Hawkinson Announces Upcoming Retirement as KU President

Hawkinson Announces Upcoming Retirement as KU President

August 23, 2024

KUTZTOWN, Pa. - The President of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, announced his upcoming retirement at the university's 2024 Faculty and Staff Convocation and Celebration, Friday morning, Aug. 23. Hawkinson, the 12th president of KU, said he would step down next summer (2025, date to be determined). He will have completed 10 years as president at that time.

According to Hawkinson:

"Being president of Kutztown University has been an amazing gift … a gift totally unexpected … perhaps this is why it was so sweet. I came filled with idealism and a desire to share a lifetime of experience and knowledge with this institution and community - that idealism still stands strong, though tempered a bit, through the harsh realities we have suffered through… particularly in recent years… but I like to think that much good has been accomplished in the last nine years… but, there is a time for every season… and, as I am now going into my 10th year … and I will turn 69-years-old next June … it is time to pass this wonderful gift to someone else… and so I am announcing my intent to retire as president of Kutztown University next summer. It will give the university a full year to conduct a national search and to allow a smooth transition to a new president."

Hawkinson began his tenure at KU in 2015 and can list numerous accomplishments during his time in office. He presided over seven years of a balanced budget, six years of a tuition freeze, partnered with the KU Foundation on its $47 million comprehensive campaign and a doubling of its endowment to more than $40 million, the establishment of a new strategic plan and general education program and numerous construction projects across campus. This included the renovation of the former campus Professional Building into the DeLightE. Breidegam Building: headquarters of the Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center; the addition of the new Wells-Rapp Center for Mallet Percussion Research; the renovation of the de Francesco Building, home to the KU College of Business; the creation of the Nancy Jean Stump Seiger '54 Botanical Research Center; the renovation and installation of Keystone Field, home to Golden Bear women's soccer, women's lacrosse and KU intramural and club sports; and the installation of the Keith Haring Fitness Court. The new Admissions Welcome Center, at the old Poplar House location, is currently under construction and will be dedicated in spring 2025.

Working with his leadership team, Hawkinson established a merit-based scholarship program by increasing institutional aid from about 2% in 2015 to about 14% in 2023. New student enrollment increased the last three years with a 1.7% increase in full-time enrollment (FTE) this past year. Retention increased from 72% five years ago to 79%. The academic profile of new students also increased.

Hawkinson also developed programs and initiatives to recruit underrepresented faculty to diversify academic departments and other units throughout the university. Since 2015, enrollment of minority students has increased from 15% to 26%.

Hawkinson began his tenure as 12th president of Kutztown University July 1, 2015. Before coming to KU, he spent 27 years at Western Illinois University, where he served as a faculty member, department chair, associate dean, associate provost and finally provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. 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.

After earning his associates degree at Elgin Community College in 1976, Hawkinson went on to earn 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 (Waa-ga-doo-goo), Burkina Faso, West Africa, and conducted research in African folklore and oral tradition.

Hawkinson proudly served on active duty as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army for three years. He served in Germany as a platoon leader, a weapons platoon leader and as a public affairs officer. He also served as a field artillery officer in the Illinois National Guard, and in the Army Reserve. He has been a member of the American Legion in Illinois for nearly 30 years.

President Hawkinson's full public announcement of his retirement will be posted in the near future.

Below are links that outline the policies regarding the search process for president of a university at an institution within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, of which KU is a member. Additional information and a timeline will be forthcoming.

2021-50 Process for Recommending Presidential Appointment.pdf (passhe.edu)

Policy 1983-13-A.pdf (passhe.edu)