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 Born on a farm near Marion, Stephen W.
Stookey graduated from Marion High School and attended Cornell College
for two years, alternating studies with teaching in rural schools.
He
was all set to transfer to the University of Iowa for his last two
years of school, But the SUnday before he left for Iowa City, he
attended church where he heard a sermon by Dr. Stephen Phelps,
president of Coe College.
Stephen
Stookey was so impressed with President Phelps that he transferred to
Coe to finish his degree and teach in the Coe Preparatory School. In
those days, graduates made their own commencement addresses. So, in
1884 when Stookey received his bachelor of science degree and again in
1887 when he received his master's degree from Coe, Stookey and the
other member of his class, Miss E. Belle Stewart, were the only
speakers.
In
36 years at Coe, Stephen Stookey served as head of the Coe Academy,
financial secretary, dean of the college, and acting president. In
addition, he helped organize the department of education. The versatile
professor was also called upon to teach Latin, German, biological
science, botany and geology. He retired from active teaching in 1933 as
professor emeritus of geology.
Dr.
Stookey's contributions to the college are numerous. It was under his
direction in 1899 that one of the first college campaigns for endowment
was successfully completed with the raising of 35 thousand dollars.
Stookey also drafted the original application to Andrew Carnegie for
money to build the science hall.
He
is also credited with an important role in the hiring of three of the
colleges most prominent faculty members... George W. Bryant, Charles T.
Hickok and Bert Herald Bailey, and in enlisting the support of Mrs.
Elizabeth Voorhees in building the women's residence hall.
In
36 years of active service, Dr. Stephen W. Stookey and three succeeding
generations of his family have played a major part in shaping the
growth and future of Coe College.
See
also
Interim President Stephen W. Stookey
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