Memorial celebrates Vilma Codner’s life, work toward fair financial aid

On Wednesday, Oct. 3, dozens of alumni, family, friends, and colleagues joined together to remember the life and contributions of Vilma E. Codner, former Assistant Director of Financial Aid, who passed away on July 29, 2018.

Having served the University for 31 years, Codner warmly supported the students she worked with and was a prominent symbol of positivity within the world of financial aid. When she first came to the University, Codner was one of only a handful of minority administrators. She showed unrelenting optimism throughout her illness, according to her colleagues.

“I hope today’s service is a time we can share not only the sorrow, but also celebrate Vilma’s life,” said Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid Robin Moscato as she welcomed attendees.

She recounted the shock and distress students and colleagues felt when they learned of her passing.

Deputy Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid Betty Ashwood, spoke next, recounting Codner’s natural confidence.

“Vilma Elaine Codner was her own woman,” Ashwood said. “And she approached her job as she approached life: on her own terms.”

She shared anecdotes about her time with Codner and highlighted Codner’s effusive personality and prominence in the financial aid office.

“We at the financial aid office like to think that we’re interchangeable as far as administrators go,” she said. “However, there are students who do not agree with that and they would only speak with Vilma. Vilma was their financial aid counselor.”

Ashwood also spoke poignantly about Codner’s vital role as a black administrator on campus.

“The students just gravitated toward her,” Ashwood said. “[She] intuitively knew whether a student wanted financial aid information [or] if they needed much more than that — to connect with someone who knew what it was to be a person of color at Princeton.”

“She was not just a representative of Princeton,” Ashwood remarked. “She was an ambassador, a beacon of hope and possibility … wherever she went.”

Codner’s husband, Wendell Codner, shared memories of his wife’s strength, drive, and unbounded kindness for everyone around her.

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“She had this very high emotional intelligence,” he said. “She was capable of arresting people into her emotional orbit. Once you’re in her orbit, then you are part of a select, magnificent group.”

Wendell Codner emphasized the importance of family and friends in Vilma Codner’s life. He recalled her dedication to her work and unbroken desire to return to the University, even while battling stage IV cancer.

Many friends, colleagues, and former students stood up to share some of their own memories and the personal impact Codner had on them. A few of her former students all told stories of receiving help from Codner after getting insufficient aid packages.

One alumnus from the Class of 1994 said he came to Codner and told her how he cried in his dorm room when he realized he could not afford tuition. However, his wife recounted, “She put on that white cape of hers and just made it all better.”

Rev. Dr. Theresa S. Thames, Associate Dean of the Office of the Dean of Religious Life, spoke last.

“Vilma has left us with a charge to keep. That charge is to love boldly and courageously. To love with integrity. To seek justice and hospitality. To welcome the stranger. And to do everything we can to conspire for the good,” she said.

The service was held at 4 p.m. in the Friend Center Convocation Room.