Distinguished alumni

Charollene Coates Distinguished Professional Achievement

After graduating from Northwestern, Coates taught in Iowa and South Dakota. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Chadron State College in 1964, following that up with a master’s degree from Chadron in 1970 and a doctorate in education administration from the University of South Dakota in 1984. Her 50-year career in education included experience teaching from preschool through graduate school; a number of administrative roles, including six years as executive director of School Administrators of South Dakota; and 15 years on the Chadron State faculty. Named Nebraska’s Professor of the Year in 1996 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, she also received the Nebraska State College System Teacher Excellence Award in 1994 and Chadron’s Faculty Achievement Award in 1989. Although retired, Coates continues to supervise student teachers and served as president of the South Dakota Retired Teachers Association from 2006–08.

Award year: 2008