Coker College
Dawson holds a doctorate in higher education administration (1984) from Indiana University, and a master's degree in guidance and counseling (1970) and a bachelor's degree in sociology (1967) from the University of Evansville in Indiana. He was president of Tennessee Wesleyan College, a small liberal arts institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church from 1995 to 2002. He is now the president of Coker College.
From 1988-1995, Dawson worked at Fort Hays State University in Kansas, first as Vice President for Student Affairs and then as Vice President for Student and Institutional Development, overseeing fund-raising, alumni relations, public relations, admissions, financial aid, the registrar, student life and residence life. For 16 years prior to that, Dawson held a variety of administrative positions at the University of Evansville, culminating in the Vice President for Student Development.
Dawson has taught at the graduate and undergraduate level, and he has twice served as an academic dean. At Fort Hays State University, he was instrumental in creating a Leadership Development program as well as developing on-line registration and a degree audit program. The son of educators, Dawson spent his early life in Indiana. He began his career in higher education as an admissions counselor at the University of Evansville.
Dawson has gained national recognition for his contributions to the field of alcohol and drug abuse prevention. As a member of the Presidents Leadership Group, created under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, Dawson helped direct the national effort to involve the leadership of colleges and universities in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse.
Dawson has been active in higher education accreditation, serving as a peer evaluator for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He is a member of the Presidents Council for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, and has served as a reader for grant proposals submitted to the NCAA Choices program.
Dawson also serves the University Senate of the United Methodist Church as a consultant on accreditation issues, fund-raising, and strategic planning.
Dawson and his wife, Karen, are active in community and civic affairs. He was named Man of the Year in 2002 for the City of Athens, and they are both active members of their church, serving on a variety of committees. Karen is a member of the choir and the church ensemble, and she is the church music librarian. In their leisure time, the Dawsons enjoy golfing and boating. They have two children and two grandchildren.
The Center for College Health and Safety
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