Remembering Kenneth Rogers

IU Global Remembers Kenneth Rogers

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Kenneth Rogers impacted the lives of thousands of international Hoosiers across the globe as students and alumni. We invite you to share your thoughts, memories, and condolences.

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A private service will be held for family. Donations in honor of Kenneth may be made to the Global Engagement Scholarship.

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On Friday, December 6, 2019, Kenneth Aldred Rogers, former Associate Dean of International Programs and Director of International Services at Indiana University, passed away at the age of 82. He dedicated a quarter century of his life to leadership in the field of international education and exchange services for foreign students and scholars. Known as a colleague of surpassing kindness and wisdom, he played an important part in many students’ lives over the years.

Kenneth was born on April 15, 1937, in Union, NJ and received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College in 1959 and his graduate degree from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School in 1961.

Patrick O'Meara and Kenneth Rogers with students from Malaysia, circa 2001

On May 24, 1966, he married Eleanor Hutchinson. Their life together started abroad as Kenneth served in the Foreign Service in Burma, now Myanmar. The Burmese people left a lasting impression, which he honored by supporting many who fled from government persecution in subsequent years.

Before coming to IUB, Rogers served as director of the International Office at Washington University in St. Louis. Previously, he worked in admissions for Dartmouth College, in volunteer services for the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C., and, early in his career, as a Foreign Service officer for the U.S. Information Agency in Burma, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

"Indiana University is legendary because of the many ways in which it supports, fosters, and guides students from all over the world. Ken helped to set in place and expand this great tradition."

- Patrick O’Meara

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Among the numerous and innovative programs he developed over the years at IU was the very successful U.S. Department of State–funded Burmese Refugee Scholarship Program. This program brought Burmese refugee students to IUB for pre-academic training and college placement services.

He was a nationally recognized leader in his field and received much recognition from professional organizations such as NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the premier organization that provides training, information, and services to over 10,000 professionals worldwide in international education and exchange.

In May 1999, he received NAFSA’s highest honor, the Homer Higbee Award for distinguished and continuous service, which cited his “expertise, dedication, wisdom, and compassionate personality.” At the end of his career he was also named a Distinguished Hoosier and a Sagamore of the Wabash.

He will be remembered as a man of surpassing quality: humble, gracious, loving, and true. Intelligent and compassionate, he sought to live well by serving others and building understanding through education.

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