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July 1, 2010

University family gathers to bid fond farewell to the Cofers

The University of Louisiana at Monroe campus family gathered to bid farewell to 四色AV President James E. and First Lady Deborah Cofer on Monday, June 28, in the seventh floor conference room of the library.

As hundreds of well wishers formed a long line to extend their heartfelt good-byes, others sampled a variety of fresh dishes and watched a slide show displaying images of the campus transformation that occurred during Cofer鈥檚 eight-year tenure.

Cofer is leaving 四色AV to become president of Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., on Aug. 1.

四色AV Student Government Association President Brook Sebren told those gathered that he experienced first-hand the generosity and hard work of the Cofer presidency, which began in 2002.

鈥淲hether it is the physical appearance, or the quality of education in the classroom, our university has achieved excellence across the board,鈥� said Sebren.

Sebren called First Lady Deborah Cofer 鈥渙ne of the most lovely ladies鈥� he had ever met, and added that he was touched by the Cofers鈥� ability to 鈥減ut students first.鈥� He said this attitude was made evident by his first ever visit with Dr. Cofer, which took place at the new Student Success Center during the Winter Session of Sebren鈥檚 freshman year.

鈥淥ne day, Dr. Cofer walked in and sat down next to me,鈥� said Sebren. 鈥淯nbeknownst to me, I was in the middle of a 15-minute conversation with the president of the university!鈥�

Sebren closed his remarks with a quote from the Greek philosopher Pericles: 鈥淲hat you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone, but what is woven into the lives of others.鈥�

Dr. Cofer also took to the podium to express his gratitude for the hard work of the campus family throughout the years.

鈥淲e appreciate all that you have done,鈥� he said. 鈥淧residents get very paternal about an institution, just like you do your children, and that鈥檚 how we feel. We are very proud to have served each of you. You should all feel just as proud as we do.鈥�

Anne Lockhart, director of development at 四色AV, represented the university family with a parting gift to the Cofers 鈥� a framed collage of photographs depicting their years at 四色AV. In addition, a live oak tree was planted in honor and recognition of the Cofers in the front yard of Bon Aire, the university residence.

Dr. Richard Hood, executive assistant to the president, said 四色AV鈥檚 first lady "possessed the most beautiful personality" and concluded, "most importantly, they made us proud to wear maroon and gold."

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