2007 Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal Recipient

A literary scholar, teacher, and academic administrator, Dr. Kenny is the first woman to serve as president of Stony Brook University, where her leadership since 1994 has resulted in major increases in student enrollment, campus improvements, and business and community linkages. During her tenure, Stony Brook University added two campuses, Stony Brook Manhattan and Stony Brook Southampton, and also created the Stony Brook Research Park. Dr. Kenny holds bachelor's degrees in English and journalism from the University of Texas, a master's degree from the University of Minnesota, and a doctoral degree from the University of Chicago. She was a Fulbright fellow to the United Kingdom in 1957. In conjunction with Battelle Corporation, she established Brookhaven Science Associates in 1998 to administer Brookhaven National Laboratory for the U.S Department of Energy. She currently chairs the Brookhaven Science Associates Board of Directors. Dr. Kenny launched and chaired the Boyer Commission on Educating Undergraduates in the Research University, which published "Reinventing Undergraduate Education in the Research University." She was president of Queens College from 1985 to 1994. Dr. Kenny has taught at the University of Texas, Gallaudet University, the Catholic University of America, the University of Delaware, and the University of Maryland. She has published five books and many articles.