Purdue News
Purdue News
Stephen J. Akers, executive associate dean of students, will become interim dean of students, also effective July 1.
Hawkins will succeed David B. Henson, who accepted the presidency of Lincoln University in Missouri last week.
"Tony Hawkins emerged as a strong consensus candidate in the course of my interviews with all department heads and other senior staff within the Office of Student Services," said Robert L. Ringel, executive vice president for academic affairs. "He is viewed by his colleagues as a person with a broad perspective on the entire student services area and an outstanding relationship with our student body. I fully expect him to build on the good work of David Henson in overseeing the programs and services that are so vitally important to the academic success of Purdue students."
Ringel said a search for Henson's permanent successor will get under way beginning in the new academic year in August, but the scope of the search has yet to been determined.
"In the meantime, I know we will not miss a beat with Tony's able leadership," he said.
On Akers' appointment, Hawkins said: "I have every confidence in Steve. As a staff member who has worked his way up through the ranks, he knows all aspects of the Office of the Dean of Students and its philosophy. He will serve students, staff and the university very well."
Hawkins has a 24-year affiliation with areas that report to Purdue's vice president for student services, beginning in 1973 as a graduate assistant in the Office of Admissions, then as a staff member in the Division of Financial Aid. He became a counselor in the Office of the Dean of Students in 1975, and was named assistant dean in 1977 and associate dean in 1980. He became interim dean of students in 1995 upon the retirement of Betty M. Nelson, and was appointed dean of students last year.
A native of Roxboro, N.C. , Hawkins graduated from Mars Hill College in his home state in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in English education. He earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling from Appalachian State University in 1970 and a doctorate in counseling and student personnel administration from Purdue in 1980.
Purdue's vice president for student services has senior administrative oversight on a range of programs and services on the West Lafayette campus, including the Office of Admissions, Office of the Dean of Students, Division of Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar, Purdue Bands, Purdue Musical Organizations, University Placement Service, Reserve Officers' Training Corps, Division of Recreational Sports, Purdue Convocations and Lectures, and the Student Health Center.
Akers joined the dean of students office in 1971 as assistant dean of men. A Greencastle, Ind. , native, he holds three Purdue degrees: a bachelor's in agricultural business management (1965), a master's in industrial relations (1967) and a doctorate in counseling and personnel services (1970). Among his current duties as executive associate dean are coordinating adaptive programs for students with disabilities and serving as a resource person regarding the university's harassment policy and procedures.
The dean of students administers a variety of support services for the 35,000 students on the West Lafayette campus. Staff members oversee more than 500 student organizations, provide academic, career and personal counseling, and handle student discipline matters.
Sources: Robert L. Ringel, (765) 494-9709
L. Tony Hawkins, (765) 494-1239; e-mail, lthawk@delta.reg.purdue.edu
Stephen J. Akers, (765) 494-1242; e-mail, sjakers@odos.purdue.edu
Writer: Greg Zawisza, (765) 494-2086; e-mail, greg_zawisza@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A photograph of L. Tony Hawkins is available from Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2096.
