Dr. Paul Kemeny, professor of Religion and Humanities, will serve as dean of Grove City College’s Calderwood School of Arts and Letters.
“Dr. Kemeny is an ideal fit for this job. He is blessed with the requisite wisdom, character and intellectual strength to be a strong leader for our Calderwood faculty. We are thankful for his willingness to serve in this important position,” College President Paul J. McNulty ’80 said.
A highly respected teacher, scholar and author, Kemeny joined the College in 2000 as a professor in the Department of Biblical and Religious Studies. He served as interim dean since 2018 and assistant dean of the Calderwood School from 2013 to 2018.
Kemeny holds a Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary, master’s degrees in Religion and Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, a master’s degree in Theology from Duke University and a B.A. from Wake Forest University.
He is the author or editor of several books on the history of the church and of higher education, including "The Oxford Handbook of Presbyterianism;" "Faith, Freedom, and Higher Education: Historical Analysis and Contemporary Reflections;" "Princeton in the Nation’s Service: Religious Ideals and Educational Practice, 1868–1928;" and "The New England Watch and Ward Society."
He will lead the Calderwood School with the support of assistant deans Dr. Michelle McFeaters ’88, ’02, associate professor of Accounting and Finance, and Dr. H. Collin Messer, professor of English.
Kemeny’s appointment completes a series of key academic administration positions that have recently been filled at the College.
Dr. Richard Savage was named dean of the College’s Hopeman School of Science, Engineering and Mathematics earlier this year after a nationwide search. Dr. Peter Frank ’95, who was named provost and vice-president of Academic Affairs in August, begins his tenure in January.