Marietta College will celebrate the inauguration of Kathleen Poorman Dougherty, Ph.D., as its 21st president during a formal ceremony on Friday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m., in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. The event will bring together faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, community partners, and delegates from colleges and universities across the region to honor the leadership of President Dougherty and Marietta’s legacy as the College looks toward a bold future.
Marietta College recently completed a comprehensive academic program review and a substantive strategic planning process, positioning the institution to elevate academic excellence and expand opportunities for generations of Pioneers to come. Under President Dougherty’s leadership, the College continues to champion the transformative power of a liberal arts education, empowering students, faculty, and staff to discover their calling and embrace vocational exploration as a foundation for purposeful lives.
The institution is strengthening relationships with its surrounding communities, strategic partners, alumni, and friends, helping them reconnect with the College’s brand, mission, and values. Guided by Dougherty, Marietta College secured funding to establish the Milone Center for Academic and Career Success, a key resource supporting students’ personal and professional growth. She also collaborated with regional and state representatives and local business leaders to position the College to launch the state-funded Center for Appalachian Innovation.
Dougherty was appointed interim president in January 2025, and in August was unanimously selected by the Board of Trustees as President. Prior to her presidency, she served as Marietta’s Provost and Dean of the Faculty, where she played a key role in advancing strategic initiatives, guiding academic program innovation, and fostering faculty and student success. A dedicated educator and visionary leader, Dougherty brings more than 25 years of experience and considerable expertise in higher education financial management, academic program development, and a deep commitment to ethical leadership, strengthening the College’s ability to grow and innovate.
“We are energized by Dr. Dougherty’s ambitious vision for the future of Marietta College. She is a dedicated and passionate advocate for student success, with a clear focus on the importance of a strong town-campus community relationship,” said Dr. J.S. (Jim) Wilson, D.M., Marietta College Board of Trustees Chair. “Her across-the-board experiences in higher-education, and her leadership tenacity as an educator and administrator will be invaluable as we navigate the complexities of the modern higher education landscape. Dr. Dougherty understands the challenges and opportunities facing Marietta College, and her recently released More History to Make strategic vision for Marietta College is grounded in who we are and where we’re going in the future.”
A native of Ashland, Ohio, Dougherty holds a B.A. in philosophy from St. Olaf College and an M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma. Her scholarly work has focused on moral theory—specifically virtue ethics and the development of the moral self—the moral significance of self-knowledge, the relationship between personal relationships and the development of character, and the role of forgiveness in the moral life. Dougherty is also the mother of one child, Emma, a recent graduate of Stanford Law School.
Before joining Marietta in 2023, Dougherty served as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Alma College, where she oversaw a nationally recognized revision of the general education curriculum, fostering an interdisciplinary approach and experiential learning opportunities. She also served as Dean of the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education at Mount Mary University and as an outside chair at Notre Dame of Maryland University. Earlier in her career, she held faculty positions at Bowie State University and George Washington University.
Dougherty is a member of the national Advisory Council for the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education, an initiative of the Council of Independent Colleges. She is also dedicated to lifelong learning, having recently completed the Executive Leadership Academy through the American Academic Leadership Institute. She is currently pursuing a certificate in fundraising management at the Lilly School of Philanthropy.
“It is an honor to lead this storied institution. I'm grateful for the Board's confidence in my leadership and for the support of our campus community. Day after day, I am impressed by the dedication that our faculty and staff demonstrate to our students,” said President Kathleen Dougherty. “A Marietta College education has always been rooted in the relationships that help our students succeed, both in the classroom and beyond. As we look to our future, we will prioritize opportunities for collaboration in the broader community so that we remain a vital partner in the region. For nearly 200 years, Marietta College has prepared students for lives of purpose—our work together in the coming years must assure that we continue to do so for generations to come.”
The inauguration of President Dougherty marks another defining moment in Marietta College’s rich history. As the College prepares to celebrate this momentous occasion, her leadership points to a future shaped by persistence and purpose. The College will launch new academic programs that spark advancement, open doors of opportunity for students, and deepen its partnership with the surrounding community, carrying forward its mission and building on nearly two centuries of history.