March 17, 2015

Kenneth S. Hawkinson named Kutztown University president

Contact: Kevin Hensil, khensil@passhe.edu

Dr. Hawkinson is provost of Western Illinois University, a position he has held since January 2012. He was hired there in 1988 as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication. He also is a former military officer, having served in the U.S. Army as both an Infantry officer and a public affairs officer.

“Dr. Hawkinson has had a long and impressive academic career,” said Board of Governors Chair Guido M. Pichini. “Starting out as a member of the faculty, he rose through the ranks at Western Illinois to become a key member of the administration. With his knowledge and experience, we are confident he will be an excellent leader for Kutztown University.”

As provost at Western Illinois, Dr. Hawkinson is responsible for areas including university planning, fiscal and enrollment management, curriculum and contract negotiations. He implemented significant changes to the university’s First Year Experience program, which resulted in a nearly 10 percent increase in the fall-to-spring retention rate. He meets weekly with the Faculty Senate and other faculty governance bodies, as well as with departments, other campus groups and student government, and participates in “town hall” meetings at the college and university levels.

“Dr. Hawkinson is a hands-on leader who understands every aspect of the campus community,” said State System Chancellor Frank T. Brogan. “He will be a good leader for Kutztown and a valuable addition to our outstanding cadre of presidents. I look forward to working with him on behalf of Kutztown University and the State System.”

Dr. Hawkinson said he is “honored” to be named the next president of Kutztown University.

“My wife, Ann Marie, and I are very excited about joining the university community and becoming active citizens of the town and region,” he said. “During my interview, I was impressed with the passion and dedication of the students, faculty, staff, alumni and the many others connected with the university, and look forward to meeting with these many groups after my arrival in July.

“I want to express my appreciation to Chancellor Frank Brogan, Board of Governors Chair Guido Pichini, Council of Trustees Chair Jack Wabby, the search committee, and all of the other many individuals who assisted with the search process.”

The Board’s action today comes at the conclusion of a national search for a successor to Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, who led the university for more than a decade before leaving last year to become president of Framingham State University in Framingham, Mass.

“We are extremely pleased to have Kenneth Hawkinson as the 12th president in the long and storied history of Kutztown University,” said John “Jack” Wabby, chair of the KU Council of Trustees and of the presidential search committee. “Dr. Hawkinson brings a strong combination of administrative experience and academic credentials and a record of proven success to our campus. He has also had valuable life experiences that have helped to mold him into the leader he is today. He is truly an outstanding fit for Kutztown University at this time and is the best person to guide our university into our next chapter. We feel very fortunate to land a candidate of his caliber.”

Mr. Wabby also thanked the members of the search committee, Chancellor Brogan and representatives from the State System who participated in the search. “I also want to thank the many members of the university community who provided input; Greenwood-Asher and Associates, our search firm, for their support; as well as the many high-quality candidates who pursued this opportunity,” Mr. Wabby said.

Dr. Hawkinson earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Western Illinois. He also has a Master of Arts in speech communication from the institution and a Ph.D. in speech communication/performance studies from Southern Illinois University. He was a Fulbright scholar from 1990-91, during which he taught American studies at the University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, in West Africa, and conducted research in African folklore and oral tradition. He also served for two years as a volunteer in the Peace Corps in Mali.

Prior to his appointment as provost at Western Illinois, Dr. Hawkinson served the university for four years as associate provost and associate vice president for budget, planning and personnel, where he oversaw all aspects of academic affairs, including contract administration, summer session and curriculum. Previously, he was associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication and chair of the Department of Communication.

Dr. Hawkinson began his academic career at Western Illinois as an assistant professor of communication, and later was promoted to associate, then full professor. He also was an adjunct professor in African American Studies and an instructor in the Honors Program. During his time on the faculty, he served as leader of both the Faculty Senate and the faculty union. He has published numerous articles and dozens of professional papers.

His research interests and creative pursuits include storytelling, oral tradition and performance of literature. Among his many dramatic presentations was a 2009 performance titled “Abe Lincoln,” given at the Western Illinois Museum in honor of Lincoln’s 200th birthday.

Dr. Hawkinson was in the U.S. Army for three years. After serving in the Illinois National Guard as a field artillery officer and executive officer for a field artillery battery, he joined the Army as an Infantry officer. He served in Germany as a platoon leader and a weapons platoon leader and as a public affairs officer.