OTTERBEIN COLLEGE TO INSTALL 20th AND FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT

Otterbein College will inaugurate its 20th president of the College, Dr. Kathy A. Krendl, during a two-day celebration on Friday, Oct. 23 and Saturday, Oct. 24. Dr. Krendl, the College’s first female president since its foundation in 1847, accepted the position on Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, and began her duties as president on Wednesday, July 1, 2009.

Approximately 55 delegates from colleges and universities across the country are expected to attend the celebration. Speakers at the ceremony include Eric Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, and Sandra J. Anderson, partner with Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP and Ohio University Board of Trustee member. Bishop Bruce R. Ough of the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church will also extend greetings among others.

The inauguration of Dr. Krendl will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Rike Center, 160 Center St., Westerville. Immediately following the ceremony, all attendees are invited to join President Krendl at a campus-wide Inaugural Cardinal Lunch Celebration at the adjacent Clements Recreation Center.

Following the luncheon, the day’s events include tours of new and renovated campus spaces from 2-4 p.m., including the Science Center, Equine Science Center, Presidents' Gallery in Towers Hall, Miller Gallery, Frank Museum of Art and Center for International Education and Global Engagement. Tours are followed by a performance at the Church of the Master on the corner of Main and Grove Streets at 4 p.m.

Friday’s schedule also includes the Otterbein College Theatre performance of Babes in Arms at 8 p.m. in the Fristche Family Theatre in Cowan Hall, 30 S. Grove St., Westerville. In conjunction with Homecoming Weekend, attendees are also invited to the annual Homecoming Celebration Bonfire at 9 p.m. on West Street near Alum Creek.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, the Homecoming Parade begins at 10 a.m. on Main Street and travels to Grove, State and Home Street, ending with a tailgate lunch. The Otterbein vs. Capital football game is at 2 p.m. in Memorial Stadium, while men’s soccer takes on Ohio Northern at 2 p.m.

President Krendl previously served Ohio University as executive vice president and provost from 2007-2009 and as provost from 2004-2007. Prior to her appointment as provost, Dr. Krendl served as dean of the University’s Scripps College of Communication from 1996 to 2004. She earned a doctorate degree in communication at the University of Michigan, a master’s in journalism at The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s in English at Lawrence University. She now resides in the President’s home near campus with her husband Richard Gilbert. They have two grown children.

Photos of President Krendl can be downloaded at www.otterbein.edu/inauguration/media.asp.