Rain could not dampen the spirits in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management on September 16, as a group of 30 faculty, staff, and students gathered for a surprise event. Kathleen King, busy conducting a headshot and resume writing session, was unaware of the unexpected honor that awaited her.
With pompoms and buttons in hand, the group made their way down the hallway, cheering as they went. Kathleen King, taken by surprise, was greeted by the energetic crowd.
Michelle Gardner, who co-directs the Community, Leadership, Alliances, and Belonging (CoLAB) Center, announced the purpose of this gathering. “Every year, students nominate a dedicated staff member to be the year’s Homecoming dedicatee,” Gardner explained. “This year, that person is you!”
King, overwhelmed with emotion, exclaimed, “SHUT UP!” as she covered her mouth, tears flowing.
Having served at Northern Arizona University (NAU) for over 22 years, King, a two-time Lumberjack alumna, is known for her commitment to teaching freshmen in the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Her passion for education and dedication to easing the transition to college life for newcomers won her the 2025 Teacher of the Year award. “I absolutely love my students,” King shared. “I love when they come in wide-eyed and fresh-faced and so eager to learn. I see them at graduation, after they’ve accomplished this really hard thing, and it’s so special knowing I was a part of the beginning.”
This year, King becomes the 86th Homecoming dedicatee, joining a tradition that began in 1936 of honoring impactful faculty and staff. In celebration of this recognition, King will participate in a luncheon, judge the annual chili cookoff, and be acknowledged at halftime during the Homecoming football game against Portland State.
“I am just stunned,” King remarked. “I like flying under the radar—I live under the radar—and I assumed I was doing that. I read about NAU’s Homecoming dedicatees every year and think they are such amazing people. I never thought I would fall into that category. Never.”
The special moment was further enhanced by the presence of her family, who were part of the cheering crowd. Daughter Victoria Birch, an NAU senior, said, “I found out about a month ago, and because my mom and I talk every day, it was incredibly difficult to keep the secret from her. I am just so proud. It makes me so happy. She is so deserving.”
As King looks forward to celebrating Homecoming in a new way, she remains devoted to quietly impacting the lives of her students, making a lasting difference in their educational journeys.
View the photos from Wednesday’s dedicatee tapping.
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