Hatton Hired to Oversee Admissions and Student Development

Bluefield University recently hired a new vice president. Karl Hatton has joined the BU family as the new VP for admissions and student development.

Hatton is originally from Paducah, Kentucky. He graduated from Mid-Continent University in Mayfield, Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He later earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Campbellsville University, and he has completed his studies (all but his dissertation) for a Ph.D. in leadership from the University of the Cumberlands.

Hatton has served in higher education for almost 15 years. Before that, he was in full-time ministry, serving a few churches as a youth pastor, associate pastor, and pastor. He also served as a regional director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in western Kentucky. 

Hatton has been married to his wife, Lynn, for 25 years, and they have four children: Preston (24), Maddie (22), Emma (18), and Lyla (15). Hatton lives in Bluefield, Virginia, while his wife and two youngest children live in Calhoun, Georgia. He visits his family on the weekends as often as possible as his two youngest children are a freshman and a senior in high school, and he wants to experience these times with his daughters. 

While just in his first semester at BU, Hatton has several goals he hopes to achieve with students.

“It is my hope to create a culture that supports the students by engaging them with opportunities and activities across campus,” Hatton said. “I want students to feel seen, supported and appreciated for who they are and help them discover God’s great purpose for their lives.”

Hatton said he also hopes to get students involved in the community.

“I want to look for more opportunities within our local communities to share the opportunities that BU has to offer their students,” Hatton said.