Retired Kroger Executive Joseph A. Pichler to Receive Honorary Doctorate From the University of Cincinnati

Joseph A. Pichler, a tireless advocate for opportunity in education and retired Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Kroger Co., will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters at the University Commencement Ceremony at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 13, in Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center. The honorary degree represents the highest award given by the University of Cincinnati.

Pichler is credited for his key role on the management team that saved Kroger from a hostile takeover in the late 80s, and for guiding the merger that would build the largest supermarket company in the nation. In 2003, he was inducted into the Grocery Manufacturer’s Association Grocery Hall of Fame.

He began his career in academics, publishing research articles and books and serving as professor at the University of Kansas School of Business before serving as dean from 1974-1980. He earned a BBA in marketing and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Notre Dame University in 1961. He also holds an MBA and PhD from the University of Chicago.

Pichler is chair of Xavier University’s Board of Trustees. His dedication to making higher education accessible to all young people led to his support of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative and co-founding the Greater Cincinnati Scholarship Association. He is vice chair of the Cincinnati City Center Development Corporation (3CDC) and is chair of a 3CDC work group to develop and preserve Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine.

From 2001-2003, he served as co-chair of the Economic Inclusion Committee of Cincinnati CAN (Community Action Now). He serves on the aboard of directors of Macy’s Inc., on the advisory board of the Cincinnati chapter of the Salvation Army and is an advisory member of the board of the Cincinnati Opera.

In 2008, Pichler was named a Great Living Cincinnatian by the Cincinnati Regional Chamber of Commerce for his community leadership. He and his wife, Susan, have four children.

UC Commencement Information