Carolyn Cohen (Sargent’65) devoted herself to many BU activities, events, and causes—and her canine companions. She and her greyhound often walked the halls of Sargent, greeting students and staff.

Tributes

“The Embodiment of Sargent Spirit”

Remembering alum Carolyn Cohen, retired educator and proud Terrier

Christopher Moore, who retires as dean of the College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College this year, pays tribute to Carolyn Cohen (Sargent’65). A prolific community volunteer, retired educator, and beloved member of the Sargent community, Cohen died on March 18, 2023. She was 79.

Graduating from BU with a degree in physical education, Carolyn was a health and physical education teacher, coach, athletic director, and sports official at Boston Public Schools. She used her expertise to enrich many organizations, including the commonwealth of Massachusetts, where she served on committees for health, physical education, and dance recreation. As a board member for the nonprofit Institute for Human Centered Design, she advocated for and worked to advance quality of life for individuals needing special assistance. She helped certify high school and BU students on CPR and first aid techniques and was a softball officiant well into her 70s.

Those who met her knew Carolyn was the embodiment of Sargent Spirit. A proud Terrier, she devoted herself to a myriad of BU activities, events, and causes. Her dedication to improving the lives and communities of others was matched only by her deep compassion for her canine companions. Before the pandemic, it was common to see Carolyn walking the halls of Sargent, greeting students and staff as she and her greyhound, Sneakers, made their rounds.

Carolyn was also a vivid Sargent historian. She had a particularly interesting perspective on the college, attending the University when it was led by BU luminaries. She studied anatomy with Professor Emeritus Whitney R. Powers and attended an English class taught by the late Professor Ruth Setterberg while under the leadership of the late Dean George Makechnie.

It was Makechnie who got Carolyn involved as a student in alumni work, which she faithfully continued throughout her life. She served on the Sargent College Alumni Association (SCAA) since graduation and was her class secretary for more than 50 years. She also served as SCAA president, from 1979 to 1984. Most recently, she was the SCAA reunion representative, helping to organize Alumni Weekend activities and awards ceremonies. In 2015, she received the Dudley Allen Sargent Service Award in recognition of her meritorious service to the Alumni Association. She was an honorary Scarlet Key recipient in 1998, and she worked closely with the BU Scarlet Key Honor Society.

When the pandemic hit, the college launched the Sargent Cares fund to provide emergency aid for students. Carolyn was a leading donor to the fund and encouraged her class to allocate its 2020 reunion gift to the cause. Her heartfelt commitment to the Sargent community and her profoundly positive outlook assured all of us that we could overcome challenges and create lasting change.

Seeing Carolyn was a high point of any day I encountered her. It is an understatement to say I will miss her deeply. And while it’s difficult to imagine our community without her, she has left an indelible legacy of compassionate service here at Sargent and Boston University.