Press Releases
For Details, Contact:
Alka Joshi
Marketing and Community Relations
650-224-7580 cell
408-270-6413 direct
408-238-3179 fax
No Ordinary College President: A Life of Philanthropy, Leadership and Justice
David Wain Coon is no ordinary college president. For one, he had an exciting career in federal law enforcement before going back to school for a masters and doctorate in education. For another, he not only attends every event he can on his campus, Evergreen Valley College, he participates actively, modeling in the Desi Fashion Show, writing a haiku for the 31st EVC Poetry Festival, and welcoming the Carry the Vision: Non-Violence Conference to campus. To top it all off, Dr. Coon's alma mater, Central Washington University, recently named their Center for Excellence in Leadership after him.
The “David Wain Coon Center for Excellence in Leadership” recognizes Dr. Coon's long history of philanthropy, proven leadership and alumnus support. Last fall, when Dr. Coon received the CWU Alumni Association’s Special Achievement Award, he announced the establishment of a special endowment to support leadership development programs for Central students who are historically on the margin of society based on their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, immigration status or disability.
"Supporting the marginalized and underserved has been a driving force in my life," Dr. Coon explained, “It's important to empower, provide a voice, or provide skills to students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to develop their potential."
President Coon was accompanied to Washington by EVC Vice President Kuni Hay and by San José/Evergreen Community College District Chancellor Rosa Pérez, who added, “This action is congruent with his mission at Evergreen Valley College. In all he does, [David] strives to bring the marginalized into core work of the college, honoring their identities and gifts, and committing resources to supporting their success in college and in society.”
A firm believer of student centeredness, equity, and social justice, David Wain Coon has served as a state trustee and regional board member for Children’s Home Society of Washington, as a board member and volunteer counselor for Camp Opportunity, as a board member for the CWU Alumni Association, and as chair of a state-wide citizen’s advisory council on alcoholism and drug addiction. Since moving to San Jose to serve as Evergreen Valley College president, Dr. Coon has been appointed to the board for Asian Americans for Community Involvement in San Jose.
Dr. Coon holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and public relations from Central, a master’s in college student personnel administration from Western Washington University, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Seattle University. His professional career in higher education also includes serving as vice president for student success at Cascadia Community College, Green River Community College executive dean of student services, vice president/dean of student services at the Art Institute of Seattle.
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ABOUT Evergreen Valley College
With student learning as its primary focus, Evergreen Valley College’s mission is to empower students to expand their human potential and to succeed in a global, multicultural society. The College, which sits on a picturesque 175-acre site in the eastern foothills of San Jose, provides access to comprehensive and flexible post-secondary education to prepare students of all ages and backgrounds for balanced and productive lives and to improve the workforce and quality of life in our community.
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Alka Joshi
Director Marketing and Community Relations
Evergreen Valley College
3095 Yerba Buena Road
San Jose, CA 95135-1598
408-270-6413 direct
408-238-3179 fax
alka.joshi@evc.edu