Lester Lefton Lester Lefton - Kent State University

Photograph by B o b C h r i s t y, ‘ 9 5
Lefton tours the Oak Clinic for
Multiple Sclerosis with founder
James Oelschlager. Kent State
has a research partnership with
the clinic.
of South Carolina, George
Washington University and
Tulane University.
Looking ahead, I would
be proud to say that I
encouraged Kent State’s
faculty, staff and students
to dream of a greater university
and worked with
them step by step to realize
many of those dreams.
Through a transparent and
collaborative approach to
education and outreach,
I believe we can improve
the experience of every
Kent State student and
employee, and that we can
be a leader in revitalizing
Northeast Ohio’s economy.
In loftier terms, I would
like to help take this gem
of an institution and make
its multiple campuses the
brightest jewel in the crown
of Ohio higher education.
KSM: What will it
take for Kent State
to become that crown
jewel?
LL: To meet the growing
needs of our campuses and
our state, we must increase
the size and quality of the
faculty. That includes adding
endowed chairs and
professorships that attract
world-class scholars. We
also need to complete technological
enhancements
such as bringing wireless
capability to every classroom
and residence hall.
And we must ensure that
students and faculty on
every campus have access
to first-tier laboratories and
teaching spaces.
KSM: What other
challenges are critical
to Kent State’s future?
LL: As the number of
high school graduates going
on to college decreases,
Kent State will be challenged
to keep enrollment
robust. We must rethink
and intensify our efforts to
inform prospective students
about the quality experience
offered on our campuses.
And we should enroll more
out-of-state students, which
will help the bottom line
and create a more diverse
learning environment.
It is imperative that we
improve our track record
in recruiting and retaining
students and faculty of color.
We must retain our current
students and help ensure
that they graduate and succeed.
This will enhance our
reputation and expand our
ability to meet the needs of
Ohio employers.
KSM: Tackling such
challenges undoubtedly
will require private support.
You have stressed
the need to develop a
“culture of philanthropy.”
What do you mean?
Kent State’s New President
At-a-Glance
Name:
Lester A. Lefton
Age:
60
Hometown:
Boston
Education:
B.A., psychology, Northeastern University, 1969
Ph.D., experimental psychology, University of
Rochester, 1974
Career Capsule:
Senior vice president for academic affairs and provost,
Tulane University, 2001-06
Dean, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, George
Washington University, 1997-2001
Professor, psychology department chair and dean,
College of Liberal Arts, University of South Carolina,
1972-1997
Family:
Wife, Linda J. Lefton
Two daughters, Sarah and Jesse; son-in-law,
Amit; new grandson, Zeve
Hobbies:
Exercising
Creating stained-glass windows
All things related to theatre
Special love of Australian Aboriginal art
Lefton talks with students at the Black United Students (BUS) picnic
prior to the start of fall semester.
LL: I refer to a culture
in which alumni recognize
and embrace their unique
opportunity to provide critical
resources for their alma
mater — support for top
faculty and staff, scholarships,
facilities from biology
labs to baseball diamonds,
Photograph by G a r y H a r w o o d , ‘ 8 3
and most important, for an
endowment that provides a
perpetual financial safety net.
There is no question
that we have loyal alumni,
including thousands of
graduates who remember
their college days fondly,
follow Golden Flash teams
p a g e
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