This is a petition requesting that the name of Dr. Aaron Thompson be added to the list of finalists to be interviewed for the position of KSU President.

For the last eight months, there has been a dynamic change on the campus of Kentucky State University. There has been stability, increased civility, cordiality, an air of openness, smiling, friendly, faculty and staff going about the business of getting their jobs done. Students went to class with the thought of finishing the semester and obtaining a degree.

The State Journal newspaper, which over the years has had a, somewhat, adversarial, relationship with KSU, has recently published numerous positives articles about KSU. These include the November 20, 2016 article on the KSU, South Frankfort Presbyterian Church partnership concert, evolving from the Frankfort Kiwanis Club “What Can I Do For KSU” campaign; the January 22, 2017 Editorial “State of KSU appears to be getting stronger”; The February 5, 2017 front page story “Turning the page”, which gives Thompson credit for beginning to heal a deep wound in the relationship between KSU and the Frankfort Country Club. I believe that if anyone goes back to the eight months preceding the latest presidential search results, they will not be able to find one negative article about KSU in the State Journal.

The driving force behind this positive change at KSU has been Dr. Aaron Thompson. Dr. Thompson is an extremely intelligent individual with a great deal of experience in the higher education field. Dr. Thompson is familiar with the higher education funding formula. Also, Dr. Thompson understands Kentucky politics and he is personally familiar with many members of the Kentucky General Assembly. The KSU faculty senate has given Interim President Thompson a vote of confidence, as have many in the Frankfort / Franklin County community. A list of Dr. Thompson’s accomplishments include:

Establishing the first Doctorial program

Partnering with Frankfort Kiwanis Club on the “What Can You Do” initiative

The KSU advanced STEM program featured in video by Kentucky Governor’s Office

Hosted the Farm City Field Day

Held tuition increases to only 0.57%

KSU recognized by US News and World Report as a top university in the South

Partnered with Lexington’s Lyric Theatre to mentor middle school kids

Increased declining enrollment from 1,600 to over 2,000

Reestablished positive relations with the Frankfort Country Club

Eagerly engaged and encouraged conversations with many community businesses and organizations in the pursuit of “win/win” partnerships with KSU

Dr. Thompson is an “out of the box”, creative and innovator thinker whose past eight month performance has earned him the right to be interviewed for the position of KSU President. This is not an endorsement of Dr. Thompson for the job of KSU President. This is simply a petition requesting that he be given the same opportunity to be interviewed that has been afforded to past Interim Presidents. Based upon his qualifications, his experience and his past eight month performance, he has earned that right!

PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION ELECTRONICALLY AND FOLLOW THE PROMPTS TO RETURN TO SENDER.

Thank you

Ed Powe