Lex O. McMillan III, Albright College
Age: 65
Hometown: Born in Paul’s Valley, Okla. Grew up in Decatur, Ga.
Family: Married to Dorothy Argoe McMillan; five adult children (three sons and two daughters) and two grandsons, with a third due in November.
Years in current position: 10+
What about the institution drew you to apply as its president?
The liberal arts mission; strong academic reputation; national recognition for range and variety of our arts programs; an outstanding faculty with impressive scholarly credentials and unswerving commitment to excellent teaching; and much more.
How would you describe the relationship between Albright and the Berks community?
Strong and positive; we value our role as one of the oldest of the county’s “anchor institutions,” the first of the county’s institutions of higher learning, with a long heritage of contributing to the health and well-being of our community. We are also proud of our Shirk Scholars Program, our Center for Excellence in local government, our relationship with 13th and Union Elementary School and our award-winning Early Learning Center.
What do you feel makes Albright unique?
We are the only national liberal arts college in Berks; we offer a distinctive blend of strong academic courses in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and arts with a rigorous general education program that develops skills and aptitudes in all graduates that prepare them well for lives of leadership and service regardless of career. We also have a very successful accelerated degree program for adults, which was the first of its kind in our region.
What’s your idea of a fun day off?
I love being with my children. Fortunately, two of my sons are in Pennsylvania. When weather permits, a round of golf with friends or family is always a treat. I have a 27-speed Trek touring bike and enjoy exploring the back roads of Berks.
Name one thing you are proud of instituting at Albright.
I am very proud of our long-standing history of leadership in undergraduate science education, so funding and completing the long-overdue renovation and expansion of our Science Center was a landmark achievement.
Photo by Tania Colamarino, Ama Photography
Keith Hillkirk, Penn State Berks
Age: 68
Hometown: Cochranton, Pa.
Prior work experience: Professor and Assistant Dean at Ohio University; Dean of Education and Human Services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale; Chancellor at Penn State Schuylkill
Years in current position: 4
What about the institution drew you to apply?
Penn State Berks has a rich history, having inherited the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute location and then moving to its present location more than 40 years ago. Its size of about 3,000 students is ideal in that there are many academic and co-curricular choices for students in a small college atmosphere.
How would you describe the relationship between the college and the Berks community?
We have a close-knit and mutually beneficial relationship with the Greater Reading community. Each semester between 400 to 500 Penn State Berks students are serving, working and learning through internship experiences across the Greater Reading community. These internships reflect collaborations with businesses, companies, government and non-profit partners that benefit the community and prepare our graduates for rewarding careers and lives.
What does the future hold for Penn State Berks?
Each year the number of students who opt to enroll in one of our 20 four-year degrees increases, which translates into larger numbers of third- and fourth-year students. This increase in turn translates into an older and more experienced student body and has positive effects on student government, leadership of clubs and organizations, athletics and many other aspects of campus life.
What's your idea of a fun day off?
I love to spend time outdoors and like to fly fish, kayak and jog.
Name one thing you are proud of instituting at Penn State Berks.
As mentioned earlier, I'm excited about the work I'm doing with faculty and staff colleagues here to add additional four-year degrees that prepare students for success in their careers and in life, and [ I'm excited] to see Penn State Berks continue to thrive and grow.
Anna D. Weitz, D.Ed., Reading Area Community College
Age: 68
Hometown: South Portland, Maine
Prior work experience: President of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and 30+ years in higher education
Years in current position: 8
What about the institution drew you to apply as its president?
I was impressed by how well-established the college was and how the community really adopted RACC as a place of opportunity. The community was clearly invested in the success of the institution and also revered the role it plays in helping improve the city and county.
What do you feel makes RACC unique?
The full range of educational opportunities we offer – from GED to academic honors programs, workforce development to dual admissions – and articulation agreements with prestigious four-year colleges and universities sets RACC apart. Our Schmidt Training and Technology Center is also a nationally renowned resource for advanced manufacturing, and the Miller Center of the Arts hosts top-notch performances in the arts.
What does the future hold for RACC?
RACC will expand our existing programs and develop new programs in flexible formats, including online learning, which will allow us to meet the ever-evolving needs of our students. It is important that we meet students where they are and help them be successful in the format that works best for them.
What’s your idea of a fun day off?
I enjoy exploring for antiques in Berks County and Greater Reading.
Name one thing you are proud of instituting at RACC.
Expanded financial and scholarship support for workforce programs that allow people to become employed quickly. Often, financial and other monetary support is limited for these short-term career programs. We recognized the need for expanded access to these programs for those who had the desire to pursue education, to allow them to find a job quickly to support their families.
Photo by Dan Z. Johnson
Ken Hawkinson, Kutztown University
Age: 58
Hometown: Carpentersville (Chicago suburb) and Macomb, Ill.
Family: Married to Ann Marie Hayes-Hawkinson. We have a son, Jivan Deglise-Hawkinson
Prior work experience: Provost and Academic Vice President at Western Illinois University
Years in current position: Began July 2015
What about the institution drew you to apply as its president?
KU and the community were similar to the institution and community where I have lived and worked for the last 27 years. It was my hope to find a mid-size, comprehensive university in a rural setting. KU is an ideal setting for me, as the university is the educational and cultural center for the region and is located in a small, caring, engaged community. In addition, KU is a beautiful campus with highly motivated faculty and staff with high-quality and exciting programs available for the students.
How would you describe the relationship between the college/university and the Berks community?
During my interview and announcement visits, I heard only praise about the relationships among the local communities and the university.
What does the future hold for Kutztown?
Growth in students, new and exciting programs, and the continued enhancement of the facilities on campus.
What's your idea of a fun day off?
A fun day off would involve several hours of reading a favorite novel (historical fiction), a long run/walk out in nature, and a dinner with friends.
Name one thing you look forward to tackling as president at KU.
Learning all I can about the institution, students, programs, faculty, staff and community, and being able to match my skills and knowledge to the needs brought forth to me.
Photo by Ed Kopicki
Thomas F. Flynn, Ph.D., Alvernia University
Hometown: Boston, Mass.
Family: Married to Helen. One son, Daniel.
Prior work experience: Senior Advisor for the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC); Provost and subsequently President at Millikin University, Ill.; Professor of English and Dean of the College, Mount Saint Mary's College, Md.
Years in current position: 10
What about the institution drew you to apply as its president?
I was impressed by the strong spirit of campus community. It centered on a passionate, shared commitment by people of diverse backgrounds to our Franciscan core values. Alvernia is the only school in my career where the trustees and presidential search committee highlighted community service and civic leadership as a top priority. And as it does with our students, Alvernia’s beautiful location and campus closed the deal.
How would you describe the relationship between Alvernia and the Berks community?
Alvernia’s close connection to the community is embedded in our heritage. Just this year, the Carnegie Foundation named Alvernia one of the few in Pennsylvania and only 361 nationally to receive its prestigious Community Engagement Classification, and the President’s Higher Education Honor Roll listed Alvernia as one of only four institutions in the state on its Interfaith Community Service Honor Roll.
What do you feel makes Alvernia unique?
The Franciscan ideal of “knowledge joined with love,” rooted in the Catholic and liberal arts traditions, animates how we teach, administer and serve. We take seriously our role as the area’s leader in graduate and doctoral education and as a university known for high quality healthcare and human service programs.
What does the future hold for Alvernia?
This fall we launch a fully subscribed Doctor of Physical Therapy program and new majors in finance, healthcare administration and environmental biochemistry. We are excited by the development of a Recreation, Wellness and Health Sciences Complex on our new East Campus adjoining Angelica Park. And we believe that our Reading Collegiate Scholars program will help ensure that talented inner city students attend and graduate from college.
What’s your idea of a fun day off?
I love to travel (especially to Ireland) but am also a beach bum who relishes reading the latest novels and enjoying time with family and friends.