The College of Staten Island’s Teacher Education Honors Academy recently celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Jane Coffee, holding a memorial in her honor in April where it was announced that scholarships in her name will be instituted beginning this fall at the College.

Held at CSI’s Green Dolphin Lounge with a reception following at the Park Café, CSI paid tribute to Dr. Coffee, who founded the Teacher Education Honors Academy (TEHA) at the College in 2006.

Carlo Lancellotti, current TEHA Interim Director, along with CSI Interim President Dr. Timothy G. Lynch, Interim Dean of Science and Technology Ralf Peetz, and Donna Gerstle, Director of the Center for Environmental Science, began the memorial event by discussing Dr. Coffee’s 16 years of tireless work within the TEHA, empowering a new generation of exceptional teachers from CSI who inspire enthusiasm for mathematics and science in middle and high school students. Alongside building and supporting cohorts of outstanding students, Dr. Coffee helped build pipelines to internships in NYC public schools, scholarships, and job placement as teachers of mathematics and science.

John “Jack” Coffee and Megan Coffee, Dr. Coffee’s husband and daughter, also shared stories and greetings at the event, where it was announced that scholarships bearing Dr. Coffee’s name would be instituted at CSI beginning this fall. A giving page to contribute to the scholarship has been established.

Many faculty and staff from across the campus paid tribute to Dr. Coffee, and the scholarship fund has already raised more than $12K of its intended $25K target. TEHA student Mikayla Clark, along with TEHA alumni Margaret O’Malley-Rebovich and James Falcone were also in attendance, commenting on the inspiration Dr. Coffee was and the lasting mark she has made on their lives.

The scholarships that will be awarded in Dr. Coffee’s name will aid students with paying tuition, buying textbooks, and meeting other financial demands during their undergraduate work so they can focus on their training.

For more information and to contribute to the fund, please visit the Campaign Webpage.

For more information on the Teacher Education Honors Academy, visit their Webpage.