User:Cooper 1959/Kevin Kennedy

Dr. Kevin Curtis Joseph Kennedy was born on July 28, 1953, in Sioux Falls, SD. He graduated from Beresford High School in 1972, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Marty University in 1976, his Master of Arts degree from the University of South Dakota in 1977. In 1984, Dr. Kennedy received his Doctorate of Education from the University of South Dakota/Vermillion. In 2022, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from Abide University, Los Angles, CA. During his doctoral academic preparation he was a graduate assistant for the Center for Developmental Disabilities, School of Medicine-USD. He completed study at the Mott Foundation in Flint, MI in community education during a summer between working on his masters and doctorate degrees. Education was always in the forefront of his life and he exemplified this in his work and teaching skills.

His academic background prepared him to be Executive Director of Southeastern South Dakota Activity Center (SEDAC), Resident Hall Director at Briar Cliff University, Dean of Kilian Community College, lecturer at USD, Governors State University, Graduate Advisor/Lecturer, Olivet Nazarene University, co-taught Federal Grant writing at Governors State University, University Park, IL and finally retiring from Florida Southwestern State College on June 30, 2015. His experience in higher education spanned over 30 years in higher education with his first job as admissions counselor for then Mount Marty College.

He was involved in professional and community theater throughout much of his adult career taking acting classes at the Illinois Theater Center Drama School in Park Forest, IL under the direction of acclaimed actress Etel Billig. Kevin’s theatrical acting included Lewis & Clark Theater, Lamb Theater, Fake Shrubbery Theater, The Drama Group, Sarasota Players, Seminal Dinner Train, USD Theater, Illinois Theater Center and Vermillion Summer Theater. He acted in a couple equity theaters in Iowa and Illinois. He was a member of The Balladeers a singing group in Yankton, SD back in the ‘80’s. Kevin was involved in an acting group located in Sioux Falls who provided one-acts on suicide presented in communities in southeast SD and was featured on CBS evening news. His love and passion was the theater and acting. A dream one day of moving to NYC or LA which unfortunately never happened as his career path took a turn and on occasion he would say, “I need my creature comforts and not struggle living a starving actor’s life!” Some of his many accomplishments included: Area Arts Council Board Member, Area Heart Association Corporate Board Member, State Special Olympic Board of Directors, State Association of Mental Retardation Executive Committee and Nominations Committee, Council Member, St. Agnus Catholic Church, Vermillion, SD. He raised money on a dancing dare for Muscular Dystrophy winning first place in the 24 hour dance competition. He volunteered his time at the Lee Co. Alliance for the Arts answering the phone, greeting visitors and assisting with fundraising activities. He became an avid runner and participated in Frontrunners, Sarasota and ran in the Gasparilla.

His Honors and Professional achievements were Outstanding Young Men in America, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Alpha Phi Omega – National Honor Society, Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Education, Who’s Who Among Professional Executives, Who’s Who in the Midwest. Most recently, he was given the Professional Distinguished Alumni Award from his Alma Mater Mount Marty University. The Dr. Kevin Kennedy Endowment Scholarship has been established in his name at MMU.

.User:Cooper 1959 (talk) 23:08, 2 June 2022 (UTC)

Cooper 1959 (talk) 14:40, 28 May 2022 (UTC)