Sacks named senior advisor

Howard Sacks, a long-time member of the faculty, has been named by President S. Georgia Nugent to the post of senior advisor to the president. He will also continue to serve on the College's sociology faculty.

"I am delighted that Howard has agreed to rejoin the administration, because I know that he will make a very important contribution to Kenyon," says Nugent. "His years of experience in working with the people of Knox County are invaluable in developing and advancing our local outreach efforts.

"In addition, Howard brings something special to this role, because I have found that his particular skills and style provide an exceptionally effective complement to mine," she notes. "To put it simply: working with Howard really enables me to accomplish more, better and faster. And that's a benefit to the College, with the high aspirations we have for the future."

"I'm very pleased to be taking on this role, especially as we plan for a major campaign," says Sacks. "These are exciting times for Kenyon, and I'm glad to be part of the process of moving the College forward.

"And it's a joy working with Georgia," he adds. "Her personal energy and enthusiasm for Kenyon are truly infectious. I greatly admire the way in which she invites everyone into an ongoing conversation about what is best for the College and the community."

Sacks describes his position, which will continue through the end of the upcoming comprehensive campaign in June 2010, as providing essential support to the president as she takes on an even more demanding schedule during the ambitious fundraising effort. He notes that there are many other initiatives of importance to Nugent to which he can devote his attention and skills.

At present, his primary responsibility is for campaign planning, working closely with both Nugent and Vice President for College Relations Sarah Kahrl. Sacks is serving as coordinator of the five work groups-on admissions and financial aid, the arts, curriculum and faculty development, residential and student life, and student citizenship and international programming-that are examining areas of need to be addressed by the campaign.

Sacks' new duties will include planning and implementation of programs to enhance Kenyon's engagement with individuals and other institutions and businesses in Knox County. Food for Thought, a collaboration between the College and area farmers to bring locally produced foods into Kenyon's dining halls, is an example of the type of programming he hopes to develop.

Sacks will also focus on an initiative intended to build on the enthusiasm for current affairs evidenced by the community during last year's presidential campaign. He and Nugent will explore ways to generate a continuing campus dialogue about the issues of the day, perhaps with the participation of distinguished visitors.

During the 2005-06 academic year, Sacks will teach the sociology department's year-long "Fieldwork" course-which, he notes, will dovetail nicely with his work on Food for Thought. He expects to be able to offer one or two courses each year. "Teaching is very important to me," he says. "I don't want to abandon it."

Sacks joined the Kenyon faculty in 1975. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University, he holds a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. Sacks and his wife, Judith Rose Sacks, are the parents of Hannah Sacks, a first-year student at the College.