A New Beginning
Despite Coe’s Writing Center being one of the largest student-run writing center organizations and having a positive reputation among writing centers within the United States, it started from extremely humble beginnings. At the beginning of 1986, professors from around Coe expressed concern that a high school education no longer met the requirements of competent writing. Instead, many professors felt they were spending more time teaching students how to write rather than improving the content of their students' papers. This led to the appointment of a committee to formulate new ways to improve students' writing skills. This committee came up with three changes to the institution in an effort to improve students' writing skills. To begin, they decided to change the curriculum so that students must take classes that integrate more writing; this forced students to become more familiar with an array of writing styles and forms. Secondly, more courses that involved writing were added to the curriculum. And lastly, the Writing Center was created, with Dr. Bob Marrs at the head as director. (Cosmos, Beth Calero, Oct. 30th, 1986) The first-ever Writing Center was located in Stuart Hall 101, which is now Stuart Hall's first-floor bathrooms, with only seven total consultants and a few state-of-the-art computer programs that aided students in brainstorming ideas for papers or formulating an outline. Consultants at the time emphasized that to make an appointment, all you needed to do was simply stop by or call. However, they strongly encouraged students not to make an appointment too late, as “it is difficult to provide assistance to students whose writing assignment is due the next day” (Cosmos, Beth Calero, Oct. 30th, 1986)—a problem many consultants still struggle with today.
Moving on up in the world, or just down the hall
As the Writing Center began to receive more recognition, it also began to see far more traffic from students. Many consultants described the environment as warm and cozy but cramped and chaotic during busy times of the day and semester. Thus, in the fall of 2000, the Writing Center was moved down the hall to the room between Stuart and Peterson Hall. Many former consultants describe this new room as more spacious and accommodating, with more areas and a larger space for consultations. Although it had no windows, the Writing Center was still described as cozy and always smelled of fresh coffee. In fact, it was advertised as having the best coffee on campus, with warm lights and many new, fresh appliances. The Writing Center attracted attention from many new students. In the October 18th, 2001 article of the Cosmos Cunsultants described the many new new appliances with some humor such as a new microwave that didn't apparently smell like “spicy chicken sandwiches” (compared to the former appliance), a new bread machine, new computers, and a new printer, all of which drew the attention of many students.
Yet another move
The Writing Center stayed within the Peterson Tunnel for twelve years, where consultants continued to aid students with brainstorming, formulating theses, writing papers, and simply being a positive force on campus. Until the spring of 2012, when it was moved to the Gage Annex right behind the Coe Bookstore—now known as the Intercultural Center. Many consultants described the new space as daunting and intimidating at first, but they soon found joy in the location, as the Writing Center isn’t defined by its location, but by the atmosphere consultants are able to create. In this new location, many consultants took advantage of the full kitchen, where they prepared fresh baked goods to share.
Finding a new Director
In the entirety of the Writing Center's existence, it had had one director, Dr. Bob Marrs, who served as chair of the Rhetoric Department, built Coe’s Writing Across the Curriculum program, and grew the Writing Center from seven to nearly 75 consultants, who conducted roughly 2,500 conferences annually. Dr. Bob Marrs was able to take consultants to many writing center conferences around the United States and built an environment on Coe’s campus that was—and still is—warm and inviting. At the end of the 2014 academic year, the Writing Center was without Dr. Marrs due to his retirement and welcomed a new face: Jenny Hammerich. Through an extensive student-run process, Jenny Hammerich, coming from the University of Iowa as a professional writer and assistant manager of the Iowa Review, had some big shoes to fill, now that the only Writing Center director had retired. (Cosmos, Rebecca Sarkauskas, Feb. 28, 2014)
“A God In Ruins”
Although Jenna Hammerich was a very positive prospective director, she only led the Writing Center for one year. Her spot was soon taken by Jane Nesmith in 2015, the current and soon-to-be retiring director. Previously, Professor Nesmith worked as a freelance writer for The Gazette and City Revealed Magazine in Cedar Rapids. She has also taught part-time for the college in the Rhetoric Department since 1994 and holds a Ph.D. in English. At the time of her appointment, Professor Nesmith proclaimed herself a “word nerd” and a “reading addict.” She shared one of her favorite books, A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson, a novel about an English family surviving during the events of World War II. (Cosmos, Allison Bartnick, Sept. 11, 2015)
Jane Nesmith sits at her new desk in her new office located in the Stewart Memorial Library. Photo by Rod Pritchard.
Writing Center in Stewart Memorial Library
At the same time Jane Nesmith took the position of Writing Center Director, the Writing Center made its final move into Stewart Memorial Library. Surrounded by resources, books, and, most importantly, students, it had many windows to increase the “homey” feel and continued to boast about the greatest coffee on campus. The Writing Center still resides within Stewart Memorial Library and has become the favorite study spot for many consultants and students alike. (Cosmos, Allison Bartnick)
The Writing Center has Grown but Hasn't Changed
Despite the many moves, 3 different directors, and many changes that have taken place within the writing center. It is a main theme that Writing Center consultants are still and will always be here to aid and improve the writing of Coe students. No matter what process you are in, Coe’s writing center still has the same values of constant improvement and a welcoming atmosphere that every student needs on campus. Whether that's calling the writing center extension, having a walk-in appointment, making an appointment online, or making a new body double appointment, the writing center is here for Coe students. Don't be afraid to come into the writing center even if it's just for a cup of tea or a quick snack. All are welcome!!
Works Cited:
Calero, Beth. "Writing Center Staffed to Help Students." The Coe College Cosmos, 30 Oct. 1986, coe.historyarchives.online/viewer?fn=the_coe_college_cosmos_usa_iowa_cedar_rapids_19861030_english_2. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
“Writing Center Moving to Larger Room.” The Coe College Cosmos, 18 Oct. 2001, coe.historyarchives.online/viewer?fn=the_coe_college_cosmos_usa_iowa_cedar_rapids_20011018_english_5. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
“New Rhetoric Requirements to Include Writing Center.” The Coe College Courier, 1 July 1986, coe.historyarchives.online/viewer?fn=the_coe_college_courier_usa_iowa_cedar_rapids_19860701_english_3. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
“Writing Center Relocates to Gage Annex.” The Coe College Cosmos, 9 Dec. 2011, coe.historyarchives.online/viewer?fn=the_coe_college_cosmos_usa_iowa_cedar_rapids_20111209_english_4. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
“Hammerich Leaves Writing Center, Nesmith Steps In.” The Coe College Cosmos, 28 Feb. 2014, coe.historyarchives.online/viewer?fn=the_coe_college_cosmos_usa_iowa_cedar_rapids_20140228_english_3. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
“Writing Center Finds a New Home.” The Coe College Courier, 1 June 2014, coe.historyarchives.online/viewer?fn=the_coe_college_courier_usa_iowa_cedar_rapids_20140601_english_2. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
"Nesmith Named Writing Center Director." The Coe College Cosmos, 11 Sept. 2015, coe.historyarchives.online/viewer?fn=the_coe_college_cosmos_usa_iowa_cedar_rapids_20150911_english_3. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.
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