Endowed scholarship to recognize Kitty Coffey’s decades of contributions

^{Dr. Kitty Coffey retired this year after 42 years of teaching in the Carson-Newman University Family and Consumer Sciences Department. The University is working to establish an endowed scholarship in her honor.}

(July 2, 2019) JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. — Few could leave such a proud legacy on an institution like that of Dr. Kitty Coffey’s on Carson-Newman University. In honor of those contributions, an anonymous donor has provided $20,000 toward the establishment of the “Dr. Kitty R. Coffey Scholarship for Family and Consumer Sciences.”

Coffey retired this year after 53 years in higher education, including 42 within C-N’s Family and Consumer Sciences Department.

During her 39 years as chair of the department, Coffey lead in the establishment of an advisory board, the fundraising to build Blye-Poteat Hall and the Child Development Laboratory, the earning of two national accreditations, and the inception and directing of the didactic program in nutrition and dietetics.

While a minimum of $30,000 is required to endow a scholarship, Vice President for Advancement Scott Faulkenberry is hopeful FCS graduates and stakeholders who are interested in honoring Coffey’s legacy will help the University hit a $100,000 goal to solidify the scholarship’s future impact.

“Thanks to the generosity of this anonymous donor, we are well on our way to establishing this endowment in honor of Dr. Kitty Coffey,” Faulkenberry said. “To properly reflect Dr. Coffey’s untiring efforts and leadership, and to secure the scholarship for generations of FCS students to come, we would like to exceed the minimum amount required for an endowment.”

FCS faculty will award the scholarship annually to a student who is financially and academically qualified.

“Anytime someone in Family and Consumer Sciences hears ‘Carson-Newman,’ the first reaction is, ‘Oh, then you know Kitty Coffey!’” said Dr. Heather Whaley, chair of the FCS Department. “For so many people — students, alumni, colleagues — Family and Consumer Sciences is synonymous with our leader of nearly four decades. These scholarships will allow students to fulfill the mission of FCS: to prepare professionals as servant-leaders with abilities to empower individuals, strengthen families and enable communities in a changing and diverse global environment.”

Those interested in making a gift in honor of Coffey may do so online at: community.cn.edu/coffey, or contact the Office of Advancement at 865-471-3459.

Founded in 1851, Carson-Newman is a Christian liberal arts university located in Jefferson City, Tennessee, among the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The University has over 2,500 students and offers 50 undergraduate majors, as well as associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.