Sources: Kirk Schulz, 785-532-6221, kirks@k-state.edu; Charles Reagan, 785-532-6221, reagan@k-state.edu
Photo available. Contact News Services at 785-532-6415 or media@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Jeff Morris, 785-532-2535, jbmorris@k-state.edu; and Cheryl May, 785-532-6415, may@k-state.edu

Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010

K-STATE CHIEF OF STAFF CHARLES REAGAN ANNOUNCES HIS RETURN TO THE FACULTY

MANHATTAN -- After serving in the office of the president for the past 24 years, Charles Reagan has announced that he will be returning to the faculty at the end of this academic year. He directly served Presidents Jon Wefald and Kirk Schulz during a K-State career which began in 1967. He began working in the president's office in 1986.

"I appreciate the outstanding job that Chuck has done in serving the senior administration for the last 24 years," said President Kirk Schulz. "During his tenure, he has provided exceptional service in helping Kansas State move to greater heights."

Reagan played a key leadership role when he assisted Schulz and incoming Athletic Director John Currie with their transition to Kansas State University during the past year.

"It has been my good fortune to have the wisdom and experience Dr. Reagan provides to rely upon as we have acclimated to Kansas State over the last eight months," Currie said. "He has provided great insight as a cabinet colleague and been an important factor in the launch of the new K-State Athletics Board of Directors."

Reagan has chaired the Landon Lecture Series for the past 26 years, bringing U.S. and foreign heads of state, Pulitzer Prize winners, Nobel laureates, senators, prominent historians, national media personalities and more. His tenure has included lectures by U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush; Jimmy Carter; George W. Bush; and Bill Clinton. Foreign heads of state included President Jose Napoleon Duarte, El Salvador; Oscar Arias, Costa Rica; Violetta Chomorro, Nicaragua; Gen. Wojciech Jaruzelski and Lech Walesa, Poland; Ernesto Zedillo and Vicente Fox, Mexico; and Mikhail Gorbachev, U.S.S.R.

"When alumni speak of their most cherished memories of K-State, they often mention attending a Landon Lecture," said Amy Button Renz, president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. "Chuck has provided tens of thousands of alumni, students and other friends lasting educational opportunities to hear from prominent worldwide leaders. He has played an integral role in advancing the university's presence throughout the state and nation, and we have been truly fortunate to have his leadership."

As chief of staff and deputy to the president, Reagan supervises the offices of affirmative action and general counsel, as well as McCain Auditorium and the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art. Through grants and fund-raising, Reagan has brought more than $19 million to K-State in his career. Since 2003, he became administratively responsible for funding the Institute for Military History, and in that role has been principal investigator for nearly $10 million in federal grants for security studies at K-State.

Reagan, originally from Wichita, began his K-State career as an assistant professor of philosophy. He served as an associate professor of philosophy from 1972-1980 and became professor and head of the philosophy department in 1980. Reagan was named associate to President Jon Wefald in 1986. In 2009, President Kirk Schulz named him chief of staff and deputy to the president.

A 1964 graduate of Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass., Reagan received his master's degree from the University of Kansas in 1966, and in 1967 he became the first person to earn a doctorate in philosophy from KU. In addition, Reagan studied at the Institute de'etudes europeennes and the University of Paris. In the mid-1970s, Reagan was a researcher in Paris and a Fulbright visiting professor at the University of Toulouse.

Reagan is a specialist in French philosophy and is a biographer and expert on the famous French philosopher Paul Ricoeur. Reagan is the author of six books and numerous articles. During the 2010-11 academic year, Reagan will be on a full-year sabbatical, during which time he will work on two books, including a memoir of his recollections of personal conversations with his friend, the late French philosopher Paul Ricoeur.

Reagan has had a parallel career as a commuter airline pilot, flight instructor and charter pilot. He holds an Airline Transport Rating and jet rated. He flies as captain of the university's Citation Jet and holds the title of professor of aviation as well as professor of philosophy. He is a member of the board of directors of the National Business Aviation Association and is the K-State representative to the Aviation Advisory Board at Manhattan Regional Airport. He is also a licensed railroad locomotive engineer.

A search for Reagan's successor will begin immediately. Schulz will chair the search committee, and will be joined by Provost April Mason, and Director of Government Relations Susan Peterson. Reagan will have the title of senior adviser to the president and will be responsible for helping his successor transition into the position.