Willis Knighton Health announces the establishment of the Willis Knighton Health Endowed Professorship in Memory of William Jefferson Cole for the College of Business at Louisiana Tech University. Cole, who died in May 2024, was managing partner of Cole, Evans & Peterson accounting firm and longtime advisor and board member of Willis Knighton Health.

Willis Knighton’s $80,000 donation will be matched $20,000 by the Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund to establish a $100,000 professorship.  

“Through this endowed professorship we honor the memory of Jeff Cole,” said Jaf Fielder, Willis Knighton president and CEO. “He not only shared his vast intellectual gifts with Willis Knighton for nearly 60 years, his generosity extended to countless others in Northwest Louisiana.”

An endowed professorship is one of the highest honors that Louisiana Tech can bestow on a faculty member. It is a prestigious, named position permanently funded by the annual earnings from an endowment. It is one of the most impactful investments a donor can make to the College of Business at Louisiana Tech. These funds will allow the College of Business to recruit and retain exceptional faculty, enhance national rankings and accreditation, and strengthen academic programs and research.

Professorships are awarded to faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. The income from the endowment supports faculty research, curriculum innovation, and provides long-term financial stability for Louisiana Tech University.

The Willis Knighton Health Endowed Professorship in Memory of William Jefferson Cole will support a faculty member whose work enhances both research and student learning – advancing innovation in business education while honoring the legacy of Jeff Cole.

Cole, a native of Grand Cane, attended Louisiana Tech, where he was a member of the ROTC. After graduation he served four years in the United States Air Force, stationed in France and Germany, before moving back to Northwest Louisiana. He joined what was to become Cole, Evans & Peterson in 1965 and was a driving force behind the firm’s growth and development over the years.

In 2017, Cole was named Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Business at Louisiana Tech in recognition of his exceptional career, professional leadership, dedicated service to the university and contributions to his community. 

Willis Knighton Health announces the establishment of the Willis Knighton Health Endowed Professorship in Memory of William Jefferson Cole for the College of Business at Louisiana Tech University. Cole, who died in May 2024, was managing partner of Cole, Evans & Peterson accounting firm and longtime advisor and board member of Willis Knighton Health.

Willis Knighton’s $80,000 donation will be matched $20,000 by the Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund to establish a $100,000 professorship.  

“Through this endowed professorship we honor the memory of Jeff Cole,” said Jaf Fielder, Willis Knighton president and CEO. “He not only shared his vast intellectual gifts with Willis Knighton for nearly 60 years, his generosity extended to countless others in Northwest Louisiana.”

An endowed professorship is one of the highest honors that Louisiana Tech can bestow on a faculty member. It is a prestigious, named position permanently funded by the annual earnings from an endowment. It is one of the most impactful investments a donor can make to the College of Business at Louisiana Tech. These funds will allow the College of Business to recruit and retain exceptional faculty, enhance national rankings and accreditation, and strengthen academic programs and research.

Professorships are awarded to faculty who demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. The income from the endowment supports faculty research, curriculum innovation, and provides long-term financial stability for Louisiana Tech University.

The Willis Knighton Health Endowed Professorship in Memory of William Jefferson Cole will support a faculty member whose work enhances both research and student learning – advancing innovation in business education while honoring the legacy of Jeff Cole.

Cole, a native of Grand Cane, attended Louisiana Tech, where he was a member of the ROTC. After graduation he served four years in the United States Air Force, stationed in France and Germany, before moving back to Northwest Louisiana. He joined what was to become Cole, Evans & Peterson in 1965 and was a driving force behind the firm’s growth and development over the years.

In 2017, Cole was named Distinguished Alumnus of the College of Business at Louisiana Tech in recognition of his exceptional career, professional leadership, dedicated service to the university and contributions to his community.