Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins served as a member of the Board of Directors of Western & Southern Financial Group from 1990 to 2009 and was a renowned educator in the city of Cincinnati. He passed away on April 4, 2009.

Dr. Hawkins was a member of the elite Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American fighter pilots who fought valiantly in World War II without ever losing a plane. He earned undergraduate degrees from the University of Cincinnati (UC) in history and education. Additionally, he earned a master’s degree in psychology and administration, as well as a doctorate in education.

In 1945, he began teaching in Cincinnati Public Schools and went on to serve as principal of Samuel Ach Junior High School. In 1967, Dr. Hawkins became assistant superintendent in the Cincinnati Public Schools system. He joined the faculty at UC in1969 as a professor of education and community services. Subsequently, he founded the College of Community Affairs at UC and was appointed dean.

In 1974, Dr. Hawkins was promoted to vice president of continuing education and metropolitan affairs and promoted again in 1976 to executive vice president of administration. Dr. Hawkins was affiliated with the Mayor’s Police/Community Relations Panel, the Cincinnati Human Relations Committee, and the Community Development Advisory Council. He served on the board of directors for the Cincinnati Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank, Ohio Citizens Council for Health and Welfare, as well as Western & Southern Financial Group. Dr. Hawkins received numerous awards, including recognition as a Great Living Cincinnatian by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce.