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budget, planning and personnel, where he oversaw all aspects
of academic affairs, including contract administration, sum-
mer 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 has had a long and impressive academic
career,” said Board of Governors Chair Guido M. Pichini ’74.
“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, Hawkinson was 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.
“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.”
Hawkinson said he is “honored” to be named the next presi-
dent 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. “I am 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.”
“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 ’68, chair of the KU
Council of Trustees and of the presidential search committee.
“Dr. Hawkinson brings a strong combination of administra-
tive experience and academic credentials and a record of proven
success to our campus. He has 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.”
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, dur-
ing 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.
“We are extremely
pleased to have Kenneth
Hawkinson as the 12th
president in the long and
storied history of
Kutztown University,”
— John “Jack” Wabby ’68,
chair, KU Council of Trustees
Top: Hawkinson and his wife Ann
Marie Hayes-Hawkinson enter the
MSU to be introduced to the KU
community in March. Center:
Hawkinson meets KU’s most prominent
resident, Avalanche. Bottom: Hawkinson
is welcomed by Guido M. Pichini ’74,
chair of the State System Board of
Governors and member of the KU
Council of Trustees.
the principalS
anD preSiDentS of
KutZtownuniVerSitY
Keystone state
normal school
John S. ermentrout
Principal, 1866—1871
abraham r. horne
Principal, 1872—1877
nathan c. Schaeffer
Principal, 1877—1893
george B. hancher
Principal, 1893—1899
amos c. rothermel
Principal, 1899—1928
Kutztown state
teachers College
amos c. rothermel
President, 1928—1934
Quincy a. w. rorhbach
President, 1934—1959
Kutztown state
College
italo defrancesco
President, 1959—1967
cyrus e. Beekey
President, 1967—1969
lawrence M. Stratton
President, 1969—1983
Kutztown university
lawrence M. Stratton
President, 1983—1987
david e. Mcfarland
President, 1988—2002
f. Javier cevallos
President, 2002—2014
Kenneth S. hawkinson
President, 2015