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Friday, March 29, 2024
The Eagle

Getting to know: Neil Kerwin

Correction Appended

President Neil Kerwin is entering his third year as president of AU. He previously served as faculty, School of Public Affairs dean and provost. Kerwin even did his undergraduate work at AU. Now, as president, he is responsible for managing a $400 million budget, as well as thousands of faculty, staff and students at the university. Kerwin recently sat down with The Eagle to share some facts about his background and pathway to the presidency.

Kerwin grew up in Waterbury, Conn., where his father and brother worked in a large brass and copper factory. He gets back to Waterbury, a city of about 100,000 people, about once a year to visit his brother, and he still has a strong connection with his life there, he said.

His decision to attend college in the District was fueled by his love for politics, he said. While studying at AU, he served as an undergraduate teaching assistant in the Public Affairs program. As a freshman, he tried out for the men's basketball team. He didn't make it.

He said his time spent at American was an eye-opening experience.

"[AU] changed the way I looked at what was possible for my career and my life," Kerwin said.

But he said he never expected to return to American -- and certainly never imagined being president of the university.

Kerwin admits that his job is pretty consuming, but that he enjoys spending his time away from the office with his family, playing golf and watching sports. He also goes to the gym every other day.

"I'm very religious about that," he said.

You can reach this writer at news@theeagleonline.com.

Correction: In this story, The Eagle incorrectly reported that Neil Kerwin is entering his second year as AU president. Kerwin is entering his third year. This version has been corrected.


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