Purdue News
Purdue NewsHe will succeed Grant Kepner on Oct. 24. Kepner is retiring on that date after more than 30 years as the university's first director of safety and security.
"Bill Coghill brings a solid background and great experience to this position," said Wayne W. Kjonaas, vice president for physical facilities. "I know he will build on the excellence of Purdue Safety and Security, and I look forward to working closely with him."
Coghill currently is assistant director of the Department of Building Services and Grounds at Purdue, a position he has held since 1992. Kjonaas said Coghill will relinquish his current duties immediately and work with Kepner during a transition period over the next month.
The director of safety and security has administrative responsibility for the Purdue Police Department, Purdue Fire Department, Fire Protection and Special Services, Fire and Safety Equipment Service, and Parking Facilities. In the past few years, Kepner additionally has served as Purdue police chief, but that position will be filled separately in an appointment to be made by Coghill.
Among previous Purdue appointments, Coghill served as superintendent of building services, day general foreman, special projects foreman, fire and safety inspector, and police officer and detective. His law-enforcement background also includes a tenure as Carroll County Sheriff and earlier service as a deputy sheriff and patrol officer with the Carroll County Sheriff's Department.
Coghill holds two Purdue degrees: a bachelor's in U.S. history and a master's in higher
education administration and supervision. He also is a graduate of the Indiana Law
Enforcement Academy.
CONTACT: Kjonaas, (765) 494-8000; Coghill, (765) 494-7108.
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
