at the 17th annual Coe Playground of Science night on October 24.

Faculty and students from the physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, nursing, psychology and ROTC departments provided demonstrations and facilitated hands-on opportunities to show how much fun science can be. Hundreds of students participated in the Playground of Science, which is one of the largest community events held annually on the Coe campus.

Scientific demonstrations included producing snow and creating dragon’s breath using methanol/salts in flame. In addition, students played with numbers, observed incredibly strong magnets, watched Mentos make a spray fountain out of Diet Pepsi, learned about the math of bubbles and observed molten glass poured at nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit from a crucible. Students also looked at models of the heart and eyes to learn about the human body and saw how chemistry allows for the creation of useful substances.

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Kent Herron invites alumni to Aspen

Doc Herron encourages alumni to join him March 15-19, 2020, for a grand reunion of a half century of Coe College skiing in Aspen! Doc has been skiing with his students in Aspen since 1972. He is excited about the opportunity to see all of them once more and celebrate old times as well as create some new memories. And he’d like to do it while he still can ski.

Details and registration will be available soon at alumni.coe.edu/events.

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World War II alumni stories sought for Courier

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, the Spring/Summer 2020 issues of the Courier will feature stories of Coe alumni who served in the war. Alumni veterans of World War II or their family members are encouraged to share their stories to be reviewed and edited for possible inclusion in the Courier. Please submit stories and photos (if applicable) via email to courier@coe.edu or mail to:

Coe College Advancement Office 
Attn: Courier Submissions 
1220 1st Ave. NE 
Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404

The deadline for submissions is January 10, 2020.

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Upcoming Alumni Events

November 13 — Sip & Socialize Fall 2019 — Join us for what has become one of Coe's greatest networking events! Come have fun meeting and networking with alumni, students and faculty. Light appetizers will be provided, and a cash bar will be available for attendees.

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