- - It was a very difcult and confusing time because the guidance from the federal and state governments, and from PASSHE, changed constantly. I was committed to serving our students by providing as traditional a college experience as possible while following the many directives on safety, social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitizing facilities. It was extremely challenging to reopen. We gave students a choice: they could stay or go home – about 1,800 wanted to stay to be together. We had about 85 percent of our classes online, but I wanted students to have the opportunity to have face to face classes. Technology enabled us to livestream classes, so students could go to class or stay in their hall room or at home and take the class. It was all about choice. I appreciate the many contributions Ann Marie has made to the university during our time here. She has entertained countless guests and been an Although other PASSHE schools have merged, Kutztown University has not only survived under President Hawkinson’s strong leadership, but continues to have steady student enrollment and, at the same time, has balanced its fiscal budget for a remarkable eight straight years without pulling from its reserves. – ROBERT GRIM, ESQ., KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY TRUSTEE When you became president, you could never have anticipated you would be leading the university during a global pandemic. KU was one of very few campuses offering a residential experience in fall 2020. What was it like to lead during that time? One of your projects was the transformation of the president’s house into a gallery. Can you talk about that project and about your wife Ann Marie’s role in its creation? Left: Alex Ogeka, KU Foundation executive director; Nancy Jean Stump Seiger ’54 and President Hawkinson FALL 2025 | TOWER 15
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