UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Stephen Kampf has been appointed senior director of Campus Recreation, effective Sept. 26.
Kampf comes to Penn State from the State University of New York College at Cortland, where he served two years as the director of recreational sports. Prior to this, Kampf served 14 years as the assistant vice president for Student Affairs and Director of Recreation and Wellness at Bowling Green State University, where he oversaw the recreational sports programs and facility operations, as well as a comprehensive student wellness program that included education on general wellness areas of nutrition, alcohol and other drugs, bystander intervention and sexual health.
For Kampf, moving to Penn State feels like “coming back home.”
“I am originally from Pennsylvania. I was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Berwick, Pa. My wife has two degrees in speech-language pathology from Penn State,” he said. “The opportunity to work on this campus is the high point in my career.”
As senior director of Campus Recreation, a unit of Student Affairs, Kampf will oversee the operations of recreational and fitness facilities like the White and Intramural buildings, Tennis Center, McCoy Natatorium and Stone Valley Recreation Area. He will be responsible for the fitness and wellness, intramural sports, club sports and outdoor adventures programs.
“The evolution of Campus Recreation at Penn State in the past decade, from programs to facilities, is a remarkable success story that is still being written. Steve Kampf’s success elsewhere bodes well for the continued excellence we seek. And as our students think more about wellness and seek additional engagement, I am confident that Steve and the professionals he shall lead will do all they can to add meaningfully to the experience of students and everyone else who benefits from recreation at Penn State,” said Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs.
Kampf said he is most looking forward to collaborating with students and fellow Penn State employees through this role.
“The opportunity to work with student leaders, employees and participants is something I really enjoy about working on a college campus,” he said. “I'm excited to be working with the staff of Campus Recreation while being a part of Student Affairs.”
Kampf earned a Bachelor of Science in health and physical education from Lock Haven University, a master of education in physical education from East Stroudsburg University, and a doctoral of philosophy in higher education from University at Buffalo. Throughout his career, Kampf has achieved more than 25 publications in higher education journals and delivered over 25 professional presentations.
Kampf succeeds Linda Buonanno, who served as interim senior director of Campus Recreation from January 2022 to present.