Edward J. Kerns

In memoriam, Edward Kerns was a visionary abstract painter and professor emeritus who helped build Lafayette College’s art program from the ground up over a remarkable 40-year career. Described by one fellow colleague as a “unicorn, a magical creature,” Kerns passionately blended art with science and connected the campus to the city of Easton through major projects like the Williams Visual Arts Building and the Karl Stirner Arts Trail. Remembered as a deeply inspiring mentor and community builder, his creative spirit leaves an enduring mark on everyone he reached.

(Read the original reporting in full by Editor-in-Chief Elisabeth Seidel at The Lafayette.)

Research interests: painting, drawing, and two-dimensional design.

Honors: Recipient of Van Artsdalen Prize for scholarly achievement; Crawford Award; Lindback Foundation Award; Jones Award for teaching; Jones Lecture Award