Convocation Features Address by 1968 Alumna Beverly J. Coen

Muskingum University held its Convocation on August 30, opening the institution’s 175th year and featuring an address by 1968 alumna Beverly J. Coen.

In her address, Ms. Coen told the students, ”You have an opportunity to define your place in the Muskingum family, and perhaps to recreate yourself.  Each of you has a fresh start.”

Ms. Coen is the chief tax and risk officer of Nordson Corporation, the world’s leading producer of precision systems for applying coatings, sealants and adhesives during consumer and industrial product manufacturing.  Nordson operates in 30 countries from its Westlake, Ohio headquarters.  Ms. Coen’s responsibilities include domestic and international tax compliance and heading Nordson’s worldwide business continuity planning function.

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Nordson Company Foundation, Ms. Coen helps lead Nordson’s social responsibility initiatives.  Her work with the foundation improves the quality of life in communities, through projects supporting education, human welfare, civic affairs, arts and culture.

An active civic leader, Ms. Coen has chaired the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Buckeye Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  Under her leadership, the Buckeye Chapter was nationally recognized for its excellence in services for people living with MS and for its superior achievements in fund-raising to support MS research.

As a trustee of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cleveland, and as an emeritus director of its successor organization Family Promise of Greater Cleveland, Ms. Coen’s work helps homeless families achieve sustainable independence and transform their lives. 

She was recently recognized by the Ohio Foundation for Independent Colleges for her exemplary leadership in advancing private higher education in the state of Ohio.

A native of Zanesville, Ms. Coen earned her bachelor of arts degree in English and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.  She began her career as a corporate tax attorney with Republic Steel Corporation.