Dr. Karen L. Pennington

Karen L. Pennington, Ph.D., arrived at The University of Scranton in 1972 as part of its first coeducational class and may have been the first Black woman to enroll, a milestone we're researching to confirm. Dr. Pennington worked as a resident assistant during her undergraduate years and graduated in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in history. In 1980, Dr. Pennington became the first Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities at the University and later served as a member of the Board of Trustees. She served as Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life at Montclair University for twenty-two years before retirement. The University of Scranton awarded Dr. Pennington an honorary degree in 2015.

The 1986 Windhover yearbook was dedicated to Karen Pennington with the following words from the Class of 1986:

Unique. Innovative. Easy-going. Gregarious. Stern. Organized. A Motivator. A Friend.

Karen L. Pennington exemplifies all these and more. We, the yearbook staff, are proud to dedicate the 1986 Windhover to Karen Pennington.

Karen has been chosen especially because of the tremendous influence she has had on the class of 1986. Serving as the Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities from 1980 to September of 1985, she has guided us through most of our days.

Karen graduated from the U of S in the first class of women in 1976. She went on to complete a masters degree in Counseling while working as a Resident Counselor of a co·ed dorm at Gannon University in Erie Pennsylvania. Returning to her Alma Mater in 1980, she took on great responsibilities.

She juggled such diverse activities as Student Government, all campus clubs, roommate problems, student elections, Parent's Days, while maintaining regular contact with the Resident Assisstants and, making regular appearances at most University events. With all that her job here entailed, one wondered how well Karen handled everything. It was normal fare to walk into her office and find crowds of people there at a time. (If you didn't know who to ask, you asked Karen.) Yet, Karen always managed to make time to listen to us all and to make us feel important.

Despite her busy schedule, Karen was still available to anyone who sought her advice. Yet, she did it in a way that allowed us to make our own decisions. Karen had a motive for handling things that way. She sought to build our confidence, and encourage us to take initiative. Life was not all work for Karen, she was always a willing partner in a Trivial Pursuit match or to simply "shoot the breeze." To be sure, Karen had her own difficult days. But even then she set a good example by getting her jobs done, even in the midst of chaos.

Already holding two masters degrees (one in Counseling and one in History), she is now pursuing a doctorate in History as well as serving as the Acting Director of Student Life at the State University of New York (SUNY) at New Paltz. Though Karen is now a few hours away, her spirit continues to endure at the University of Scranton. We hope, too, that she will carry the U of S spirit wherever she may go.

Karen Pennington gave a lot of herself in her job here and for that, we are forever indebted to her.

Karen - You have made a lasting impression on our lives, for which we will be always grateful. The dedication of this yearbook to you is a modest attempt to put out gratitude into practice.

Thank You,

The Windhover and the Class of 1986

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