Former Hopkinsville mayor Dan Kemp is resigning six weeks before his term as chairman of the Murray State University Board of Regents ends to accommodate the appointment of his successor.
Former mayor Kemp’s term was scheduled to end June 30, but he will step away on May 15. Also a longtime local attorney, Kemp is a Murray State alumnus who has served on the Board of Regents since 2014.
The board was out of compliance regarding political registration and the Senate has confirmed Leon Owens of Paducah to serve. Owens is the chief executive officer of Swift & Staley Inc. in Paducah and is an alumnus of Murray State. His term will expire on June 30, 2025.
Kemp is quoted in a news release as saying, “It has been an honor to serve as a member of the Board of Regents of Murray State University since 2014. I have enjoyed my service on the Board and it has been a distinct honor to serve as Board Chair this past year. Under the circumstances, I was glad to facilitate the Senate confirmation of Regent Leon Owens by resigning my post six weeks early. It was the right thing to do because Regent Owens is a highly qualified person who I know will serve with great distinction during his six-year term.”