FRIENDS OF MUSIC: Ed & Gwen Cole

FRIENDS OF MUSIC
Ed & Gwen Cole

Known as the "godparents" of the School of Music, Ed and Gwen Cole have profoundly touched the hearts and lives of numerous music students over the years. One of the earliest Cole Scholars, Yvonne Gonzales, who received the award in 1987 and later was winner of a 1991 Metropolitan Opera First Place award, quickly proved that to receive the Cole Scholarship one must be very special; for it is given to the person considered to be the top freshman music major entering each year. And so it is that a list of the Cole Scholars reads very much like a Who's Who in the School of Music over the past decade.

Interestingly, neither of the Coles ever attended SFA. Moving to Nacogdoches about twenty years ago, however, they quickly became involved in church and civic activities. Soon they established a fund to support students in the School of Music, a fund that is now known as the Ed & Gwen Cole Scholarship Endowment.

The Coles' involvement with music students at SFA goes far beyond just the awarding of scholarships. Ed & Gwen love to keep in touch with the students who have received one of their awards. They believe one of the greatest joys coming from their contributions is the pride they take in following the progress and successes of "their" students. "We have a personal satisfaction in knowing that we've had a part in their accomplishments," said Mrs. Cole.

Ed and Gwen have also been instrumental in developing the Orchestra of the Pines as a regional symphony for the East Texas area. Offering a challenge grant several years ago to stimulate community assistance for the ensemble, the Coles have seen the Orchestra grow and prosper into one of the success stories of the University.

But their interest in the School of Music doesn't end there. Ed and Gwen are "hands-on" people, working in every active way possible to assist the Friends of Music organization in bringing additional support for music students and for numerous programs within the School of Music. In fact, Ed and Gwen are charter members of the Friends of Music Board of Directors and have remained active on the Board since its inception.

It must be noted that the Coles' great love, devotion, and generosity for SFA extends far beyond the School of Music; they have also established an endowment for the Ladyjack basketball program, been very active in the Ladyjack and Lumberjack Booster Clubs, and were the originators of the award for the Outstanding Ladyjack of the cross-country team.

Ed was born in Homer, LA., but was raised in the Longview area. Gwen was born in Arkansas, but spent her childhood in Shreveport. They were introduced in 1964 in Shreveport by Ed's aunt and were married on Valentine's Day in 1966. They lived in New Orleans before making their home in Nacogdoches in 1978. "We made this our home," said Mrs. Cole. "Our interest lies in what we feel makes it a better community for us and for those who live here after us."

There are not enough words to express our love and appreciation for this very special couple. And thus it is with love, appreciation, and the pride of our students, faculty, administration, regents and the entire Nacogdoches community that in 1998 SFA officially dedicated the new concert hall as the Ed & Gwen Cole Concert Hall.

Department of Music
Stephen F. Austin State University
Box 13043, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3043
Phone: 936-468-4602 | Fax: 936-468-5810
Dr. Ron Anderson, Chair
Roni Lias, Webmaster