This week, Dr. Robert Kerr, former vice chairman of the Board of Trustees, was selected as the new chair of the Elizabethtown College Board of Trustees.

Following the Board’s luncheon last week, Kerr shared insight into his experiences as a trustee and Etown alumnus.  He appeared as an all-out Etown supporter, as expressed by the Etown logo-patterned tie he wore to the Board’s meeting on Saturday, April 26.

Kerr’s personal interest in Etown stems from his time as a student in the Class of 1964. “We’re going to have our 50th reunion this year,” he said. The former chemistry major “came away with a very warm feeling for the College.”

“I really appreciated the education I got. I felt that it was really education, not just training,” Kerr said. “Then I went from [Etown] to Pitt Medical School and went on to residencies, fellowships and things. But I’ve always loved Etown.”

The Board of Trustees’ meeting was held in the Susquehanna room, which is the former cafeteria in which he met his wife on their first day as students at the College.

Despite living in Texas, the duo has attended all but one of the Board’s meetings since he became a trustee.

Dr. Theodore Long, a former president of the College, invited Kerr to join the Board as a trustee after meeting him during a visit to Texas.

As a physician, Kerr preferred engaging with patients rather than doing research in a lab.  “I enjoyed patients, and I didn’t really want to spend my life in the lab,” he said. The alumnus, who retired five years ago, has similar feelings towards interacting with students at the Board’s meetings. “At this meeting, we were exposed to a lot of the students,” Kerr said. “Those are always the best meetings.”

Kerr discussed President Carl Strikwerda’s Strategic Plan, as it is the Board’s current focus.  “The trustees are not involved in the operations of the College,” he said. “That’s up to the administration. The trustees have to look over the College to be sure that it’s run correctly and know what’s going on, but we need to be involved more with strategic planning.”  Kerr also expressed hope for the potential of newer projects like Real World Learning, the field house and improvements in preexisting programs like Student Wellness.

Kerr also noted that the trustee positions are volunteer positions, and trustees pay for their own travel to and from the board meetings. The College provides the meal; the rest is the trustees’ financial responsibility. The Board is scheduled to meet again this coming October.