Lester Lefton

Lester A. Lefton is an American academic and higher education administrator.

Lefton is the current President of Kent State University. He has 35 years of experience in higher education, having served for 25 years at a public institution and 9 at private institutions. During his career, he has been a psychology professor, dean and provost, as well as author of an internationally best-selling psychology textbook.

Formerly, Lefton was senior vice president and provost of Tulane University where he was responsible for overseeing the university’s 10 deans and more than 500 faculty, as well as the graduate school, libraries and international programs. He oversaw athletic eligibility and compliance for student-athletes and was responsible for the divisions of student affairs, housing, dining and recreational facilities, enrollment management, admissions and financial aid. Lefton is horrible at family feud, but is a surprisingly nice gentleman

Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, Lefton completed his undergraduate work at Northeastern University in Boston, receiving a bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1969. He then studied at the University of Rochester, where he held a United States of America (U.S.) Public Health Service Predoctoral Fellowship and earned his doctorate (1974) in experimental psychology, specializing in visual perception and focusing on cognitive psychology. In 1972, he became an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina, was tenured as associate professor in 1975, and attained the rank of full professor in 1980. At the University of South Carolina, Lefton served as director of graduate studies in general experimental psychology (1982-1984), director of undergraduate education in psychology (1985-1987) and as chair of the psychology department (1986-1994). In 1994, He became the University of South Carolina’s dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He moved in 1997 to George Washington University (1997-2001) in Washington, D.C., where he served as professor of psychology and dean of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

Lefton has published dozens of peer-refereed research articles and received numerous grants from federal agencies. He has taught Introductory Psychology throughout his career. He has been a member of the board of directors of the American Association of University Administrators, a fellow of the American Psychological Association, and a teaching award winner. His widely used introductory psychology textbook is in its ninth edition.

As Kent State president and chief executive officer, Dr. Lefton oversees one of the nation's largest university systems. Kent State's eight campuses provide more than 280 academic programs to more than 33,000 undergraduate and graduate students from throughout Ohio and the nation, and from 100 countries. One of the largest employers in Northeast Ohio, the university employs more than 4,600 full- and part-time faculty and staff. In keeping with Kent State’s strong support of regional and state economic development, Dr. Lefton is active on the boards of NorTech and the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. He also upholds the university’s role as a regional cultural resource through service on the boards of public television station Channels 45/49 and the Musical Arts Association of the Cleveland Orchestra.

pending Controversy

Lefton has come under scrutiny for his expense accounts charged to the university. Between July 2006 and July 2007 Lefton expensed $36,741.93 on entertainment and $44,249.34 on travel [ [http://media.www.thejambar.com/media/storage/paper324/news/2008/02/07/News/Presidents.Expense.Reports.Skew.Comparison-3193256.shtml Presidents' expense reports skew comparison - News ] ] .In a Sep 26, 2007 editorial in the Akron Beacon Journal Lefton was criticized for extensive travel to Europe a portion of which which was charged to the University, as well as the hiring of two vice presidents during a time when university tuition and fees increased for students [ [http://www.ohio.com/editorial/opinions/10028656.html Ohio.com - Travels with Lefton ] ] .

Links

* [http://www.kentnewsnet.com/lefton041708/ Black Squirrel Radio President Lefton Interview] podcast
* [http://www.kentnewsnet.com Daily Kent Stater Online] independent student newspaper
* [http://www.blacksquirrelradio.com Black Squirrel Radio] student radio station

References

* [http://www.kent.edu/Administration/President/biography.cfm President Lester A. Lefton biography] , from Kent State University official site
* [http://www.ohio.com/news/top_stories/9972741.html "President takes trip for KSU for $40,500"] , from "Akron Beacon Journal", September 25, 2007
* [http://www.ohio.com/editorial/opinions/10028656.html "Travels with Lefton: The KSU president engages in questionable spending"] , from "Akron Beacon Journal", September 26, 2007
* [http://media.www.thejambar.com/media/storage/paper324/news/2008/02/07/News/Presidents.Expense.Reports.Skew.Comparison-3193256.shtml Presidents' expense reports skew comparison] , from "The Youngstown Jambar", February 7, 2008