Kutztown University hosted Presidential Candidate open forums open to students, faculty and community members last week which continue this week.
Candidates Dr. Carol Bresnahan, Dr. Lorrie Clemo and Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson visited campus for open forums, meetings and tours last week.
The Patriot spoke with those attending the Jan. 30 candidate forum for Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson.
Julie Fiorini, a secretary in the Dean’s Office of the College of Liberal Arts Sciences, attended forums for all three candidates and had plans of going to future forums for the other two candidates.
“I believe it is important for everyone to be involved in the search for a new President and it’s important to be involved in this process,” said Fiorini. “I’ve learned that we have a very diverse pool of candidates and I’m looking forward to seeing how the University votes and what that person will bring to the future of Kutztown.”
Kutztown residents Joe and Diane Piscitelli attended forums for candidates on behalf of Kutztown Community Partnership.
“The search committee was very good about including us,” said Diane. “We want to keep the continuity going of our community relationship with the University. It’s so important to be cohesive with one another and have an open discussion with one another to prevent issues from happening and when they do happen to resolve the issue.”
Talking about the benefits of the open forums, Diane said, “For us as residents, it’s been wonderful.”
The Kutztown couple, on behalf of KCP, also took each of the candidates on a tour of Kutztown.
“It was nice to get to know them on a little bit more of a personal and relaxed level. It’s been a very good experience,” she said.
Diane said KCP members and Kutztown Borough Council members have attended breakfasts with candidates, which are not open to the public.
“It was nice getting to know who the candidates are,” said Diane.
While community members cannot vote for the new President, Diane said they can complete a survey for the Search Committee. “That’s helpful for us.”
Hawkinson spoke briefly to The Patriot.
“I want the community to be aware of how much we value the relationship between the University community and the local community,” said Hawkinson.
His hope, if he becomes President, is to meet with community leaders to “bring about university and community development together, to be partners in bringing in new businesses, new restaurants, to do all we can to increase our joint population that will lead to greater prosperity in both areas.”
Open forums continue this week for candidates Dr. James F. Conneely and Dr. Lori Quigley, with scheduled events Feb. 4 to 5 and Feb. 6 to 7, respectively.
Conneely previously served as Associate Provost and Vice President for Student Affairs at Eastern Kentucky University and more recently as President, Professor of Education at Notre Dame Of Maryland University, as well as other higher education positions.
In a letter to the Presidential Search Committee, Conneely wrote, “I have demonstrated success in creating a positive, collaborative, and engaged work environment which will energize Kutztown’s mission ” … to provide a high quality education…the undergraduate and graduate levels…to prepare students to meet lifelong intellectual, ethical, social, and career challenges.” I believe my experiences as a leader in higher education strongly align with the desired qualifications in the next President. Additionally, the values of community, shared governance, excellence, inclusiveness, and integrity are fundamental principles that I hold in great esteem.”
Quigley has been serving as Dean and Professor of Literacy Education at The Sage Colleges in New York since 2010. She previously served as Associate Dean at the School of Education at Buffalo State College, State University of New York.
In a letter to the Presidential Search Committee, she wrote, “In my career, I have achieved a demonstrated record of moving ideas into action with a commitment to a shared vision, transparency, and effective personnel management. As an individual with integrity, high energy and humor, I have established myself as a visionary, skilled and collegial senior administrator committed to academic excellence, innovative thinking, active community engagement, equity and diversity, and professional development – the ingredients that I hope you will agree make me the right fit for this prestigious leadership position and the university.”
For more information about the candidates and for a schedule of visits to campus, visit http://www2.kutztown.edu/news-and-media/announcements/presidential-search/candidates.htm.
Also read our previous article with more details at http://www.berksmontnews.com/general-news/20150126/5-kutztown-university-presidential-candidates-to-visit-campus-participate-in-open-forums-and-meetings-with-students-faculty-unions-community.
