By Robert W. Dalton
Jerry Cogdell retired in 2000 after 33 years as assistant dean of the college, but current Wofford students still benefit from his legacy. Cogdell helped establish and was coordinator of Interim.
He died on April 15, 2021, at his home in Spartanburg, S.C. He was 87.
“He was one of the best people I ever knew,” says Dr. Dan Maultsby ’61, dean of the college and professor of sociology emeritus. “Nobody was more conscientious or able. He was always steady, always there.”
Cogdell was born in Greeneville, Tenn., but his family moved to upstate New York when he was 6. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Muskingum University in New Concord, Ohio, and a master’s degree from Yale University. He also completed the Summer Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.
Maultsby says Cogdell was a “magnificent” writer. He also was in demand as a proofreader and editor.
“He taught writing to the first-year students,” Maultsby says. “Some of them still talk about how much they learned from him.”
When he retired, the board of trustees granted Cogdell emeritus status.
Cogdell and his wife of 51 years, Cecilia Haggerty Cogdell, were longtime members of First Presbyterian Church. His love of music led him to sing in First Presbyterian’s Chancel Choir, Madrigal Singers and the Spartanburg Festival Chorus. They also supported music and the arts, educational institutions and other charitable organizations in the community.
“He was just a good man,” Maultsby says. “He set an example for students and faculty. He was one of my favorite people.”