Dr. Ivan L. Cotman, Sr.

Dr. Ivan louis Cotman was born April 4, 1940 to the late Louis and Marguerite Kaine Cotman in Detroit, Michigan. He was the oldest of two children. He was baptized and confirmed at Old St. Mary’s Church in Greektown, where he attended grade school; he was a long-time member of the First Unitarian-Universalist Church of Detroit.
Ivan graduated from Detroit’s Salesian High School (1958) and from Kentucky State University (1962) with majors in Social Science and English. He received an M.A. in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University in 1964 and an Ed. D from Wayne State University in 1975. He also studied at Harvard’s J.F.K. School of Government and the University of Manchester in England.
Ivan’s career began as a social worker with the Detroit Public Schools. He also worked for United Community Services and New Detroit, Inc. In 1973, he joined The Michigan Department of Education and served as deputy state superintendent under Governors Milliken, Blanchard, and Engler. Following a five-year stint at Davenport University as director of the Detroit office, he established Cotman and Associates, a consulting and philanthropic venture.
Ivan married Jeanetta Hawkins Cotman, the love of his life, on August 18, 1964, following a courtship which began during their college years at Kentucky State University. To this union three loving sons were born: Ivan, Arthur, and Amir Cotman.
Ivan was civic minded and participated energetically with numerous organizations. He served as an elected member of the Detroit Board of Education; board member, United Way of Southeastern Michigan; Midwest Vice President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the thirty-third president of Gamma Lambda Chapter in Detroit. His volunteer work involved projects in Israel, Nigeria and Dubai, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Roots Committee and Moors Men Club.
Ivan transitioned on March 4, 2019 following a full and enjoyable life. In addition to his wife and sons, he leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters in law; Rene and Cassandra: four grandsons Brandon, Jacob, Gray, Amir, Jr; three granddaughters, Janae, Chloe and Allie and a host of friends, fraternity brothers and colleagues.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Gamma Lambda Education Foundation P.O. Box 441763 Detroit, MI 48244