Our Crimson 50 series honors Cougs who have been making gifts to Washington State University for 50 years. Their enduring generosity has created lasting opportunities for students, faculty, and communities across Washington and beyond. Each Crimson 50 profile shares their journey—from first gift to most recent—and their reflections on philanthropy, WSU, and the indomitable Cougar spirit.
Their Story
When Marjorie “Marge” Rowland ’57 met Stanley “Stan” Coe ’55 at The Coug her senior year, the warnings came quickly—Stan had just broken up with his girlfriend. Never one to give credence to idle talk, Marge liked him, thought he was funny, and found him smart and interesting. Stan had already earned his bachelor of arts in biological sciences and was completing his doctor of veterinary medicine. The two began dating and were soon a couple. They loved the sense of community they felt at WSU, especially at Coug football games.
After moving to Seattle to start his veterinary practice, the Coes remained avid Cougar football fans. Through the years, they enjoyed many Pullman football weekends with their two children—Cindy and Stanley Rowland “Russ,” who went on to become Cougs.
Dr. Stan Coe’s friend and colleague, Dr. “Bud” Doney (’45 DVM), had barely opened a free clinic for the pets of homeless people in 1985 when, sadly, Bud died. Stan stepped in to maintain and grow the first no-cost veterinary clinic in the nation serving the pets of people experiencing homelessness. Twelve years later, Stan received national attention in People Magazine and other publications for his dedication to the clinic and his colleague’s legacy. One publication called him “the kindest vet you’ll ever meet.”
The Coug-founded Doney Coe Pet Clinic, a model duplicated across the country, continues to provide free and loving care while also offering WSU veterinary students opportunities to complete clinical hours for their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Stan served as president of the WSU Alumni Association from 1984-85, and in 2001, he received the Weldon B. Gibson Distinguished Volunteer Award for his dedicated service to numerous WSU causes—including the conversion of the landmark “farm barn,” originally part of the agriculture college, into the Alumni Association’s beautiful gambrel-roofed Great Hall.
After Stan retired in 2001, he and Marge made many trips to Pullman. Then Marge died in 2009, and Stan eventually settled in Pullman to be near his daughter Cindy.
First Gift: $10 in 1959 to Cougar Athletics
Five Questions
“I love WSU, and I just want to give back what WSU has given me,” Stan said. “It’s that simple. WSU’s vet school was also like family, and the education I received, and the success I enjoyed because of that education has been a driving force to give back.”
“WSU appeared in the 1998 and 2003 Rose Bowls, and Marge and I got to attend both of them. I’m also very proud of the fact that WSU has one of the strongest veterinary colleges of medicine in the country.”
“The values guiding my giving have been inspired by WSU’s dedication to creating a sense of community and giving people a chance to make a better life for themselves.”
“Like other Cougs, I always hope for success for WSU academics and research and the success of students as well as Cougar Football. And so, I hope that success builds on more success!”
“I would tell them to choose the college or the activity at WSU that they love and that has made a difference in their lives. For me, it was the College of Veterinary Medicine and Cougar Athletics.”