AU Announces Vivian Barrett Coffman Center for Public Service Endowed Fund

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Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University recently announced the AU Vivian Barrett Coffman Center for Public Service Endowed Fund, thanks to the gifts of John Babb and Bob Coffman. 

“We are very grateful for Bob Coffman and John Babb, who gave to the Vivian Barrett Coffman Center for Public Service Fund,” said Jen Hunt, vice president for advancement. “This fund not only allows us to honor a cherished member of the AU family, but also provides valuable, stimulating experiences for our students that will help shape their paths forward.”

The fund is named in memory of Coffman’s wife and Babb’s friend, Vivian Barrett Coffman. Vivian served as associate director of the Center for Public Service for 17 years before retiring at the end of 2015. Bob had first come to work for Anderson University as a staff member in the Center for Public Service in 1974, and Vivian worked in the Center for Public Service during her student years. It was there that Vivian and Bob first met. Both Vivian and Bob believed deeply in the mission of CPS to provide an enriched and enhanced educational experience for outstanding students with significant career goals in public service.  

The fund is to be used for programs of the Center for Public Service, with the intent to offer expanded opportunities to students, such as financially supporting fellows in the Center for Public Service who are pursuing research projects or internships.

The Center for Public Service prepares students for positions in critical public service areas, building on the traditional strengths of the liberal arts curriculum in general, and the strengths of Anderson University. The goal of the fund is to encourage more students to explore public service as a career option.

Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.