Mary Bowman Hampton Named Senior Vice President for University Marketing and Dr. Kathryn D. Kloepper Named Chief of Staff
MACON, Ga. — Mercer University President Dr. Penny L. Elkins announced on March 23 the appointment of Mary Bowman Hampton as senior vice president for university marketing and Dr. Kathryn D. Kloepper as chief of staff.
Hampton’s appointment is effective April 6, and Dr. Kloepper’s appointment is effective immediately.
“I am very pleased to make these key University leadership appointments,” President Elkins said. “Both Mary Bowman Hampton and Dr. Kathryn Kloepper bring significant experience to these roles — Mary with more than 20 years of corporate, regional and public affairs experience at Cox Communications, and Kathy with more than 15 years on the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty and almost six years as vice provost for engaged learning. I look forward to the contributions they will both make in their respective positions as we continue to advance Mercer University as the most impactful private research university of its size in the world.”
As senior vice president for University marketing, Hampton will serve as the University’s spokesperson and chief brand steward and oversee the Office of Marketing Communications, which publishes The Mercerian and maintains The Den, a daily news and features website. The office is also responsible for Mercer’s website, social media channels, media relations, graphic design, photography, videography and arts marketing.
Dr. Kloepper, as chief of staff, will manage the Office of the President and presidential communications, coordinate the president’s cabinet meetings, and oversee presidential initiatives.
Both Hampton and Dr. Kloepper will serve as members of the president’s executive cabinet, which also includes Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Lisa Murphey Lundquist; Senior Vice President for Strategic Initiatives Kellie R. Appel; Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Julia T. Davis; Senior Vice President and General Counsel Matthew R. Hall; Vice Provost Dr. Keith E. Howard; Senior Vice President for University Advancement John A. Patterson; Vice President and Dean of Students Dr. Douglas Pearson; and Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Maria Hammett.
Hampton currently serves as corporate communications director for Cox Communications, the largest division of Cox Enterprises, where she directs national community relations strategies across 22 markets, strengthens brand reputation and advances company priorities. In this role, she also serves as the division’s liaison to the James M. Cox Foundation. She previously served as regional communications director, overseeing media relations, crisis communications, internal communications and community relations for Cox markets in Middle Georgia, Florida and Louisiana, with later oversight of internal communications for Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. She joined Cox in 2003 as public affairs manager for Cox’s Middle Georgia market. Prior to joining Cox, she served as marketing director for Macon’s International Cherry Blossom Festival.
Hampton earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia and a Master of Mass Communication degree from the University of South Carolina. She has been recognized with a number of industry awards, was named to Macon Magazine’s 5 under 40, and is a graduate of Leadership Macon and Leadership Georgia.
“Mercer is where vision and action meet, and I’m thrilled to become a part of its journey,” said Hampton. “I’m deeply grateful for the confidence Dr. Elkins has placed in me, and I look forward to amplifying the University’s powerful and transformative story.”
Dr. Kloepper joined the Mercer faculty in 2009 as visiting professor of chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. In 2010, she was appointed assistant professor of chemistry, was promoted to associate professor and granted tenure in 2015, and was promoted to full professor in 2022. She directed the College’s Great Books Program from 2015-2017 and directed Mercer’s Research That Reaches Out Quality Enhancement Plan from 2017 to 2021. In 2020, Dr. Kloepper was appointed vice provost for engaged learning. Last year she coordinated the University’s successful application for the highly competitive Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, which was awarded in January of this year. She also contributed to Mercer’s recognition in 2022 as one of three recipients of the worldwide Council on Undergraduate Research’s (CUR) Campus-Wide Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments (AURA).
A graduate of the University of Dallas, Dr. Kloepper earned her Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Illinois. During her time at Mercer, Dr. Kloepper has mentored more than 35 undergraduate researchers and co-authored more than a dozen peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters with Mercer faculty and students. She is the recipient of the 2013-2014 Innovations in Teaching Award, which is co-sponsored by the Vulcan Materials Company and Mercer. In 2017, Dr. Kloepper was recognized by the Student Government Association as Professor of the Year.
“I am honored to be appointed by President Elkins to this position. I am deeply committed to Mercer, and I look forward to continuing to serve and learn in this new capacity,” Dr. Kloepper said. “I am thankful to Larry Brumley for his example of decades of service with past-President (William D.) Underwood and, during this transition, with President Elkins and her team. I will enthusiastically and purposefully carry forward his standard of excellence in supporting President Elkins and Mercer University as chief of staff.”
Hampton and Dr. Kloepper succeed Larry D. Brumley, who has served as chief of staff since 2006 and as senior vice president for marketing communications since 2008. He will transition to retirement and serve in a part-time role as senior counsel to the president, overseeing Mercer Music at Capricorn, The Piedmont Grand Opera House and The Robins Financial Capitol Theatre, as well as work on special projects.
“Though his retirement had been announced, Larry Brumley chose to give Mercer one more extraordinary gift,” President Elkins said. “He chose to remain — steadfast and generous — to ensure a seamless and successful presidential transition. I am deeply grateful for his counsel, his wisdom, and his unwavering devotion to our beloved Mercer.”
“From the day I was elected president of Mercer, Larry Brumley has been my closest confidant,” said Underwood. “His quiet and thoughtful leadership has contributed mightily to the progress at Mercer and in Macon. I know Larry is especially proud of the central roles he played in creating the Center for Collaborative Journalism, in reviving Capricorn, and in overseeing The Grand Opera House. He planned on retiring in June 2025, but generously agreed to remain until I completed my term and to help President Elkins get off to a great start. I am so pleased that Larry will remain connected to Mercer in his new role.”
