A Palm Springs High School alumna’s donation has resulted in the naming of “The Coffey Lobby” at the Richards Center for the Arts, the Foundation for the Palm Springs Unified School District announced this week.
The formal dedication on Tuesday was attended by Nancy Coffey, a graduate of the school who currently splits her time between Rancho Mirage and New York City, who made the donation on behalf of her family.
“We are so pleased to honor Nancy in this way,” said Ellen Goodman, the Foundation’s executive director. “Importantly, the naming honors not only Nancy herself, but her sister Shelby Coffey Strong, also a Palm Springs High School alumna, and their late parents Arthur J. Coffey and Joan Moore.”
The Coffey family has deep roots in the city.
Arthur Coffey was a prominent builder in the region during its mid-century development, constructing homes and businesses including the landmark Firestone house at Thunderbird Country Club. Joan Moore was an important supporter of local institutions, including the Palm Springs Art Museum.
During the dedication ceremony, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tony Signoret praised Nancy Coffey’s generosity and Palm Springs High School Principal Mike Ventura noted that “Palm Springs High School is all about legacy and carrying on traditions, and the Coffey family’s contributions to Palm Springs over decades represents exactly that.”
Several longtime friends and fellow Palm Springs High School alumni attended the ceremony.
Dr. Erik Williams, whose father E. Stewart Williams designed the Richards Center building in 1958, was present with his wife Sidney Williams, retired curator of architecture and design at the Palm Springs Art Museum.
Steve Rosen, another alumnus, entertained attendees with photos from the Palm Springs High School yearbook.
“It’s my pleasure to support the district through a gift to the Foundation,” Coffey said. “I’m moved by being honored with the naming. I have fond memories of the education I received here and the experiences I had, which prepared me for Stanford and life beyond. It’s a privilege to help support the success of today’s students.”
Goodman noted that the Richards Center for the Arts name itself resulted from a similar donation by Palm Springs High School alumna Rozene Supple, whose family name is Richards.
“Rozene’s generosity in naming the building several years ago, and now Nancy’s naming of The Coffey Lobby, make for a wonderful symmetry. And they’re important evidence of the vitality of, and the need for, philanthropy in our district,” Goodman said.
Mark Gauthier, board president of the Foundation, concluded the ceremony by emphasizing the importance of donor support.
“It’s support from our donors that makes possible everything that the Foundation funds at the district – classroom grants for teachers, college and financial-aid mentoring, on-campus mental health wellness centers, musical instruments, scholarships, and so much more,” Gauthier said. “When alumni like Nancy celebrate and support their public schools, everybody wins.”