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Cousins inaugurated as KWC’s 36th president

This article originally appeared in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer on Friday, April 25, 2025.

Cousins inaugurated as KWC’s 36th president

 

Dr. James P. Cousins was inaugurated as Kentucky Wesleyan College’s 36th president on Friday during a ceremony at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church.

Cousins has served as Kentucky Wesleyan’s president since July 1, 2024. He had previously served as the college’s provost and vice president of academic affairs since 2021.

“I stand before you today humbled, humbled by the trust you’ve placed in me, humbled by the legacy inherited … humbled by the incredible potential of KWC,” Cousins said. “Inaugurations are special because they are touch points in a college’s history. They give us time to come together and reflect on our past as we think about the road ahead.”

Fred Wright, a 1980 graduate of KWC and chairman of the school’s board of trustees, gave the welcoming statement.

“Dr. Cousins, the presence of everyone here today is an expression of our confidence in you,” he said, “and reflects our commitment to support you as you lead us into the next chapter of the life of Kentucky Wesleyan College.”

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KWC to hold Cousins’ inauguration Friday

This article originally appeared in the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

KWC to hold Cousins’ inauguration Friday

 

Dr. James Cousins has been president of Kentucky Wesleyan College since July of last year.

But at 1 p.m. Friday at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church, 201 E. Fourth St., Cousins’ inauguration as KWC’s 36th president will be held.

“Inaugurations are a time for everybody to come together and celebrate the college, kind of in familiar ways and unfamiliar ways,” Cousins said. “We get together and celebrate what we’re doing in a way that’s unique from commencements or baccalaureate ceremonies, or convocations — it’s a different idea, but a lot of the same sort of feelings, emotions. Alumni come together and trustees with faculty and staff and students and celebrate the college. But this is a different way of doing that.

“Historically what inaugurations mean are a new chapter, a turning point, celebrating what was past, what is present, and what’s coming in the future. That might be embodied in a convocation or commencement address, but this is an opportunity to really focus on that specifically.”

Cousins, who had served as KWC’s provost and vice president of academic affairs since 2021 until being named president, said the inauguration will represent the “fulfillment of a dream.”

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Kentucky Wesleyan College celebrates inauguration of new president

The inauguration of Dr. James P. Cousins, the 36th president of Kentucky Wesleyan College, took place Friday, April 25, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church at 201 East Fourth Street in Owensboro. Dr. Cousins became president on July 1, 2024.

Click here to re-watch the ceremony.

“This inauguration marks an extraordinary milestone in our history,” said Chair of the Board of Trustees Fred Wright ’80. “We invite the community to join us as we celebrate the strengths of our past and honor Dr. Cousins’ able leadership as we move forward to an even brighter future.”

Dr. Cousins served as the provost and vice president of academic affairs at Kentucky Wesleyan College since 2021 and has a distinguished career in higher education, including faculty and administrative leadership positions.

Related news: KWC to hold Cousins’ inauguration Friday

Related news: Cousins inaugurated as KWC’s 36th president

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Renowned Kentucky author Silas House to address Kentucky Wesleyan Class of 2025 at 157th annual Commencement

Renowned Kentucky author Silas House will address the Class of 2025 at Kentucky Wesleyan’s 157th annual Commencement on Saturday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at Owensboro Christian Church. He will be the recipient of an honorary doctor of letters.

“Silas House is not only one of Kentucky’s most profound literary voices, he’s also an advocate for the power of storytelling,” said President James Cousins. “It is a privilege to welcome him to our campus. We know the Class of 2025 will be inspired by his creativity, advocacy and commitment to community.”

House is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels; the first, “Clay’s Quilt,” was published in 2001, and his most recent, “Lark Ascending,” was a “Booklist” Editors’ Choice and the winner of the 2023 Southern Book Prize and the 2023 Nautilus Book Award. Four of his plays have been produced. He is also the author of the 2009 book of creative nonfiction, “Something’s Rising,” with co-author Jason Kyle Howard. (more…)

Kentucky Wesleyan alumnus Brandon Cox ’10 to address students at annual Honors Convocation

Brandon Cox ’10 climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro In October, and on Thursday, April 10, at 12:30 p.m., he will address Kentucky Wesleyan students about the experience at the annual Honors Convocation celebration at the Jack T. Wells ’77 Activity Center. His speech, “It Goes with You,” will be an excerpt/adaptation from the book he is writing with the same title. He is a member of the KWC Alumni Association Board of Directors. Scholars Day presentations will follow in the Panther Room.

Cox is an award-winning marketing, communications and business operations professional. He is known for his ability to connect people with information, ideas and each other to make a difference in their communities.

He is the client success manager at Fastek Services, overseeing IT infrastructure, managing the technology budget and leading digital transformations for Fastek’s clients. He focuses on aligning IT strategies with client business goals. Cox communicates the business impact of technology at work to empower clients to achieve scalable, sustainable success. (more…)