Mary I. Cole

Dr. Mary I. Cole was a longtime fixture at WKU. Mary was born on February 22, 1904. While on the Hill, she taught elementary education from 1931-1969. She was a member of the education faculty and an active sponsor of the WKU Student National Education Association (SNEA) for many years. She supported SNEA even after her passing on March 12, 1988, dedicating SNEA to receive the largest percentage of her gift to WKU through her will.

Through her will bequest, she also established the Mary I. Cole Graduate Scholarship Fund and the Dr. Mary I. Cole Endowed Fund for Western’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball Programs. Through these funds, Mary’s legacy lives on in perpetuity.