"A
Ray of Sunshine"
Cooper's optimism, good humor infectious
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Inside Furman is published monthly during the school year by the Furman University Department of Marketing and Public Relations. For story ideas, e-mail John Roberts, editor.
"A
ray of sunshine"
Cooper's optimism, good humor infectious
Surprises make Nancy Cooper nervous.
So when her name was announced at Founders Day Convocation as the recipient of the 2002 Chiles-Harrill Award, her legs predictably went numb and her limbs began to shake.
To make matters worse, Cooper, seated at the rear of McAlister Auditorium, had to negotiate a long line of well-wishers and admirers on her way to the podium to accept the award.
As she neared the stage - and as more than 1,000 looked on - Cooper's stomach began to quiver. Her head grew light. A concerned Jim Pitts, university chaplain, took her hand as she came on stage.
"Are you OK, Nancy?" he asked.
"No," came a muffled reply. "I think I'm going to throw up."
"Well if you do, do it in the orchestra pit," said the chaplain.
Fortunately, Cooper persevered and handled the situation with her typical grace, style and good humor.
"It was," she later reflected, "the most touching thing that's happened to me in my 54 years."
And it was a fitting tribute to someone whose spirit, optimism and perseverance has inspired many.
The Chiles-Harrill Award is presented annually to a faculty or staff member who has made substantial contributions to students' lives. Chiles joined the university's staff in 1942 as director of student personnel; she retired in 1980 as vice president for student affairs. Harrill, a longtime member of the political science department, also served as dean of students during the 1960s.
When Cooper joined Furman full time in 1988 after working part time for Economics and Business Administration, Athletics and the Infirmary, it was a bright spot during troubling times.
David, her husband of 20 years, had just been diagnosed with a rare disease that affects the digestive system. He was told he had less than a year to live. Medical bills had taken a toll on the family's finances, and Cooper had been forced to rejoin the workforce after 16 years as a stay-at-home mom.
Her new job, as an assistant to Betty Alverson, then director of Watkins Student Center, was a saving grace. It provided stability and helped finance a college education for her daughter, Allison. Cooper also found working with young people to be emotionally uplifting.
"I will always be grateful to Betty for giving me the opportunity to work here," she says. "The peace and joy of being associated with Furman students has been a tremendous gift."
Known for her caring attitude, beaming smile and sense of humor, Cooper was named University Center coordinator in 1999 after Alverson retired and Scott Derrick was named director of Student Activities & the University Center.
"Nancy Cooper is a ray of sunshine that always brightens my day and the day of everyone with whom she comes in contact," says Derrick. "She is my support and my confidant here at Furman, and she is always ready to assist the students (or anyone, for that matter) at the drop of a hat. Furman, its students, and especially the University Center are so much richer and blessed because of Nancy."
Cooper's husband, along with several relatives and friends, were in attendance when Cooper was honored.
"This
has been such a humbling thing," she says. "Dr. Harrill and Ms.
Chiles mean so much to Furman students. I am so honored that people would
think of me that way."