SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
For Dr. Rodney Coates , achievement in education, leadership, and service is measured one student at a time Building A Lasting Legacy
By Judson L. Haynes
R odney Coates is a historian, and community builder—but at his core, he remains committed to education, service, and empowering others. His journey, from a young man growing up in East Saint Louis, IL, to a distinguished man of many titles— scholar, mentor, professor at Miami Uni- versity in Oxford OH, is a testament to resilience, discipline, and mentor- ship’s impact. At a young age, Brother Coates was surrounded by influential members of Kappa Alpha Psi®. The Fraternity’s presence in his community was undeniable—teachers, school board members, and politicians were the leaders in his community. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in Southern Illinois Univer- sity Edwardsville (SIUE), which had just opened its doors. The new university operated on a quarter system, and after his first quarter, he embarked on
Dr. Coates teaching a class at Miami University.
SERVICE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST Juggling both school and work at SIUE proved challenging, so in 1968, he put his academic pursuits on hold and joined the U.S. Army. With the nation at war, Coates served four years, which included a deployment to Vietnam. Upon his return, the 21-year-old was eager to continue his education. The Army experience had given him a newfound focus and discipline, and he received
the road to Kappa Land. Coates is a 1966 initiate of the Gamma Upsilon of Kappa Alpha Psi Fra- ternity, Inc. and at just 17-years-old, he was one of the youngest members in the country. He recalls going through the full pledge process in East Saint Louis, where he was among the first Scrollers. The experience cemented his love of Kappa, a bond that would shape much of his personal and profes- sional journey.
his degree in Sociology and Urban Planning from SIUE. The ambitious college graduate wanted to serve the public interest but could not secure a job in the field because he was told that he wasn’t quali- fied enough . “I didn’t see rejection as failure; I saw it as redirection. Those ‘not qualified enough’ moments pushed me to think differ- ently about how to serve my community through achievement,” he recalls. Determined to advance
20 THE JOURNAL ♦ FALL 2025
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