Edward G. Coll, Jr.

Edward G Coll Jr., 12th president of Alfred University, passed away Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Gainesville, Georgia, at the age of 88. He served as president at Alfred University for 19 years, from 1982-2000. Under his leadership, the landscape of the University changed dramatically, both in terms of physical facilities and academic offerings.

During his presidency, Alfred University became the only institution in the United States and only the third in the world to offer a doctoral degree in glass science; implemented new graduate degree programs in a variety of areas, including master's degrees in business administration, biomedical materials engineering science and integrated electronic arts; and launched new undergraduate programs in fields such as molecular cell biology and management information systems.

The oldest classroom building on campus, Kanakadea Hall, underwent a complete renovation in 2000-2001 and was renamed the Edward G. Coll Jr. and Carole Hulse Coll Center at Kanakadea.

On a national level, Ed was long involved in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), serving as vice chair of the President's Commission, 1988-91; vice president for Division III, 1994-96; a member of the executive committee, 1994-96; and a member of the NCAA Council, 1993-97. He was one of four officers charged with restructuring the organization in 1995-96. He was also very involved with the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), a national organization of professionals in the development field. He served as chair of the CASE Board of Trustees, as district director, and as a national director from 1981-82 and again from 1989-93.

Edward came to Alfred University in 1982 from the University of Miami, where he had served as vice president for development since 1973. A Pittsburgh-area native, he received his bachelor's degree in philosophy from Duquesne University, which later awarded him an honorary doctorate. He was also named a Fulbright Fellow, studying at Warwick University in Coventry, England. In 2000, Ed was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Alfred University.

Ed is survived by his wife, Carole Lee Hulse Coll—who was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Alfred University in 1999; his children: son and daughter-in law, Tom and Leigh Coll; daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Frank Mendenhall; son Peter Coll; daughter and son-in-law Karen and Randy Jones; and daughter Kelly VanNort; his grandchildren: Kevin Coll; Jake, Kiira, and Conner Mendenhall; Cody and Emily Jones; and Alaina, Chloe, and Edward VanNort; Danielle O’Brien; Samantha Ferazzoli; his 14 great-grandchildren; and his brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Cathy Coll.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Park South Funeral Home in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Visitation is Monday, December 19, from 1-2 p.m., with a service following at 2 p.m., in the Memorial Park South Chapel, 4121 Falcon Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia.