E-News - September 8, 2023

The Coe College Class of 2027 completed New Student Orientation before the first day of classes, and from all accounts, it looks like they had a fantastic time getting acclimated to Coe.

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September 12 is the last chance to register for Homecoming

Over 300 Kohawks have already reserved their place to attend Homecoming on September 22-24, and we want you to join them! Register today to reconnect with classmates and faculty, celebrate traditions and make new memories. The full schedule includes details about this year’s reunions including new reunions for music and Washington D.C. Term alumni, your favorite events like Brat ‘n’ Beverage and much more. Fight on, you Kohawks!

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Coe to honor four Kohawks with Alumni Awards at Homecoming

Every year during Homecoming weekend, Coe’s Alumni Council recognizes exceptional alumni and friends who have made significant contributions to their professions, the college and their communities. This year, the college is recognizing four alumni for their accomplishments.

Kari Oldfield-Tabbert ’10 has spent the last five years of her professional career with the Local Public Health Association of Minnesota as executive director, providing organizational management, strategic development, relationship building, member engagement and legislative advocacy. Belonging to the de Beaumont 40 Under 40 in Public Health list in 2021, Kari has already left an impact on her communities in the early years of her career and is will be recognized with Coe’s Young Alum Award at Homecoming.

Clint Stevenson ’73 has three decades of experience as an investor and effective team manager, building effective investment strategies and delivering competitive returns for retirement plan, thrift plan, endowment and foundation investments. Outside of his work as investment director for the California Public Employees Retirement System, Clint has served on the boards of many non-profit organizations and is even a member of the 50th Reunion Committee for the Class of 1973’s golden reunion this fall. His classmates will be able to celebrate Clint’s reception of the Alumni Award of Merit, along with reminiscing about their time at Coe.

Harold Robinson ’68 has lived an impressive life of service as a Rabbi and Rear Admiral in the United States Navy, fulfilling a variety of reserve and active-duty leadership positions during his service. Harold was awarded the honorary degrees of Doctor of Divinity from Hebrew Union College in 1999 and Doctor of Humane Letters from our very own Coe College in 2005, and Coe is proud to add the Distinguished Service Award to his extensive list of accolades.

Steve Kennedy ’78 has been a career-long public educator, passionate about supporting and improving education. He has left an enduring legacy in the Denver, Colorado area, serving their schools and school districts as a teacher, social worker, principal, special education director and professor. Besides establishing several scholarships at Coe, Steve served on Coe’s Alumni Council for over a decade, as well as the Board of Trustees. Coe is pleased to recognize him with the Distinguished Service Award.

If you know of someone deserving of next year’s awards, the Alumni Council is looking for your nominations! Submit nominees for consideration by January 1, 2024. You can also learn more about each award, its criteria and past recipients. 

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Coe College is top ten nationally and best in Iowa for accessible professors and career services

Coe College is top ten in the nation — and the only college or university ranked in Iowa — for Most Accessible Professors (No. 7 nationally) and Best Career Services (No. 8 nationally). The rankings were announced by The Princeton Review as part of the publication’s annual review of the best colleges and universities across the country. Once again, Coe is recommended as one of the “Best 389 Colleges and Universities” by The Princeton Review.

This is the second consecutive year the college has been ranked for accessible professors and career services, and made significant gains in each category, jumping 13 spots in the Most Accessible Professors category and nine spots in the Best Career Services category. 
Coe outpaced state and private universities in these categories, including Ivy Leagues as well as larger institutions like the Iowa regent universities.

Coe is also the No. 12 best private college for internships in the nation and also the only college in Iowa recognized in the internship category, which was announced in the spring. This is the sixth consecutive year Coe has been ranked among the nation’s top 25 best schools for internships.

“We want our students to know they can expect the best in both academic instruction and career preparation. The core of our mission is to prepare each Kohawk for a meaningful life and fulfilling career, and these recognitions are an indication that our dedication to our students is leading to those desired outcomes,” said Provost & Dean of the Faculty Angela Ziskowski. 

“These rankings are also proof that Coe has some of the finest faculty and staff in higher education. Their ability to provide purposeful guidance for our students is unparalleled,” Ziskowski added. “The link between these rankings is the individual attention each student receives in the classroom from their professors and outside the classroom from professional staff.”

Inclusion in the “Best 389 Colleges” guide puts Coe in the top 15% of the 2,637 four-year colleges and universities in America that were surveyed. Coe’s placement and subsequent rankings are based on ratings and data collected directly from students. Responses from students lauded Coe’s academics and resources, as well as its passionate and responsive faculty.

Nearly 100% of reporting graduates find employment, attend graduate school or engage in a service opportunity within nine months of graduation, consistently for more than a decade.

“Providing students with advanced career preparation and connections to alumni, businesses and other organizations is a critical part of fulfilling Coe's mission. The diversity of experience students get from C3: Creativity, Careers, Community allows them to apply what they learn to real situations, and Kohawks embrace this approach which is why they’re so well prepared and sought after post graduation. Our unique position in Cedar Rapids and extensive partnerships with area employers allows us to provide unparalleled career connections and opportunities for our students and helps attract and retain top-level talent to the area,” said Vice President of Advancement Chantel Olufsen.

Beyond the Best 389 Colleges and top rankings for accessible professors, career services and internships, The Princeton Review also continues to recognize Coe as a Best Midwestern and Best Value college.

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Alumni are invited to take part in International Club’s 50th Annual Culture Show

International Club, known on campus as I-Club, is thrilled to celebrate 50 years of the Culture Show this October. In honor of the event’s 50th anniversary, I-Club is extending an invitation to Kohawks in the alumni community.

“Culture Show is not just an event; it’s a celebration of diversity, a showcase of talent and a platform for fostering cultural appreciation. This 50th Anniversary Culture Show will be grander than ever before,” said I-Club President Thanh Tran ’24. “Supporting the Culture Show is not just about preserving tradition; it’s about ensuring future generations can experience the magic of cultural exchange. Join us in celebrating 50 years of cultural richness and connection!”

Mark your calendars for 7 p.m. on October 28 to take part in the Culture Show. This significant event will be available for alumni to attend in person or to livestream online. More information will be shared via email and social media with the alumni community in advance of the event, so stay tuned!

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Coe Connect: Check out the Alumni Business Directory

Earlier this summer, alumni were invited to join the Kohawk community on Coe Connect, Coe’s new online platform specifically for alumni. What you may not know is everything that Coe Connect has to offer. The Alumni Business Directory is a new portion of the site showcasing the entrepreneurial side of our alumni community by featuring Kohawk-owned businesses. Within the directory, you can learn more about each business—and even some discounts available to alumni. If your alumni-owned business is not listed, you can fill out a form with your information.

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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.

This Sunday, September 10, wraps up annual sorority recruitment, and alumni are invited to attend in-person or livestream running of the stairs on Coe's Panhellenic Instagram, @coepanhel.

Kohawks run in the family! You and your high school student are invited to a special visit opportunity during Homecoming on Friday, September 22. This visit is exclusive for students whose siblings, parents or grandparents graduated from Coe. Learn more here.