Kyle Murnen graduated from Hillsdale in 2009. Courtesy | Austin Thomason
Kyle Murnen ’09 became chief of staff to College President Larry Arnn in July, following the retirement of Michael Harner ’82.
“I have known Kyle since he was about 19 years old,” Arnn said in an email to the Collegian. “He has always been high minded, eager, and intelligent. I have watched him grow to be a father, a husband, a man. He is a fine worker and colleague, and I am glad to have him.”
As chief of staff, Murnen manages the activities of the President’s Office and coordinates instruction, outreach, and operations for the college.
Murnen said his first priority is to help Arnn in whatever way possible to advance the mission of the college.
“We have really big ambitions and dreams, but people are pulling in the same direction and really happy and excited about that,” Murnen said. “So however this position can help keep that beautiful thing that Dr. Arnn’s been able to build over those years — I’m trying to serve that as best I can.”
Murnen said he also hopes to expand college outreach and provide learning opportunities to as many people as possible.
“This fortunate group that gets to study here in Hillsdale — how can we take that learning and get it to as many people as possible?” he said. “That’s a fun challenge to work on and that involves working with a lot of people around here and also people outside the college.”
Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Murnen received a bachelor’s degree in English from Hillsdale before completing his master’s degree and doctoral program coursework in the Van Andel Graduate School of Statesmanship.
After working as an admissions counselor for two years following graduation, Murnen served as assistant to the president from 2011-2019. Most recently, he held the role of director of online learning beginning in 2019 until taking on the chief of staff role this summer.
Murnen credits Arnn in part for his decision to continue his education and career at Hillsdale after taking Arnn’s class on Winston Churchill his senior year.
He said he has only grown in admiration for Arnn since working more closely with him on a daily basis.
“He’s the busiest man I know but is never in a rush when he feels like he has an opportunity to teach someone something,” Murnen said. “He does that nearly universally with the people he meets. He’s just extraordinarily gracious and generous with his time and always aiming to teach and help people. And I think that’s the most inspiring part of him.”
As a student, Murnen was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He said he also worked several jobs on campus, from cafeteria dish washer to research assistant in the President’s Office.
Murnen met his wife, Courtney Yeutter ’09, at Hillsdale, and the couple married in 2012. They now live in Hillsdale with their five children.
“It’s been a blessing to stay here and be able to raise our family here in this community with the college around and all the great people you have in Hillsdale,” Murnen said. “That’s been a real blessing and joy for us.”
Murnen has taken over the position from his long-time mentor Harner, who worked as chief of staff since the role’s creation in 2006. Harner previously served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy, reaching the rank of commander, before returning to Hillsdale as director of alumni relations in 2004. He will remain on campus as associate men’s golf coach.
Harner said he has known Murnen since he stepped on campus for the first time.
“Kyle’s incredibly talented, incredibly smart, and you’ll never get the feeling that he thinks he’s smart,” Harner said. “The smartest guy in the room is probably the guy who’s not talking about being the smartest guy in the room. He’s just a very bright, discerning man. He’s very prudent.”
Murnen said he was honored to work with Harner for a few months to learn the role.
“In the Navy, we talk about somebody having a ‘big rudder,’” Harner said. “It’s like a moral compass. He knows the direction he’s going to go and he’s going to steer that way.”