Aaron Hawkins, Kent State ’96.
By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11
The opportunities and experiences afforded to us as members of Phi Kappa Tau are plentiful, and not lacking in their advantages, but none are as beautiful and life changing as those provided to Aaron Hawkins, Kent State ’96. As an associate member of Phi Tau, Hawkins partook in a Kent State tradition called Song Fest. At the event, fraternities and sororities would pair up and prepare a lip sync routine to perform on stage. Having the good fortune to be paired with a sister of the Chi Omega sorority named Melissa, Hawkins would get a brief glimpse into the rest of his life. Now, after twenty-one years of marriage, Aaron and Melissa Hawkins have two daughters, Ali and Melody.
Hawkins family at Disney.
Finding more than love and family in his time as an undergraduate member of Phi Tau, Hawkins described his experience as extraordinary. Hoping to give back to current and future members of Phi Tau, Hawkins has been named the new Bluegrass Domain Director. No stranger to service, Hawkins has served as BOG Chairman for the Beta Mu chapter, Interim Director of Greek Affairs, and as a part-time adjunct professor for the MBA program at Kent State University. After seeing the posting for the open Domain Director position, Hawkins decided to put his risk management and strong financial background to work for our organization. Having held positions with Joann Fabrics, Dollar General, US Bank, and now the VP and Treasury Management Officer for Simmons Bank, he enters this position with an abundance of experience.
Hawkins running a race.
Outside of family, work, and volunteering, Hawkins is an avid distance runner. Overcoming a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2003 and a lung cancer diagnosis in 2019—which resulted in the loss of the majority of his left lung—Hawkins celebrated his 50th birthday in May of 2022 by running his 50th full marathon in Cleveland, Ohio. Furthering his love for running, Hawkins also serves as the head cross country coach and assistant track coach for a high school in Tennessee.
Congratulations to our newest Domain Director, our Bluegrass schools and this organization have gained a valuable resource.