Friends gather in honor of Eloise Cofer
Mementos of the life of Dr. Eloise Cofer were displayed at the November event.
(Photo by Daniel Kim)
(Photo by Daniel Kim)
Approximately 150 family and friends of the late Eloise Cofer gathered at the Jane S. McKimmon Center Nov. 12 to honor the former assistant director-in-charge of home economics for what was then the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service.
Cofer died in August 2003, leaving a legacy of service and philanthropy. She retired in 1980 at the end of an eventful 35-year career, the last 17 years of which were spent at N.C. State University with what is now the Cooperative Extension Service.
The McKimmon Center was a fitting site for the luncheon, which was titled "Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Eloise Cofer." It was at Cofer's suggestion that Extension Homemaker Clubs across the state donated $100,000 to begin construction of McKimmon Center. The event focused on the diverse interests that occupied Cofer's life and was coordinated by a volunteer committee that included many of her Extension colleagues as well as friends from clubs and organizations that were near and dear to her.
Her gifts to N.C. State included contributions to the Family and Community Issues Forum that bears her name. In addition, soon after retiring, Cofer established a permanent $100,000 endowment that supports the N.C. State Libraries, the Arts N.C. State program, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Foundation and the JC Raulston Arboretum at N.C. State. Her will created an endowment for 4-H scholarships.
Susan Nutter, vice provost and director of N.C. State Libraries, and Dr. Robert Lyons, JC Raulston distinguished professor and director of the arboretum, were on hand to honor Cofer, as was Alexander Miller, associate vice chancellor and director of the University Scholars Program, who represented Arts N.C. State. Dr. Carlton Blalock, director emeritus of the Cooperative Extension Service, and Ada Dalla-Pozza, retired Extension state home economics leader, also reflected on Cofer's service to North Carolina.
Cofer was a member and supporter of Raleigh's Christ Episcopal Church and its outreach efforts, and the Rev. Nancy Allison, associate pastor of the church and longtime friend, gave the invocation.
Dr. Jon Ort, associate dean and Extension director, and Dr. Carolyn Dunn, associate state program leader and nutrition specialist, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, talked of Cofer's contributions to the university and Extension programs. Dunn spoke on behalf of Dr. Sandy Zaslow, state program leader and head, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, who was unable to attend.
Connie Sherrill, a pianist and family and consumer sciences agent in Edgecombe County, played a song titled "Open Our Eyes," while Samantha Allen-Brown, a 4-H vocalist, sang a song titled "I Hope You Dance." Carolyn Register, associate professor emeritus, Adult and Community College Education, who was hired by Cofer, introduced Samantha. Cofer's close friend, Jessie Cannon, played many of Cofer's favorite songs on her harp during the reception prior to the lunch. At the reception, guests followed along a lifeline display of Cofer's interests and accomplishments.
Jan Christensen, retired publications editor, Department of Communication Services, presided over the event, which also featured a multimedia presentation produced by Mark Dearmon, media production specialist in the Department of Communication Services.
- Dave Caldwell
Cofer died in August 2003, leaving a legacy of service and philanthropy. She retired in 1980 at the end of an eventful 35-year career, the last 17 years of which were spent at N.C. State University with what is now the Cooperative Extension Service.
The McKimmon Center was a fitting site for the luncheon, which was titled "Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Eloise Cofer." It was at Cofer's suggestion that Extension Homemaker Clubs across the state donated $100,000 to begin construction of McKimmon Center. The event focused on the diverse interests that occupied Cofer's life and was coordinated by a volunteer committee that included many of her Extension colleagues as well as friends from clubs and organizations that were near and dear to her.
Her gifts to N.C. State included contributions to the Family and Community Issues Forum that bears her name. In addition, soon after retiring, Cofer established a permanent $100,000 endowment that supports the N.C. State Libraries, the Arts N.C. State program, the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Foundation and the JC Raulston Arboretum at N.C. State. Her will created an endowment for 4-H scholarships.
Susan Nutter, vice provost and director of N.C. State Libraries, and Dr. Robert Lyons, JC Raulston distinguished professor and director of the arboretum, were on hand to honor Cofer, as was Alexander Miller, associate vice chancellor and director of the University Scholars Program, who represented Arts N.C. State. Dr. Carlton Blalock, director emeritus of the Cooperative Extension Service, and Ada Dalla-Pozza, retired Extension state home economics leader, also reflected on Cofer's service to North Carolina.
Cofer was a member and supporter of Raleigh's Christ Episcopal Church and its outreach efforts, and the Rev. Nancy Allison, associate pastor of the church and longtime friend, gave the invocation.
Dr. Jon Ort, associate dean and Extension director, and Dr. Carolyn Dunn, associate state program leader and nutrition specialist, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, talked of Cofer's contributions to the university and Extension programs. Dunn spoke on behalf of Dr. Sandy Zaslow, state program leader and head, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, who was unable to attend.
Connie Sherrill, a pianist and family and consumer sciences agent in Edgecombe County, played a song titled "Open Our Eyes," while Samantha Allen-Brown, a 4-H vocalist, sang a song titled "I Hope You Dance." Carolyn Register, associate professor emeritus, Adult and Community College Education, who was hired by Cofer, introduced Samantha. Cofer's close friend, Jessie Cannon, played many of Cofer's favorite songs on her harp during the reception prior to the lunch. At the reception, guests followed along a lifeline display of Cofer's interests and accomplishments.
Jan Christensen, retired publications editor, Department of Communication Services, presided over the event, which also featured a multimedia presentation produced by Mark Dearmon, media production specialist in the Department of Communication Services.
- Dave Caldwell