Hawkinson served as a member of the Illinois National Guard and United States Army. As a Field Artillery Officer and Executive Officer for a Field Artillery Battery, he was called to active duty as an Infantry Officer in Germany. He was also a volunteer with the Peace Corps.[4] In 2016, Hawkinson was inducted into the U.S. Army ROTC National Hall of Fame.[5]
Hawkinson was an assistant professor, associate professor, and professor of communication at Western Illinois University. He later worked as the provost, academic vice president, associate provost, and associate vice president for budget, planning and personnel. Hawkinson was selected as the 12th president of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in 2015, succeeding F. Javier Cevallos.[6]
Hawkinson's presidency has included guiding the university through the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent associated challenges – including moving nearly all university functions online in Spring 2020. Hawkinson followed by committing to return to primarily in-person operations and classes the following academic year and beyond.
Under Hawkinson, the KU Foundation completed the “Together, We’re Golden: The Campaign for Kutztown University” in 2023, raising a school-record $46,852,180 to create scholarships, bolster emergency funds and enhance student experiences.[7]
Kutztown University’s overall full-time equivalency students rose in 2023 for the first time since 2010. 31% of incoming freshmen in Fall of 2023 were minority students.[8]
United States Army