Lester Lefton Lester Lefton - Kent State University

Dr. Lester A. Lefton and his wife, Linda J. Lefton Photograph by B o b C h r i s t y, ‘ 9 5
izing on innovative faculty
research. I saw enormous,
untapped potential in the
form of a brilliant faculty,
caring staff and talented
students and alumni. Most
of all, I saw an opportunity
to make a positive
difference for thousands
of people and countless
communities served by the
university.
KSM: Your experience
includes a major role
in rebuilding Tulane
University in the aftermath
of Hurricane
Katrina. What lessons
from that can you apply
to your new role?
LL: The experience of
helping rebuild Tulane —
virtually from “scratch” —
left me with great clarity
about the core values and
processes that make a university,
and with a heightened
understanding of what
higher education is all about.
It affirmed how cohesively
a faculty and an administration
can work together to
serve students. And it left no
doubt about the most basic —
and most important —
building blocks of a university:
its people.
KSM: Everyone who
helped New Orleans
recover should be proud.
Of what other accomplishments
are you
proud?
LL: I am most proud of
my family. My wife is a talented,
smart, sensitive person
who is my best friend.
My two daughters have
been a source of constant
pride and delight. And not
much can top the pride and
joy I felt 16 weeks ago, when
I held my new grandson.
Professionally, I am
proud of my introductory
psychology textbook,
which has helped
educate thousands of
students nationwide. It
also is gratifying to have
initiated and facilitated a
number of leading-edge
programs and curricular
revisions at the University
p a g e