Dr. Katherine Rowe Fell has served as president of the University of Findlay since July 1, 2010. She is the University's 17th president and first female president since it was founded in 1882.
President Fell is known for her deep commitment to providing an outstanding learning environment for students, respect of the University's culture of shared governance, passion for supporting the community and a supportive leadership style that is influenced by a touch of Southern grace.
Her vision for the University of Findlay has guided UF to significant enrollment increases and a renewed focus on experiential learning and intercultural understanding. She has established new partnerships with universities and corporations that enhance the campus experience and elevate the University's reputation both domestically and abroad.
Under her leadership, the University has also benefited from an increase in engagement from alumni and donors. These renewed relationships are most evident in the completion of the University's $52 million capital campaign in 2015 and the construction of the new Center for Student Life and College of Business. The new 75,000-square-foot building welcomed students for the first time this fall.
President Fell is chair of the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance Board of Directors, a founding member of the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, Vice Chair of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio, and Vice Chair of the Presidents' Council of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Prior to her time at UF, President Fell served as vice president for advancement at Centenary College, Shreveport, Louisiana, where she had been the chief development officer since 2000. She began her tenure at Centenary in 1986 in the Department of English. During her 14 years as a professor, she taught and published in the fields of literature, writing, and pedagogy. She also led in the development of an interdisciplinary major in communication, which grew to become one of the college's strongest majors.
A native of Stamps, Arkansas, President Fell holds a bachelor of science in education in English, with a minor in speech, from Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia, and a master of arts in English from Louisiana Technical University in Ruston. She completed a Ph.D. in English from Texas A&M University at College Station.
President Fell and her husband, Roger, are the parents of six children.