Kenneth E. Zirkle, Ed.D.

Dr. Ken Zirkle has served in the higher education community as an upper level administrator for over 40 years. For the past 28 years he has been a university/college president at three different institutions: the University of Findlay in Ohio, Becker College in Massachusetts, and Post University in Connecticut. His successful career has included positions at widely varying institutions - large and small, private and public, and most recently at a “for profit” university. In each case he was directly responsible and very involved in the intercollegiate athletic program. He brings a wide range of experience and expertise in:

• Short term and long range strategic planning initiatives

• Developing athletic programs that enhance the image of the institution

• Starting new sports that are market driven and cost effective

• Developing athletic programs that improve the bottom line

• Utilizing athletics to bolster enrollment with the “right” type of student

• Having student athletes who graduate and become positive alumni

• Finding the appropriate conference that best serves student needs and institutional objectives

• Promoting the athletic program in the community to attract interest and support

While serving as president at the University of Findlay, Becker College, and Post University, Dr. Zirkle
was the driving force behind the following athletic initiatives:

• Transitioning from a NAIA to a NCAA D-II athletic affiliation

• Starting a men’s NCAA D-I hockey program

• Starting a “Sprint Football” team that competes in a one of a kind conference with Cornell, Penn,

• Army, Navy, Mansfield and Princeton

• Starting a NCAA D-III football program and finding an appropriate conference

• Building new athletic/fitness centers at two of the institutions, including installing turf fields

• Renovating and updating existing athletic facilities at all three institutions

• Instrumental in starting numerous new sports including men’s and women’s hockey, swimming,
  lacrosse, and volleyball as well as researching and starting sprint football

• Establishing a nationally recognized, championship level equestrian program (driving force
  behind purchase and development of state of the art facilities that included a pre vet program
  with a national reputation for successful entrance into veterinarian school)

• Always emphasizing the student (athlete) and taking pride in the accomplishments of each on
  and off the playing field/court/etc.

Ken is married to Christine Zirkle and they currently reside in Northwestern Pennsylvania where each has their roots and many family including Ken’s parents and Chris’s mother. They have five daughters, four of whom are or have worked in higher education.

Dr. Zirkle has a doctorate in Higher Education from the Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree from Rutgers, and a bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University. He completed post-doctoral work at Harvard and was named a distinguished alumnus by Penn State’s College of Education and Edinboro Univesity.