Coffin, Kenneth B. (1900-1992)
Date Updated
10-6-2019
Department
Business
Academic Rank
Professor
Year Retired from SJSU
1968
Educational Background
Stanford University, 1946
University of Indiana (Bloomington), 1944 MA
Indiana State University (Terre Haute), 1932 BS
Teaching Experience
San Jose State College/University, 1946-1968
University of Montana (Missoula), summer 1956
University of Idaho (Moscow), summer 1956
St. College of Washington (Pullman), summer 1956
University of Washington (Seattle), summer 1949
Greencastle HS, IN & DePauw Univ. IN, 1945-1946
U.S. Naval Training Center, IN Univ., 1943-1945
New Albany HS, IN & IN Univ. Ext., 1936-1943
Jr/Sr High Schools, IN, 1925-1935
Parke Co. Schools, IN, 1918-1922
Administrative and Professional Experience
PBS Channel 9, San Francisco, CA (weekly‑‑"Shortcuts to Shorthand,"), 1962.
Text Writer, Dewey Shorthand Corp. New York City, NY, summer 1945.
Night Secretary, Engineering Construction Co., Jeffersonville, IN, 1942.
Office Worker, Indiana Highway Dept., 1914‑1918.
Selected Publications
Laboratory Lessons in Gregg Shorthand (2 editions), 1946‑48.
Legal Secretary‑‑Training Manual, 1956.
Handbook for the Legal Secretary, 1958.
The Medical Secretary, 1958.
Stenographic/Related 0CC, Training Manual, 1965.
"On the Side of the Law," Today's Secretary, monthly article, 1960‑1968.
Files
Personal Commentary
Provided by wife and daughter, 1996:
Born in a rural farming community Kenneth, as a youth, helped work the family farm and worked in road and bridge construction around Parke County, IN, with his father and his brothers.
Kenneth was an avid basketball enthusiast. As a senior at Rockville HS, IN (1918), and as a grade school coach (1928), his teams won Wabash Valley Championships. Playing on independent teams and coaching youth teams enhanced his "love of the game."
While teaching at New Albany HS, IN, his students won first place, for 7 years, at the Indiana State Commercial Contests. In 1938 they placed second at the New York World's Fair.
Written texts, honorary membership in the Santa Clara County Legal Secretaries (local and national associations), a member of the State Employees Credit Union Board of Directors, numerous professional service awards, guest speaker honorariums, athletic awards, conducting community seminars and workshops, along with membership in EFA from SJSU were all proud and memorable accomplishments.
Kenneth was a proud, humble man who focused his attentions on the accomplishments and well‑being of others, rather than his own titles and successes. He taught most effectively and powerfully through his actions. Always a related story and/or poem to illustrate the lesson to be learned ... the message given. Life was viewed in terms of learning opportunities, sharing and growing emotionally, physically and academically. He possessed a keen and inquiring mind.
Kenneth enjoyed working in his garden, following local and national basketball, writing and "teaching"‑‑nurturing the values he held in high esteem. He left a legacy of unconditional love and caring for his family and for those he touched, throughout his life.
Date Completed: 8/96
Adapted from: Biographies of Retired Faculty San Jose State University 1997: A Project of the Emeritus Faculty Association of San Jose State University. San Jose, CA: The University, 1997.