Detailed News Story

La Plume, Pa. – Keystone College President Dr. Edward G. Boehm, Jr., announced today that he will complete his final year as Keystone’s ninth president on June 1, 2013, after 18 successful years, the longest presidential tenure in Keystone College history. At the request of the Board of Trustees, he will then transition to the role of President Emeritus, continuing to serve the college in various duties on campus and in the community.

President Boehm made the announcement to Keystone’s faculty and staff during a college-wide meeting Friday afternoon, August 31, in Hibbard Campus Center.  Keystone will begin a nationwide search for President Boehm’s successor, with an announcement expected before the end of the 2012-2013 academic year.

“It has been a great privilege and honor to serve as Keystone’s president for nearly two decades,” President Boehm said. “During that time, Keystone has grown from a junior college to one of the most respected baccalaureate institutions in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This phenomenal accomplishment is due to the talent and tremendous dedication of the entire Keystone family, including our students, faculty, staff, and administration, supported by our board of trustees, alumni, and friends. We have accomplished so much during this time, but most importantly, we have accomplished it together. Regina (Keystone First Lady Regina Boehm) and I will never forget your kindness, compassion and, most of all, your love of Keystone College.”

“Ned Boehm will go down in Keystone history for his vital role in helping the college survive and prosper when the future was very much in doubt,” said Thomas “Tim” Speicher, ’72, chair of Keystone’s Board of Trustees. “We all owe him a great deal of gratitude for his numerous accomplishments and, most importantly, his tremendous dedication to Keystone College.”    

President Boehm began his Keystone tenure in 1995, a time when the enrollment had dwindled to less than 400 students, and the school was in need of an infusion of energy and enthusiasm.  

Under his leadership, Keystone became a baccalaureate college in 1998 and granted its first bachelor’s degree to one student in 2000. Since then, the college has progressed steadily, adding academic programs and attracting more students each year. During the 2012 commencement ceremony, Keystone conferred 355 degrees, the vast majority of which were bachelor’s degrees. Keystone’s total enrollment is now nearly 1,800 students.

In addition to his academic leadership, President Boehm has become known for his optimistic attitude and genuine friendship, particularly his personal interest in all Keystone students. He is often quoted as saying, “We know our students not only by their names but by their dreams.” Keystone students will readily attest that statement is a true reflection of his personality.

President and Mrs. Boehm have become well-known and respected leaders in the community, taking active roles in many civic and community organizations. For example, they jointly received the B’nai B’rith Amos Lodge No.136 Americanism Award and served as co-chairs for the United Way of Lackawanna County 2003-2004 Campaign Fund Drive. President Boehm served on the United Way of Lackawanna County Board of Directors, President of Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), as a board member of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Advisory Board, and Tyler Memorial Hospital, among many others.

Prior to his position at Keystone, President Boehm was a senior vice president for institutional advancement at Marshall University in West Virginia. He also held senior administrative positions at American University and Texas Christian University. He has a bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University in Maryland and a master’s degree and doctorate from American University.

President and Mrs. Boehm are the parents of two sons, Evan and wife Melissa, and Andrew and wife Sarah, and grandparents of Grant Edward Boehm and Catherine Beckett Boehm.

Please click here for a list of major accomplishments achieved during President Boehm's tenure.