Kirk D. Kern

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Kirk D. Kern

  • Position: Teaching Professor/Academic Director of Entrepreneurship Education
  • Phone: (419) 372-8944
  • Email: kkern@bgsu.edu
  • Address: 320 Maurer Center

At the age of 12, Kirk Kern started his professional career.  Hired by WTOD-AM in 1976, he became Toledo’s youngest radio personality.  Kern’s broadcasting career spanned over twenty years, moving upward from on-air talent into senior level management positions, culminating as President and General Manager of WRED-FM.  In addition, he managed WRQN-FM, and was responsible for putting WXKR-FM on the air.

The local broadcasting landscape began to change with the advent of corporate radio. “With homogenized radio, where every station in the market began to sound the same, I knew it was time to switch careers,” Kern said.  And so he did; he and his future wife became entrepreneurs, dreaming, developing and creating their own unique mobile teachers’ supply store, appropriately named The Bus Stop.

The next phase in Kern’s career was linked to the success of his entrepreneurial venture.  He was asked to join the administrative staff of the Lucas County Educational Service Center, one of the Bus Stops’ client school districts.  He spent many years managing the business affairs of the $25 million district.  His career as a public servant continued as an administrator in the Village of Waterville and the City of Maumee.  

In 2004, Mr. Kern earned his Masters’ Degree in Business Administration from the University of Findlay. It was at that point in his life that he decided to seek teaching opportunities in higher education. “I wanted the chance to share my business experiences with students and help them prepare for their future,” he said. “Many people helped me along the way in my career to reach success; now, in return, I want to be able to propel others to reach their goals.”

Since 2005, Kirk has taught nineteen different classes (in multiple disciplines), part-time at the University of Findlay, University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University.  He has been involved with five start-up entrepreneurial ventures and is a business consultant specializing in economic/community development, marketing and management.  Kern joined the faculty at BGSU fulltime in August of 2011.

Kirk Kern’s advice to students:

  • Find a career that you are passionate about, so that going to work each day is a joy.
  • Read The Wall Street Journal instead of your Facebook wall.
  • Diversify your education (learn a little about a lot of subjects). Chances are your career path will change directions several times before you retire.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Findlay, Magna Cum Laude, 12/7/02

Master of Business Administration from the University of Findlay, 12/11/04

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

Joined BGSU Schmidthorst College of Business Faculty as full-time instructor – 2011

Also serves as internship coordinator for the Business Career Accelerator Office, Schmidthorst College of Business Since 2005, part-time instructor at BGSU, University of Toledo, and University of Findlay

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Broadcasting
  • Economic and community development

Updated: 08/04/2023 09:48AM