College Announces Student and Institutional Development Staff Changes and Promotions

Montgomery, Ala.— Huntingdon College President J. Cameron West and senior vice president for student and institutional development Dr. Anthony Leigh announced today a number of staff changes and promotions that became effective June 1.

In the newly renamed Office of Student Development, formerly known as the Office of Student Affairs, the following promotions and hires were announced:

• Chaplain Rhett Butler, Huntingdon Class of 2013, has been promoted to assistant dean of students for campus ministries and will continue as College chaplain.
• Staci-Jo Palek, former director of residential communities, has been promoted to director of campus activities and orientation.
• Joe Thomas, Class of 2017, former assistant director of residential communities, has been promoted to the position of director of residential communities and will also serve as residence director of Searcy Hall. He continues to serve as coordinator of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), as well.
• Logan Gildea, Class of 2019, has been promoted to serve as residence director of Blount Hall.
• Kerigan Pickett, Class of 2021, has joined the staff as residence director for Ligon Hall.

Leigh, who also serves as dean of students since the retirement of former dean Fran Taylor last month, said, “I am grateful to these continuing staff members, whose work has been more than commendable and who are strong promoters of the Huntingdon family culture. I am excited to lead this team and look forward to announcing some additional staff members in the coming weeks. Our focus in the year ahead will be on fostering student leadership and an environment that continues to nurture and promote the family-like atmosphere for which Huntingdon is known.”

Leigh also announced that Kathleen Penney, Class of 2015, has moved from the position of director of campus activities in the Office of Student Development to director of external relations in the Office of College and Alumni Relations, which Leigh also heads. “Kathleen Penney’s work has been exemplary,” said Leigh. “She has a deep love for Huntingdon and understands the uniqueness of the Huntingdon experience from the vantage point of a student and a veteran staff member. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and talent will serve our good friends of the College well as she assumes this new role.”

“Huntingdon is a small college known for individual attention and academic and student life excellence,” said President West. “Because we are focused on the individual student, relationships matter, and the people who serve in leadership roles make all the difference. I am thrilled that our students and our College friends will be served by people of such high caliber who love this College and all the College represents.”

Huntingdon College, founded in 1854, continues a legacy of faith, wisdom, and service through a liberal arts academic tradition grounded in the Judeo-Christian heritage of the United Methodist Church.

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