The Goddard College Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of Robert P. Kenny as the 11th president of Goddard College, where he has been serving in an interim appointment since April 30, 2014. The board recently voted unanimously to convert his interim contract to a three-year appointment as president starting July 1, 2015.
“Goddard has been in a time of transition since former president Dr. Barbara Vacarr stepped down in January of 2014, and we are pleased with the work Bob has done to bring stability to the College,” said Board Chair Avram Patt. “The College is on much stronger footing as a result of Bob’s collaborative leadership with faculty and staff. With their support, we are pleased to offer him the presidency.”
“I am plphoto by Stefan Hardeased to accept the role of president and humbled by the confidence placed in me,” said Kenny. “In addition I am thankful for the work of the whole Goddard community in addressing the challenges with which we were presented this past year, and to which we dedicate our continued efforts moving forward.”
Kenny was previously the vice president of finance and administration at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. From 2008 to 2011, he had overseen finance and administration as well as academic affairs at Goddard College. Prior to that, he had served in administrative roles and as a professor of business at St. Michael’s College. Kenny received his M.B.A. from the University of Vermont in 1981.
About Goddard College
Goddard College was initially founded in 1863 as the Goddard Seminary in Barre, Vt. The College moved to its current Plainfield campus and was chartered in 1938 by founding President Royce “Tim” Pitkin. In 1963, Goddard became the first U.S. college to offer low-residency adult degree programs, and now offers accredited MA, MFA, BA, and BFA degree programs from Plainfield and sites in Seattle and Port Townsend, Wash. Goddard’s intensive, low-residency, student-centered model offers the best of on-campus and distance learning, with experienced faculty advisors, rigorous campus residencies, and the freedom to study from anywhere. More at goddard.edu.