Shirley Strum Kenny

Shirley Strum Kenny, teacher, researcher and administrative leader, has been named the 1989-90 College of Communication Outstanding Alumnus.

Kenny earned bachelor's degrees in journalism and English from The University of Texas at Austin. She also earned a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate from the University of Chicago. She served as editor of The Daily Texan and eventually taught classes at the university.

Kenny became president of Queens College and Stony Brook, the first woman to be named to both presidencies. One of her major goals was enhancing undergraduate education so she established the National Commission on Educating Undergraduates in the Research University to create a new model of undergraduate education for major research universities.

Kenny is also widely recognized for her initiatives to build bridges between the academic and business communities and has also been active in business and education collaborations on workforce issues. At Stony Brook she was committed to strengthening relations with business and involving the university deeply in community affairs.

Kenny has served as a member of the boards of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the Long Island Association and the Fulbright Association among others. She has been honored as Outstanding Woman at the University of Maryland, Outstanding Alumnus at the University of Chicago and recipient of the Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal.