By Shannon McMahon

Dr. Kathy A. Krendl, current executive vice president and provost at Ohio University, has walked many paths in the world of academia.

But she will soon blaze an entirely new trail: Krendl will join the Westerville community as the first female president of Otterbein College.

Krendl accepted the position of Otterbein College’s 20th president in December 2008. She will assume office in July when she and her husband Richard Gilbert move to Westerville. He will join her at Otterbein as a professor of writing.

Krendl’s background includes a bachelor’s degree in English from Lawrence University, a master’s degree in journalism from The Ohio State University, and a doctorate in communication from the University of Michigan. She also taught at Southern Illinois University, Indiana University and OSU before becoming dean of OU’s Scripps College of Communication in 1996.

In 2005, Krendl was named provost at OU, and in May of 2007 was named executive vice president and provost.

Although obviously very busy, Krendl still made time to talk to Westerville Magazine, sharing insights and goals for her new journey.

Westerville Magazine: Where are you originally from?
Kathy Krendl: I grew up on a farm outside Spencerville, a small town in Northwestern Ohio. I was one of six children. We all worked on the farm growing up.

WM: A lot has been made of you being the first female president at Otterbein. How will it affect your leadership?
KK: I was appointed the first female dean on the Indiana University-Bloomington campus and then I became the first female dean of the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, so being the first female in a position is not new to me. It’s special at Otterbein, however, because of its long tradition of inclusiveness and its strong commitment to diversity. I have been told that women have served on the Otterbein faculty since its founding. As one graduate wrote to in response to the announcement of my appointment, “After 161 years, it’s about time we hired a female president.”

WM: What are some of your first initiatives or goals while at Otterbein?
KK: My first goal is to meet as many faculty and staff as possible before the students arrive in the fall. Then I will turn my attention to getting to know the students. I will be spending most of my time listening in the first couple of months, and from those conversations I will build an agenda for my first year. My husband and I also are looking forward to getting to know folks in Westerville.

WM: How will your philosophy change in your transition from a mid-sized public school to a smaller private school?
KK: The focus at Otterbein is clearly on students. It’s a student-centered institution. There are many competing priorities at larger institutions. There is one clear priority at a small private institution – the students.

WM: How will you establish a relationship with the community of Westerville outside of campus?
KK: I hope to become involved in community activities and organizations. I have volunteered for some community groups in Athens and hope there will be time to serve the community of Westerville as well as the Otterbein community.

WM: You’ve been in Central Ohio before teaching and pursuing your Master’s; what made you want to come back?
KK: The close relationship between Otterbein and Westerville was a major attraction. The mutual benefits are clear. Nurturing and developing that relationship is a high priority for me.

WM: You have the experience in academia, but what will be new for you with this specific position?
KK: In some ways I feel as if the move to Otterbein is taking me back to my roots. My undergraduate institution was about 1,200 students. My academic adviser and I had a close working relationship and still stay in touch. So, being on a small campus where faculty and students develop strong and enduring relationships will not be new to me. Also, because I taught at Ohio State for a year, Columbus is not new to me. It was also a very pleasant surprise when I learned during the interview process how many Otterbein faculty and staff have ties to Ohio University. So, there are many ways in which Otterbein already feels like a familiar place. Certainly the people will be new. Everyone has been very responsive and supportive.

WM: What are your some of your leisure hobbies?
KK: My husband and I enjoy walking and hiking. We love to visit the trails and caves in Hocking Hills. I also love to read. And, of course, we enjoy visiting our children in Chicago.

WM: Your undergraduate degree is in English. What is your favorite book?
KK: One of my favorites is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. When I was a high school English teacher, I always had my students read it. It is beautifully written.

WM: What has been your favorite class to take? To teach?
KK: My favorite class was Medieval English Literature. My undergraduate adviser taught the course, and he was a wonderful teacher. My favorite class to teach is a course in communication campaigns that examines the influence of mediated messages on people’s attitudes and behaviors.

WM: What is the first non work-related thing you plan to do in Westerville?
KK: We have already visited Westerville several times. We’ve eaten in a couple of restaurants. We took our children for a visit while they were home at Christmas. I’m especially looking forward to exploring the parks all around Westerville. My husband is eager to try kayaking on Alum Creek.

WM: You went to Ohio State for your Master’s and Michigan for your PhD — which team do you cheer for in November?
KK: The day of the OSU-Michigan game is the day that I cheer for my undergraduate institution, Lawrence University.

Shannon McMahon is a contributing writer for Westerville Magazine.