Memorial concert honors lecturer
A former Central Michigan University lecturer who passed away in December is remembered as a kind, joyful person who enjoyed watching theatrical plays and taking in stray cats.
Denise Cole, who taught the theater course TAI 170, loved singing. As a tribute to her memory, a concert was put on in her honor today in Moore Hall's Townsend Kiva, featuring professional vocalist and recording artist Julia Wade.
Music with stringed instruments opened the concert, with the operatic-sounding Wade singing "Gloria -- from 'Upon the Mountain," written by Peter Link.
In-between each performance, Wade would describe a characteristic about Cole that she had learned from loved ones and dedicate the following song to that attribute.
Songs were dedicated to Cole's Christian faith, her relationship with her sister, generous heart, role as a teacher, love of the space odyssey "Star Trek," and her nature as a good listener.
Afterward, six people took turns honoring Cole with their memories and positive thoughts about her character. Associate Professor Nancy Eddy said they became traveling companions after meeting at CMU 10 years ago. Together, they have seen about 200 plays.
"She had a heart bigger than the sky and deeper than the ocean," Eddy said. "Denise's kind heart extended to everyone, but especially to animals."
Cole co-founded an animal rescue program called Gratiot Animals in Need. GAIN transports animals from Gratiot County, where they can be sold for experimental purposes, and instead finds an alternative rescue or no-kill shelter to care for them.
Cole's love for cats is what she and her fellow co-worker, Professor Stacey Pattison, bonded over when they first met during her faculty orientation 15 years ago. Pattison said Cole had a way of "lifting spirits," and was always smiling, laughing and humming.
"When we first met, I thought well, she is very nice, perhaps a bit quirky -- I like her already," Pattison said.
Sophomore Jacob Klaus took TAI 170 with Cole last year. He said despite the fact that he is not an actor, he looked forward to going to her class each week.
"She was more than a college professor; Denise was mentor and a friend to all of us," Klaus said. "She was unique in that she took the time to learn our names, likes and dislikes."
Klaus said he went through a rough patch that semester, and Cole had been there for him, making sure he was OK.
"She would always talk to me during class and sometimes send me cheerful emails outside of class," Klaus said. "When I look back at that rough patch on my life, I am thankful Denise was there for me."
