WILSON, N.C. — Dr. Kelly M. Thompson, vice president for external relations at Barton College, has been named the 26th president of Culver Stockton College in Canton, Mo. Her appointment will be effective on July 1.
“Since her appointment at Barton in May 2007, Dr. Thompson has served the College with great integrity and a vision for its future, moving forward an ambitious agenda for student recruitment, marketing, and fund-raising initiatives,” said Dr. Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College. “Throughout her tenure at Barton, as chief enrollment officer and chief advancement officer, and as interim provost for six months last year, she has demonstrated repeatedly a strong leadership acumen in her administrative roles on campus, provided sound advice and counsel as a valued member of the president’s senior cabinet, and guided staff and faculty in developing and nurturing invaluable relationships throughout the local and regional communities. I am grateful for her many contributions to Barton and wish her much success in her new presidential role. She will be missed by friends, colleagues, and students alike.”
Dr. Thompson joined the Barton administration on May 21, 2007. Serving as vice president for external relations, her responsibilities have included oversight of enrollment management, institutional advancement, public relations, publications, and web services. She also served as interim provost for Barton College throughout a six-month search during the 2012-2013 academic year. In addition to serving as a member of the President’s Senior Cabinet, Dr. Thompson has led Barton’s Marketing and Recruitment Initiatives Team as well as the Board of Trustees’ Growth and Marketing Task Force.
“It is a bittersweet time for me as I look forward with anticipation and excitement to the presidency at Culver-Stockton College and look back with fondness and gratitude for Barton College colleagues, students, and friends with whom I have developed treasured relationships,” shared Dr. Thompson. “I have grown to love Barton College and Wilson and will miss being a part of this warm and welcoming community. Throughout my tenure at Barton, Dr. Kneten has extended a wealth of administrative and professional development opportunities that have well prepared me for this new role. I am thankful for my Barton Experience—for Dr. and Mrs. Kneten, trustees, and administrative colleagues with whom I have worked alongside, for the talented staff and faculty with whom I have been privileged to supervise, for the diversity of students who have inspired me everyday, and for the opportunity to welcome alumni and donors into the vibrant life of this College.”
A native of Chicago, Ill., Dr. Thompson completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre at the University of Illinois in Champaign, and earned a Master of Arts degree in Communications and Theatre at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She completed a C.A.S. in Educational Leadership at National-Louis University in Chicago and earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Prior to joining the Barton administration, Dr. Thompson served as group vice president for enrollment and marketing at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mich. Other professional appointments have included vice president for enrollment management at National-Louis University in Chicago, and Executive Director-Wisconsin Campus in Milwaukee for National-Louis University.
“Dr. Gary Daynes, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Barton College, will provide interim supervision for the enrollment management and institutional advancement divisions,” continued Dr. Kneten. “His administrative experience and expertise will provide a seamless transition during this interim period of leadership for these administrative divisions on campus.” Details of a vice president search process will be shared with the campus community in the coming weeks.
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