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ALUMNI ACCOLADES

Rudolph Karkosak, '91EdD, was one of four alumni of the College of Education ad Public Policy honored with the 2009 Outstanding Alumni Award at a dinner held Friday, June 5, as part of the University of Delaware's first-ever Forum and Reunion Weekend.

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ALUMNI ACCOLADES

Rudolph F. Karkosak Honored as Outstanding Alum

festival of words

Rudolph Karkosak, ‘91EdD, was one of four alumni of the College of Education ad Public Policy honored with the 2009 Outstanding Alumni Award at a dinner held Friday, June 5, as part of the University of Delaware’s first-ever Forum and Reunion Weekend.

Governor Jack Markell attended the wine-and-cheese reception prior to dinner and presented Karkosak and the other outstanding alumni with a special commendation from the state of Delaware for their achievement and service.

Karkosak received his Ed.D. in educational leadership in 1991. He is currently the superintendent of the Kennett Consolidated School District of Pennsylvania. He has been a teacher and administrator in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania for 43 years and has been honored as Delaware’s Secondary School Principal of the Year and as Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year.

In Delaware, Karkosak served as principal of two schools in the Red Clay School District over a period of 13 years, playing a key role in the desegregation work of Conrad Middle School and Wilmington High School. In 1991, he moved to Maryland’s Wicomico County schools, where he served first as director of strategic planning and then as assistant superintendent.

In 1999, he became superintendent of the Kennett Consolidated School District. During his tenure there, the Kennett schools have experienced a surge in the population of Latino students, which increased from 22 to 32 percent between 1999 and 2007, and Karkosak has overseen significant efforts to boost the enrollment and retention of Spanish-speaking and migrant students. Over the past few years, Kennett’s high school dropout rate has been less than two percent.

Karkosak was nominated for the award by Professor Bob Hampel.

“Receiving my doctorate in 1991 opened many new doors and opportunities,” Karkosak said upon receiving his award. “It provided the credentials, the knowledge, and the access to the superintendency that I have enjoyed over the past decade. It was the impetus that changed the second half of my career.”

He continued, “The University of Delaware, especially the School of Education, has played a major role in my life and my family. My wife graduated from the University, as well as my two daughters, three sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, and a niece. All but one became a teacher.

“During my administrative career, I have worked with hundreds of graduates from this University who excel in their craft and have served as outstanding educators and alumni. I’m thankful to be singled out as one of them.”

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