Thomas Kunkel (born September 24, 1955) is an author, journalist, educator and president of St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.
Kunkel earned his B.A. in political science at the University of Evansville in 1977 and his master's degree in humanities from there in 1979. He spent much of his early career in the newspaper industry, working in editorial and managerial roles for newspapers,including the San Jose Mercury News, the Miami Herald, The New York Times, and The Cincinnati Post.
From 1997 to 2000 he served as editor and director of the Project on the State of the American Newspaper. From 2000 to 2008, Kunkel was dean of the Philip Merrill College of Journalism and president of the American Journalism Review at the University of Maryland.
Kunkel has authored or edited six books. His book, Man in Profile: Joseph Mitchell of The New Yorker, was published in 2015.
In 2008, Kunkel became seventh president of St. Norbert College.
In his inaugural speech, Kunkel spoke of maintaining the core values of the Catholic, liberal arts college: reflection, service to others, and a sense of community.
Since then, he has overseen new developments at the college, including the introduction of the Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in Liberal Studies graduate programs; the launch of the Donald J. Schneider School of Business & Economics; a partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin; the implementation of a new core curriculum; and the establishment of a biennial academic conference titled “Sport and Society in America” that is co-sponsored by the Green Bay Packers.
He also led a fundraising campaign that exceeded its $90 million goal and resulted in the construction of a new science facility, enhancement of existing campus facilities, an increase in the school’s endowment, additional support to faculty and student programs, and increased financial aid for students.