Kathy (Gaines) Carr, a 1978 Bluffton graduate, long-time educator and community advocate, will address Bluffton University’s 2023 graduating class during the May 6 Commencement ceremony in Sommer Center.

Carr began her career with Fort Wayne Community Schools as a special education teacher in 1978, teaching severe and profoundly mentally handicapped students, moderately mentally handicapped students and students with learning disabilities.  During her 42 years with the district, she continuously took on advanced responsibilities and served as a resource teacher, dean of students, principal, manager of recruitment and hiring, and director of human resources. She earned both a Master of Science in Elementary Education and a Master of Science in Elementary School Administration from Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne.

Carr has been active on many boards and service organizations ranging from the National Education Association to the Board of Directors for the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Northeast Indiana. Carr has also served in leadership roles with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Fort Wayne Alliance of Black School Educators among others. Since retiring in 2020, she has been a consultant with South Bend Community Schools. Carr was awarded the Lifetime Service Award by Bluffton University in October 2022. 

She is the proud mother of two daughters and an even more proud grandma of five.