John J. Coffelt was born on Dec. 26, 1924, in Neosha, Missouri. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Denver in 1948 and a Master of Arts degree from Colorado State College in 1951. Coffelt received his Doctoral degree in Education from the University of Colorado in 1962. Prior to coming to Youngstown State in 1968, Coffelt served in several public educational administrative positions in Colorado. Afterward, he was made Vice Chancellor for Research and Planning by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. In 1968, Coffelt was appointed Vice President of Administrative Affairs at Youngstown State University. In 1973, he was chosen to succeed Albert L. Pugsley as President of the University. Under President Coffelt, the College of Fine & Performing Arts was founded in 1974 and took up residence in the newly-constructed Bliss Hall three years later. New facilities were constructed for the College of Applied Science and Technology (Cushwa Hall, 1978) and the College of Arts & Sciences (DeBartolo Hall, 1979). A new library was dedicated in 1976 and an enrollment record was set in 1981, with 16,100 students registered for classes. Due to ill health, Coffelt was granted medical leave in 1983 and retired the following year. He died in a Houston, Texas hospital on September 1, 1988 following surgery for an aneurysm. He was 67.
From the description of Office of the President, Youngstown State University, John J. Coffelt : records, 1973-1984. (Youngstown State University). WorldCat record id: 463436726
