Kutztown University introduced its 12th President, Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, to the campus and Kutztown area community during a meet and greet event on March 17.
A crowd of KU students, faculty and local community members gathering in the McFarland Student Union Multipurpose Room. Cheerleaders lined up in front of the side entrance while the KU Marching Band played. Anticipating the big moment, the crowd cheered as the door opened to reveal… Avalanche the Golden Bear, KU’s mascot.
With much fanfare, the University campus community and Kutztown area community then welcomed the 12th President of KU, Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson and his wife, Ann Marie, as they walked by the cheerleaders and the cheering crowd to the stage.
After much applause, Hawkinson greeted the crowd. “As President barely 10 minutes, I’ve already been upstaged by a bear,” he said, receiving laughter from the audience.
Hawkinson expressed his gratitude to State System Chancellor Frank T. Brogan, Board of Governors Chair Guido M. Pichini, Kutztown University Council of Trustees Chair John “Jack” Wabby, the search committee, and everyone who assisted in the Presidential search process. He also thanked KU Acting President Dr. Carolos Vargas-Aburto for his long service to KU.
“My wife, Ann Marie, and I are very excited about joining the University and becoming active citizens of the town and region,” he said, introducing his wife. “During my interview, I was impressed by the passion and dedication of the students, faculty, staff, alumni and many others connected to the University and look forward to meeting with these many groups.”
Hawkinson said he always liked the adage, “When all is said and done, more is said than done.”
In the coming months, he hopes to continue learning about KU and, beginning on July 1, he will meet and speak with the community, both on campus and in the local area and region.
“Together, we will build on a firm foundation, a foundation that so many students, faculty, administrators and legislative leaders and other stake holders built over the many years of KU’s history. Together, we will identify the challenges before us, and then together, we will get things done.”
Hawkinson aims to work together to identify every opportunity to move KU forward as an institution. It was clear to him and his wife as soon as they stepped foot on campus that, “Kutztown University has strong values.”
Values he referred to that are highlighted in the KU Strategic Plan: academic excellence, community engagement, caring campus community and stewardship of the University and the structure. “These values make Kutztown University a special place.”
“We need to be vested in a place, a community in where we value what we do and where we value each other,” Hawkinson said. “I give you my commitment that I will do all that is possible to live up to the values of this institution, to serve the faculty, staff, community, alumni and students, to provide every opportunity possible, even in these difficult times, to help all those associated with this great University to attain their fullest potential.”
KU Student Government President Joe Scoboria welcomed the new President.
“Dr. Hawkinson has spent more than 30 years devoted to higher education,” said Scoboria to the crowd. “What stood out most about Dr. Hawkinson was his dedication and passion toward the students whom he has served. It is time to transition to change, not only at Kutztown University but across our State System. We’ve entrusted Dr. Hawkinson to lead us through the years to come. I look forward to working with Dr. Hawkinson as we all embark on the next chapter of our school’s history.”
Scoboria asked everyone to join him in welcoming to their “Golden Bear Family,” the 12th President of KU, Dr. Hawkinson.
Hawkinson and his wife, Ann Marie, spent time meeting members of the community, including Kutztown Mayor Sandy Green.
“I’m looking forward to working with him,” said Green after meeting the new President. “Town-Gown is so important.”
Green anticipates continuing the past practice of meeting with the KU President every 6 to 8 weeks. She believes it is so important for the town and university to collaborate.
“We’re connected. That was my platform, to build those Town-Gown relationships. It’s going well. More and more students are involved in our town. It’s that Kutztown University and Borough of Kutztown connection and that’s what we want and I know the new President will be a part of that as well,” said Green.
Diane Piscitelli of Kutztown Community Partnership was also eager to meet the new President.
“I’m looking forward to a new beginning. I think it’s good for the University, a fresh start,” she said.
The Patriot also had a chance to meet the new President.
“My wife and I are just so excited at being on such a beautiful campus in such a beautiful part of the world with the rolling hills. We were treated very graciously when we were here for the interview and we got very excited about becoming a member of not only the University community but the community of Kutztown as well,” Hawkinson told The Patriot.
He loves Kutztown’s quaintness, its beauty and the fact that it’s surrounded by nature, trees, the valley and the hills.
“The campus is just strikingly beautiful. I truly believe that the campus often plays a major role in the education of students and in providing a positive environment for the faculty and the people who work at the University. If you’re surrounded by beauty and history, the values that come from that history will imbed themselves in you and you’re a happier person and a more dedicated student and employee,” said Hawkinson.
The Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education on March 17 unanimously selected Hawkinson to be the next president of Kutztown University, effective July 1. Former President Dr. F. Javier Cevallos, who led the university for more than a decade, left last year to become president of Framingham State University in Framingham, Mass.
Kutztown University Council of Trustees Chair John “Jack” Wabby, who chaired the presidential search committee, commended the search committee and the search firm for presenting high caliber candidates, nationwide.
“Ken seemed to be an administrator who knew exactly what we had in mind. He was a perfect fit for Kutztown,” said Wabby.
“Dr. Hawkinson has had a long and impressive academic career,” Board of Governors Chair Guido M. Pichini said in a release. “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 wealth of knowledge and experience, we are confident he will be an excellent leader for Kutztown University.”
According to a press release, 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 in a press release. “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.”
According to the release, Dr. Hawkinson earned his bachelor’s in history from Western Illinois, and 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.
Also according to the release, prior to his appointment as provost at Western Illinois, Hawkinson served the university for four years as associate provost and associate vice president for budget, planning and personnel. Previously, he was associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication and chair of the Department of Communication. He 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. 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.
