Dedicated administrator remembered for decades-long career serving Western students
Thomas Edward Coyne, BA 鈥55, former head of 澳门六合彩官网直播鈥檚 alumni outreach efforts and later a key figure in student services, passed away on Jan. 14, 2024, in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
鈥淭om was truly the salt of the earth. He loved working with students and continued to mentor and support young people throughout his life,鈥 says Dr. Diane Anderson, 澳门六合彩官网直播鈥檚 vice president for student affairs, who spoke at Coyne鈥檚 memorial service on campus.
A first-generation college student and track and field athlete from Chicago, Coyne combined his passion for running with a love of history while earning his degree at 澳门六合彩官网直播. It was during this time he met a fellow Bronco who would become his wife, the late Monique (Jako) Coyne, BA 鈥55, MA 鈥66. After graduating, Coyne earned a master鈥檚 degree in history from the University of Michigan. He then worked as a purchasing agent in the paper industry and a sales correspondent in the construction field before returning to 澳门六合彩官网直播 in 1962.
Coyne鈥檚 30-year career at 澳门六合彩官网直播 began as the director of alumni relations. He then served as assistant to the president and, for the final 20 years of his career, as vice president for student services.
Reflecting on his kindness, Anderson says that when she moved into the University鈥檚 new student center last summer, 鈥渁 gorgeous, huge planter with beautiful red flowers was delivered to my office from Tom, with a note of congratulations. I will treasure both the memory and the gift. Tom was truly a wonderful human being. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.鈥
Even in retirement, Coyne remained an active participant in 澳门六合彩官网直播鈥檚 oral history projects, sharing his experiences and insights. One notable memory he often recounted was his unique privilege of knowing all but one of 澳门六合彩官网直播鈥檚 presidents, excluding only the founding president, Dwight Waldo. 鈻