Kentucky Wesleyan College will formally inaugurate Dr. James P. Cousins as its 36th president on Friday, April 25. The ceremony is set for 1 p.m. at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 201 E. Fourth St. The public is invited to attend.
Cousins officially assumed the role on July 1, 2024, following his service as the college’s provost and vice president of academic affairs since 2021.
“This inauguration marks an extraordinary milestone in our history,” said Fred Wright, a 1980 graduate and chair of the college’s Board of Trustees. “We invite the community to join us as we celebrate the strengths of our past and honor Dr. Cousins’ able leadership as we move forward to an even brighter future.”
Cousins brings a distinguished background in higher education, with prior roles at institutions including Kentucky State University, Berea College, Eastern Kentucky University, the University of Kentucky, and most recently, Western Michigan University. There, he served as associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, focusing on student success, faculty engagement, curriculum development and assessment.
A historian specializing in the Early American Republic, Cousins has authored two books and published numerous essays and articles in journals such as The Journal of American History, The Journal of Southern History, and Ohio Valley History. He has been a featured speaker at national conferences and is a recipient of several honors, including fellowships from the American Council on Education and the Kentucky Historical Society.
Cousins holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and both a master’s and doctorate from the University of Kentucky.
He and his wife, Carrie — a Georgetown native and Murray State alumna — have one son, James “JP.”
For more information about the inauguration, contact Peggie Greer in the President’s Office at 270-852-3104.
