(Posted June 16, 2009)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Thomas R. Kepple, Juniata College president, has been named chair of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, effective July 1, for the 2009-2010 academic year.

As chair, Kepple will oversee a board comprised of 22 college and university presidents, as well as the Association president. The AICUP board sets the agenda for private colleges in Pennsylvania and formulates policies and positions adopted by independent higher education on public issues.

"Tom Kepple is an experienced and highly regarded education leader in Pennsylvania and will serve his colleagues well before elected officials and the media as we convey the important role private higher education plays in the educational and economic well-being of the Commonwealth."

Don Francis, president, AICUP

Kepple replaces outgoing chair, Jay Lemons, Susquehanna University president, for a one-year term.

In addition, Kepple will also work closely with Don Francis, president of AICUP, to determine agendas for board and membership meetings and respond rapidly to emerging issues concerning higher education in the private college sector.

"Tom Kepple is an experienced and highly regarded education leader in Pennsylvania and will serve his colleagues well before elected officials and the media as we convey the important role private higher education plays in the educational and economic well-being of the Commonwealth," says Francis.

Kepple became Juniata's 11th president in 1998. Prior to that, he was vice president for business and community at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., from 1989 to 1998. At Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., he served as director of administrative services from 1975 to 1981, dean of administrative services from 1981 to 1986, and as provost from 1986 to 1989.

Kepple is the founding chair for the Tuition Plan Consortium, a nonprofit corporation overseeing the development of a national pre-paid college tuition program for private colleges and universities--an innovative option for making high quality private education more accessible to students and families. Kepple has also completed extensive work on the development and implementation of early retirement programs for faculty, having co-authored the book "Incentive Early Retirement Programs for Faculty," with Jay Chronister of the University of Virginia.

He served as the vice chair of Governor Rendell's higher education transition team. He also is the founding chair of the Landmark NCAA Division III athletic conference.

A native of Murrysville, Pa., he earned a bachelor's degree in 1970 from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa. He went on to earn a master's degree in business administration in 1974 and a doctorate in higher education in 1984, both from Syracuse University. Prior to obtaining the M.B.A., Kepple was the director of technical training for the Morse Division of the Borg-Warner Corporation.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.