Review of "A Coe College Memoir," by Joseph E. McCabe

Review of

A Coe College Memoir, by Joseph E. McCabe

Four out of five stars

This book was written by a former president of Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In terms of content, it is very typical of what successful presidents of small colleges would experience. What made this book different and interesting to me is that I have lived in the Cedar Rapids area all my life and took a few classes at Coe as part of a cooperative agreement with Mount Mercy.

 McCabe was the President of Coe College from 1958 to 1970 and then served as Chancellor. While much of what he says in describing what happened at Coe during his tenure is unique, yet routine, there was one extreme point of honesty. McCabe is open in describing the responsibilities of being a member of the board of trustees, specifically the expectation that board members contribute a great deal of cash to the school. It is not often when the president of a college is so honest about how significant money is raised.

 There are no great moments of energy and excitement, this is a just a recitation of twelve years of success, as Coe expanded and increased in stature in the community and academic world.