Dr. Doug Whitlock
President
Dr. Doug Whitlock’s love affair with Eastern began when he arrived on his hometown campus as a first-generation undergraduate student in 1961.
It continued unabated throughout a 38-year career in various administrative and teaching roles at EKU, including a five-year stint as Vice President for Administrative Affairs, from 1998-2003. His last three years of service were as a half-time faculty member in the Department of Computer Science.
As he addressed faculty and staff at a campus-wide convocation on Aug. 15, 2007, just two days after being named President for the interim, Dr. Whitlock recalled the tremendous difference the institution he cherishes has made in his own life.
(The Eastern faculty) “largely made me what I was then and am now,” he said.
On Oct. 22, 2007, the interim label was removed and now, as EKU’s 11th President, Dr. Whitlock is devoted to upholding the rich tradition of his alma mater while guiding her to even greater heights of excellence.
After earning two degrees from Eastern – a bachelor’s degree in history and social science in 1965 and a master’s degree in history a year later – Dr. Whitlock earned his doctoral degree in higher education from the University of Kentucky in 1981.
After two years of active duty with the U.S. Army, Dr. Whitlock returned to Eastern in 1968 to serve as Director of Publications. Three years later, he was named Director of Public Information.
In 1976, he was tapped by President J.C. Powell to serve as Executive Assistant to the President, continuing in that role through the administration of President Hanly Funderburk.
As Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Whitlock was responsible for Facilities Services, Public Safety, Information Technology and Delivery Systems, Media Resources, and University Farms. For a portion of his tenure, he also served as the institution’s chief financial officer.
Dr. Whitlock has long been an active participant in community life, serving since 1999 on the Madison County School Board, including two terms as chair. He also has served as a consultant with the Kentucky School Boards Association. He is an Elder and past board chair in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
He and his wife, Joanne, have been married 39 years and have two grown children, Robert and Janet.
At the convocation, Dr. Whitlock offered faculty and staff one gauge by which his stint as President may be judged:
"I will admit to you that I love Eastern, and when my service in the presidency is finished, if I have helped more of you love her too, then I will have done my job."
