Norval C. Kneten

Norval C. Kneten began his presidency at Barton College on July 1, 2003.  Previously, he had been Provost and Academic Vice President at Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln, NE, and, Dean of Science and Humanities at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, TX.  While at Texas Wesleyan, he held a variety of positions including Chair of the Chemistry Department, Director of Pre-Professional Studies, Director of Graduate Studies, and Vice President for College Relations.  His academic credentials include the Ph.D. degree for Inorganic Chemistry from the University of Minnesota and a baccalaureate degree in chemistry with high honors from Texas Lutheran College.  He holds the academic rank of Professor of Chemistry.

Dr. Kneten is a native Texan whose family immigrated in the late nineteenth century to the rich farmland of South Texas to escape the disruptions and violence of the times in eastern Germany.  His wife, Susan, is a native of Fort Worth whose family has roots in Arkansas.

Dr. Kneten’s career has been entirely in independent higher education and in which he has been focused on the success of his students.  Of the many recognitions he has received, he is proudest of the Golden Rule Award, an award given by freshmen students for outstanding teaching.  He was named the Earl Brown Distinguished Professor and has received numerous awards for civic service.

Dr. Kneten has significant experience in teaching elementary teachers hands-on discovery techniques in physical science.  His work in this area was funded for eight years by the Eisenhower Grants Program of the Department of Education and involved teachers in air and space science experiences.

Throughout his teaching career, he collaborated with his senior level chemistry students in pursuing research that resulted in presentations at regional American Chemical Society conferences.  Topics included photodecomposition of PCB’s, heavy metal ion analysis in brackish waters, molecular modeling, and intermittent photo-excitation of catalytic intrinsic semiconductor systems.

In addition, Dr. Kneten has presented in national forums on “Improving Science Programs at Independent Colleges and Universities,” “The Promise of the Liberal Arts Degree,” “The Changing Landscape of Higher Education,” and “The Role of Education in a Transformed World.”  He was designated a Lily Fellow in the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and Arts, a program dedicated to exploring the relevance of church affiliation for institutions of higher education.

More recently in Wilson and at Barton, he was appointed the co-chair of the community strategic planning effort – Wilson 20|20, he is on the boards of the Wilson County United Way and the Wilson Rotary Club, and he is an active and contributing member of the greater Wilson community.  His service to higher education includes membership in the Presidents Council and service as the Vice-President of Conference Carolinas, a DII NCAA athletic conference.  He is also a member of the executive committee of the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities organization.