Faculty and students are eager about PNW’s new chancellor and look forward to a new era of collaboration.

Provost Kenneth (Chris) Holford was appointed chancellor in December, effective Jan 8. He replaced Thomas Keon, who was criticized for controversial remarks he made at the 2022 fall commencement. Those remarks resulted in condemnations from groups across the country, and a vote of no-confidence by the Faculty Senate, which called for his resignation. 

Keon announced his transition to staff in April and is currently on sabbatical, effective Jan. 8.

The reaction to Holford’s promotion has been positive.

“I think Chancellor Holford will be … great,” said Student Government Association President David Bolton. “I believe he can help PNW be a beacon in Northwest Indiana for education and scholarly excellence, but he understands that students, faculty, and staff help keep that beacon lit.” 

Faculty members agree. 

“We have talked about a lot of concerns,” said Faculty Senate Chair David Nalbone, a professor of Psychology. “Most staff and faculty are relieved Keon is gone but optimistic about what Holford will bring to the university.”

Nalbone believes Holford’s prior experience in the region will aid him as the new chancellor.

“He can hit the ground running, and he is familiar with the institution and was already engaged with the communities, internal and external,” said Nalbone.

Holford has worked at PNW for more than 18 years, starting as a Biology professor on what is now the Westville Campus. Before becoming provost in 2020, he was the founding dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences in 2016 when Purdue Calumet merged with Purdue North Central to form PNW. Earlier, he was chair of the department of Biology and Chemistry at the former Purdue North Central.

Requests for comment from the new chancellor were declined.

Holford was one of three candidates recommended for consideration to Purdue President Mung Chiang, who made the final decision about PNW’s chancellor.

“It was a very tough choice, and all the candidates were very good options, and when we got down to the final three that is when it was toughest,” said Bolton, who was the student representative on the search committee.

“When we had on-campus interviews, a lot of SGA members were able to come and ask questions, and [Holford] wants to be involved with students and help the students get involved both on and off campus,” said Bolton.

He said he wanted a new chancellor who is “an approachable individual, who is open-minded and could help push PNW into the future.” 

Just over a month at the new job, Holford is already getting requests.

Bolton said he has had conversations with the new chancellor about ways to improve student life. He asked for more parking spaces and social areas.

“Creating more community spaces promotes the diversity of our student body while at the same time allowing everyone a space to relax, work and commune with new and old friends,” he said.

Nalbone identified concerns about faculty compensation.

“We are paying high amounts of money to our high-level administrators compared to what our peers are paying, and this does not send a good message,” he said. “And I think we are underpaying faculty relative to our peers.”

He also explained concerns about the future of the Westville Campus, which houses fewer students than Hammond. 

“We have got to figure out as a university what role the Westville Campus will play because right now it’s underutilized, and at some point, we have to fix it or it might not even be sustainable,” said Nalbone.

Still, he remains optimistic.

“Chancellor Holford is … communicating,” Nalbone said. “We had a strong candidate poll, and … he rose to the top.”