Kemba Cofield, Kentucky State University- c/o 1998, Music
Name : Kemba Cofield
HBCU : Kentucky State University
Graduation Year : 1998
Major : Music
Where are you from? Who introduced you to HBCUs?*
I’m from Frankfort KY home of Kentucky State University. My parents and aunt both went to HBCU’s.
Miss KSU ’95 | Image Credit: K Cofield
Why did you choose an HBCU over a pwi?*
I wanted to be around like minded people. I went to a predominantly white high school and I excelled, I wanted a different environment for college.
[How did you decide to become a student at Kentucky State University?]
My father was a professor at my HBCU.
What is the story of your "experience" at Your HBCU given its heralded status as a stellar and prestigious institution?*
As a small school, I was given extra attention. I never have liked school. However I love learning. KSU was one that created opportunities for all sorts of learners.
"First time" experiences at your HBCU?*
Not sure about this one. I guess my first National Pageant. I was Miss Black KY USA.
Who are the professors that have impacted your life in and out of the classroom? How did they do that?*
I was a music major. My greatest influence was with Dr. Alan C Moore. His teaching was hard and difficult. I worked hard under him.
Also, Dr. Carl H Smith the director of the choir. He just retired this year after 55 years. Our choir had a standard and I had to rise up to be apart of it. Dr. Patricia Griffith my piano teacher was a great musician. She was also very fair and caring.
K Cofield of Kentucky State University 1998 | Image Credit: K Cofield
Best restaurants on/near campus? Best dishes?
Small town. Applebee’s was the spot for a minute. Still go there when I come home.
College crush?
I’m gonna pass. However, he was so fine whew… Chocolate brown. 6’3?. Athlete and I don’t usually like athletes.
What sports and/or extra curricular activities did you do in High School? And why?
I was in GEEZ. Choir, Band, Co Ed Y, Juniorettes, French Club. I think that’s it. I was the 3rd black person to win Miss Franklin County High School.
Ghost stories involving buildings or spots on campus?
Not that I know of. However, that tunnel that leads to the biggest male dorm is NOT COOL!!!
What is your major? and Why did you choose it?
Music Education. I chose it because I love music. I don’t think I necessarily wanted to teach even though I’m good at it. I wanted to sing professionally and have done that as well.
What to date has been your proudest moment @ Your HBCU?
1995 when I won Miss KSU. I have won plenty of pageants but most were with me being judged by a panel. Miss KSU was judged by my peers. It was very humbling.
Where are the spots to go to if you wanted to cuddle with your boy or girlfriend?
LOL I never really had that spot on campus.
What are the chants heard most often at the sporting events?
GET FRESH!!! KSU!!! WITHOUT NO DOUBT WE’VE COME TO TURN, THIS MOTHA, ** OUT. KSU. WITHOUT NO DOUBT WE’VE COME TO TURN THIS MOTHA ** OUT…. The stars are drumbeats… LOL
How are you positively active on campus? (e.g. clubs, SGA, etc.)
I worked with SGA, was the Freshman class advisor as Miss KSU. I was in the band and choir.
Where is the “yard” located?
On a hill in the capital of Frankfort KY. Depending how old you are, they called it the Hill.
What and where are the historical places on campus?
Jackson Hall is our first building. It is located in the back of the campus but each building has significant history. Our amphitheater was created with the bricks of another building that was demolished. Our current cafeteria was located in-between two dorms.
Hume Hall is where our President is housed.
Exum gym is named after my former neighbor William Exum who was a coach on campus in the 1930’s. Bradford Hall houses our business and music departments. I basically lived in the practice rooms for years. McCullin Hall is named after alumnus, Lt. James Mccullin who was a Tuskegee Airman.
Young Hall our biggest male dorm is named after Civil Rights leader Whitney M. Young Jr. Atwood Hall was named after a former President. He had MLK Jr to speak to our graduates. Just lots of history…And the amphitheater was built from the bricks of Atwood Hall named after our esteemed President Rufus B Atwood…
Underwood cafeteria was named after a freed slave. I wasn’t not only Miss KSU but I really love the school… I love the history.. I lived in a neighborhood where all of the people there worked at kysu… All doctors of this heads of departments even a president of the school so I was very fortunate…
Bradford hall was named after Dr David h Bradford. Dean of the school.
What to date has been your saddest moment at your HBCU?
The loss of my classmate Natasha Wilson. We grew up together and I never got over losing her so early.
What situation in your life made you feel like you had arrived into woman/manhood?
Getting saved changed my whole perspective on people and life. I stopped the emotional pain in its tracks. It gave me peace and built me up from the inside out. I’m truly thankful.
How do you deal with racism when you encounter it?
I have dealt with it all of my life. I try to be optimistic because I understand that some people are raised to believe things that are lies. My father is a civil rights leader and so I have been actively apart of the movement as long as I can remember.
He has met every President since Lyndon Johnson. With that said, I believe in equal rights but I also believe that love covers over a multitude of things. People have been taught these ignorant beliefs and we have to give logical reasons why its not worth the energy.
When and how did you discover your passion in life?
I loved singing from a little child. Church was my best experience. Singing music that gratified my Lord and Savior.
What's your take on life (in the philosophical sense)?
I believe life is journey. Mind and attitude mean a lot as to how successful you can be. I would share for all people to love lots, play hard, support the less fortunate, and live everyday like its your last.
Nothing like wishing you had done something. I believe in Yahweh the Father. Jesus is my source. Not sure what you believe but He has guided me to a much better life.
How did you overcome your nervousness about going to college?
I really can’t remember. I think I was so excited to be there.
If you could speak to those family members that have risen but that live forever through you, what words would you speak?
I would bow to the floor and weepingly say thank you. Every good thing they did for me and my parents and generations before enabled me to be me. I don’t deserve to have such great ancestors but I am super thankful for them all.
How did your HBCU prepare you for a diverse workplace?
I don’t think anything could have taught me the real of teaching in a classroom in an urban setting. However, learning the basics made me strong in delivering the guidance for my own students.
What advice would you give high school students filling out college applications for the first time?
Get someone to review your application after you have completed it. You want to present the best you, possible.
If you could only speak two sentences to the youth coming after you what would you say?
Make the most out of your experience. Don’t waste one moment. You’ll never have it again.
Are you a member of a sorority?
I pledged Delta Sigma Theta. I was very fortunate to see this organization in my community sacrificing their lives for the betterment of the youth. Many people went on to graduate from college because of the tutelage they had with the Alumnae Chapter. I never ever thought of joining anything else.
How did your HBCU help you to transition into your careers workforce?
Having a choir director that had high standards required me to have the same perspectives for my own students.
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Kentucky State University
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Students: 2,159
Under Graduates: 2,025
Post Graduates: 134 - Athletics: Kentucky State University competes as a member of the Division II Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, and indoor and outdoor track and field; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field, softball and volleyball.
- Notable Alumni: Yingluck Shinawatra - 1991 - The 28th and first female Prime Minister of Thailand** Moneta Sleet Jr. - 1947 - Photographer for Ebony, won a Pulitzer Prize for his picture of Coretta Scott King at the funeral of Martin Luther King, Jr.** Davey 'Wiz' Whitney - 1953 - Former head basketball coach at Texas Southern University and Alcorn State University. One of the winningest coaches in HBCU basketball. Inducted into National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame** Whitney M. Young Jr. - 1941 - Former civil rights leader, educator and executive; former Executive Director who led the National Urban League through its most prosperous period; served many presidential commissions including as a Vietnam elections observer in 1967**
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