NATCHITOCHES – A scholarship has been established at Northwestern State University to honor the memory, career, achievements and service of a highly accomplished alumna.  The Juanita Martinez Coutee Memorial Scholarship was established by her husband Ellis Coutee of Baton Rouge, along with family and friends, to continue Mrs. Coutee’s legacy at the university and in the community.

Mr. Coutee initiated the scholarship with the generosity of friends and family who made memorial donations to the NSU Foundation.  The scholarship will reach fulfillment at $100,000.

Upon his death, the scholarship name will change to the Ellis and Juanita Martinez Coutee Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded to a Catholic male or female student majoring in mathematics or accounting with preference given to students affiliated with the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

“Juanita Coutee, embodied the values of faith, family and work with remarkable grace,” said Dr. Drake Owens, executive director of the NSU Foundation. “This scholarship will ensure that her memory at NSU lives on through the students who benefit from the Coutee family’s commitment and generosity to NSU.”

Mrs. Coutee passed away March 18 after a brief battle with cancer.

“Over the years, the Coutees have funded numerous endowed scholarships for Northwestern students and supported many programs and projects at the university,” said NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones. “Their assistance to NSU is an extension of the importance of philanthropy in education, religion and other important causes.”

Mrs. Coutee was a Zwolle native who earned an undergraduate degree in business and mathematics in 1958 and a master’s degree in mathematics in 1960, graduating from NSU with honors. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society, and a member of the NSU College of Business Hall of Distinction.  Mr. and Mrs. Coutee were the first couple to be inducted together into the Long Purple Line, NSU’s alumni hall of distinction, the highest honor the university bestows on graduates.

Mrs. Coutee earned her education by working on campus and was awarded academic scholarships. She taught geometry at Fair Park High School in Shreveport while earning her graduate degree. She was the first professional female at Exxon, where she was employed as a systems analyst in the Math, Computing and Systems Department at the Baton Rouge refinery where her technical expertise for the business and information systems was recognized. She was also a key component to the payroll systems for Exxon. Mrs. Coutee served on the salaried Federal Credit Union Board as was president of the Retirement Club.

Mrs. Coutee went above and beyond as a trailblazer to leave her mark in the workplace. She retired from the company as senior associate after 33 years.

Barbara Beckmann, a senior associate for ExxonMobil, was Mrs. Coutee’s long-time colleague and friend.  Ms. Beckmann joined the company a year after Mrs. Coutee, and the two shared many experiences – both humorous and groundbreaking — as the first women employees who were not part of the secretarial pool.

“She did a huge job of paving the way,” Ms. Beckman said. “There were a fair amount of meetings we were in together and if Juanita had something to say, she said it, and she contributed to the meeting.”

“Juanita was always a mentor for the new kids on the block, even if they weren’t women,” added Ms. Beckmann, who herself has and continues to mentor many young professionals.

Mr. and Mrs. Coutee were members of the Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.  They were awarded the Papal Honor membership from Pope John Paul II. Mrs. Coutee was later promoted to Lady Grant Cross.  She served the Diocese of Baton Rouge for 10 years and was an active and devout member of St. Thomas More Parish, serving as a lector and on various committees.

According to family, Mrs. Coutee was a born leader, fiercely independent and excelled in many areas of life, but her favorite honors were the titles of mother and grandmother. She and her husband were well-known for their altruism and generosity. The couple often cited their educational training and experiences at NSU as a major force in their successful business careers and productive lives.

“The Coutees have for many years been devoted to Northwestern State and the entire university community has benefitted,” said Jill Bankston, director of Development. “We were so deeply saddened by the loss of Mrs. Juanita, but are eternally grateful that she will be continually honored for years to come.”

Friends may contribute to the scholarship by visiting https://northwesternstatealumni.com/coutee-scholarship/.