Whether helping a first-year build a manageable class schedule or encouraging a senior to finish strong, Helen approached each day with the mindset of an engineer: every process could be improved to better serve students.

That precision and deep care for people defined her 21 years in the registrar’s office. “Everybody at IC is working toward the same goal: helping students succeed,” she reflects. “If someone isn’t there for that, they frequently don’t stay. Those who remain genuinely care about students, about each other and about making things better.” 

Helen and her parents, Alex and Mary Cole, have long believed in the transformative power of education. Her grandfather taught at the University of Kansas and Lincoln University in Missouri, and her mother spent her career as a teacher. That commitment to education is now reflected in the Cole and Kuhn Family Endowed Scholarship at Illinois College. 

The scholarship provides timely support for students close to graduation who might otherwise fall short financially. “Sometimes it’s just a few thousand dollars that stands between a student and finishing their degree,” Helen explains. “We wanted to help make sure they didn’t have to walk away so close to the finish line.” 

Helen’s decision to fund the scholarship through gifts of appreciated stock ensures that her contributions go even further. By donating shares directly, she maximizes the impact on students while minimizing tax obligations, a strategy she hopes more alumni and friends will consider. “It’s an easy way to give, and it means the College receives the full value of your gift,” she says. 

Even in retirement, Helen volunteers her expertise by reviewing student records and encouraging students to complete their degrees. She remains inspired by the culture of care she experienced at IC.

“I think what makes Illinois College special is that people truly care. Faculty, staff, and students alike make lifelong connections and support each other in ways that go beyond the classroom,” Helen says. 

Through her family’s scholarship and her enduring presence on campus, Helen ensures that generations of Illinois College students will benefit from that same spirit of care.