Trustees announce that Dr. Anne E. Huot will hold office
Karina Barriga Albring
News Editor
Unbeatable like the Keene State College Men’s Lacrosse Team, precise like Ryan Martin’s shot from the foul line, strong like Drew Ledwith’s arms, fast as Maggie Fitter in the 800 meter and determined like most Owls that defend KSC’s colors for every athletic team: those are some of the qualities that the student body sought out in the next college president.
After a six-month-long search process, the Owls finally have their main woman.
On Tuesday, March 26, 2013 the University System Board of Trustees officially announced that Dr. Anne E. Huot is the new head of Keene State College.
“I got this job for you, the students. That’s the main reason why I am here today: to do everything I can to help ensure you get the best education you can. My heart is full of joy to be here today at Keene State College,” the new college President, Anne E. Huot, said.
Karina barriga albring / news editor
Jay V. Kahn, KSC interim president, and Anne E. Hout, tenth KSC president, at a formal ceremony in the Mabel Brown Room at Keene State College on March 26, 2013.
The Board of Trustees unanimously voted in favor of the decision in the Mabel Brown Room in the Young Student Center in front of more than 100 members of the KSC community, including students, alumni, faculty and staff members and Keene residents.
During her speech, Huot expressed her commitment to the liberal arts education and emphasized the importance of promoting community engagement.
New KSC President Dr. Anne E. Huot from KSC-TV on Vimeo.
“I feel that providing the opportunity to have a quality public education to students, especially first-generation students, is a magnificent aspect of Keene State College,” Huot stated.
After the ceremony, KSC Interim President Jay Kahn said, “Dr. Huot is very qualified for the position. I feel excited for the campus right now, and I know that the office is in good hands.”
Karen House, vice president for Finance and Planning referred to the search for the new president as a “very successful process.” “I think that the Search Committee did an outstanding job, met all the deadlines and has now come to a decision,” House said.
The chosen candidate is a New Englander, born and raised. Huot was born in Manchester, N.H. and spent several years in college in New Hampshire and Vermont.
Working at KSC and living in New Hampshire would mean a homecoming Huot admitted she is excited for. During her first formal visit to the KSC campus as a final presidential candidate on March 4, Huot said living in Keene will allow her to be closer to her family. “I am excited that I will be able to go home and see my dad more often because the distance wouldn’t be as great,” Huot said.
Huot’s father attended the ceremony at KSC. Wearing a smile and bright tie, Mr. Huot applauded passionately and held his tears while his daughter gave her first speech as the new head of Keene State College.
Huot’s professional background has raised expectations and is an exciting feature for some faculty and staff members of KSC.
Huot has a leaning towards science, and her background in Biology and Medicine has allowed her to work in different research projects, administer programs and teach multiple science courses.
Renate Gebauer, environmental studies professor, said she believes Huot will support sciences at KSC as well as all the other departments of the college. “I strongly feel that she has a commitment to the liberal art education and I don’t think that she will favor the sciences,” Gebauer stated.
Gebauer remarked the importance of Huot’s skills regarding data analysis and problem solving. “I think it is very important to look at data and know how to interpret it in order to make a wise decision,” Gebauer said.
Huot earned a B.S. in Medical Technology from the University of New Hampshire in 1980, a M.S., in Medical Technology and a Ph.D in Cell & Molecular Biology from the University of Vermont.
After completing her graduate studies, Huot spent several years teaching undergraduate as well as graduate level courses. She also directed different academic and research programs in the University of Vermont.
She has taught multiple Biology classes like Biomedical Technologies and Cell and Molecular Biology. Huot has also worked with institutions like the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
In 2004, Huot moved to New York to join the faculty of the College of Health Related Professions, of Upstate Medical University.
Later in 2007, she became a professor of the Department of Biology, College at Brockport, State University of New York.
“In whichever aspect of life you are successful at, you must come with the intention to give back to the community,” Huot said when she visited KSC in early March.
Huot expressed that she believes “Keene is an incredibly engaged community that thinks passionately about students’ success and has an eagerness to move forward.”
In order to come to KSC, Huot is leaving her Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs positions at Brockport State University in New York.
Huot said that one of her priorities as the new KSC president is to make students become more involved in college life.
“Students have a place in every committee that the institution puts together to study an issue. That will continue. It is an important way to get students involved,” Huot said.
Huot also stated that she is excited to become closer to the student body. “From a personal perspective, I believe it is important to be present, whether it is at a basketball game, a performance or simply a lecture,” she concluded.
The Search Committee Chair George Epstein expressed the trustees’ support for Huot. “We are very proud to have a woman that has demonstrated quality and has developed a successful career in teaching and managing,” Epstein said.
While many could consider athletics to have little to do with who will hold the office at KSC, some of the main aspects sports fans, trainers and coaches expect from their athletes are the same many KSC community members require from the college officials.
The latest Owl to join the team, Huot will officially start her duties as KSC president this July 1, 2013. “Today, I enter to learn and I want to go forward and serve KSC,” Huot concluded.
Karina Barriga Albring can be contacted at kbarriga@keene-equinox.com