Samuel A. Kirkpatrick was the nineteenth president of Eastern Michigan University serving from 2000 to 2004. Before arriving at Eastern Micigan University, Kirkpatrick earned a bachelor's degree in education from Shippensburg University and his masters and Ph.D. in political science from Pennsylvania State University. In the years following, from 1970 to 1990, Kirkpatrick was employed as faculty by several colleges and universities, most notably as the head of the Political Science Department at Texas A&M University and later the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University. Kirkpatrick was the fourth president of the University of Texas at San Antonio. During his nine years at UTSA, from 1990 to 1999, Kirkpatrick oversaw major expansion at the school, including building projects, degree programs and enrollment.

While serving as President at EMU, Kirkpatrick developed a comprehensive strategic development plan and regorganized the University's leadership by creating the position of Vice-President for Advancement, as well as a new chief officer of information. He also made certain to gain re-addcreditation for the University. Extending academics on campus was also an important goal of Kirkpatricks, and he supported many new graduate and undergraduate programs, including the introductions of a Ph.D. in technology and clinical psychology. He pushed for a larger presidents house, stating more space would be better suited for holding events and fundraisers at the home; the cost to complete this renovation is estimated at 6 million dollars.

Kirkpatrick resigned from Eastern Michigan University in 2004.