Robert F. Hawks, vice president for advancement at Woodward Academy in College Park, Georgia, the largest independent, college preparatory day school in the continental United States, was elected to Berea College’s board of trustees during the board’s May 2012 meeting. Hawks was appointed to a six-year term to begin July 1.
Hawks has served as senior advancement officer at Woodward Academy since 2003 where he has provided leadership for alumni relations, all fund-raising initiatives, marketing, communications, public relations and prospect research. He led the school’s first-ever comprehensive capital, endowment and annual giving campaign that exceeded its goal of $27 million, and he is currently directing the school’s second comprehensive campaign with a goal of nearly $60 million.
Prior to his current position, Hawks served as assistant headmaster for development at Providence Day School, an independent, college-preparatory day school in Charlotte, North Carolina. His responsibilities included the overall leadership of alumni relations, all fund-raising initiatives, marketing, publications, public relations and prospect research. He successfully directed two capital campaigns totaling nearly $20 million.
Hawks has also served in development and public relations leadership positions at The Lovett School in Atlanta, and Darlington School in Rome, Georgia. Throughout his career, he has been the recipient of numerous CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education) awards for his work. He also worked early in his career at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, serving in many capacities, most notably as the head track and field coach and as director of McCallie Sports Camp from 1981-88.
From 1979-81, Hawks served as assistant director of alumni affairs at Berea College, his alma mater. He graduated from Berea in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and was named outstanding young alumnus in 1993. He earned his master’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1983. Hawks is also a 1973 graduate of Greenbrier East High School located in Lewisburg, West Virginia.
Hawks resides in Peachtree City, Georgia, and is married to Kathy Beckman, who graduated from Berea in 1977 with a sociology degree. They have two children, Ryan and Meredith, and four grandchildren.