Dr. Don Kirkpatrick
March 15, 1924 – May 9, 2014
Where Did The Four Levels Come From?
Dr. Don Kirkpatrick was Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin and Honorary Chairman of Kirkpatrick Partners until his passing in May of 2014.
Don is credited with creating The Kirkpatrick Model, the most recognized and widely used training evaluation model in the world. The four levels were developed in the 1950s, around the time he wrote his Ph.D. dissertation, Evaluating a Human Relations Training Program for Supervisors.
Don held B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He spent the majority of his professional career at the Management Institute of the University of Wisconsin. He taught managers at all levels the principles and techniques of many subjects, including Coaching, Communication, Managing Time, Managing Change, Team Building, and Leadership.
In industry, Don served as Training Director for International Minerals and Chemical Corp. and Human Resources Manager of Bendix Products Aerospace Division.
Don was a past national president of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) and the recipient of Gordon Bliss and “Lifetime Achievement in Workplace Learning and Performance” awards. He was a member of Training Magazine’s Hall Of Fame.
In 2007, Don received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Asia HRD Congress.
Don was the author of seven management inventories and seven books, including the 3rd edition of Evaluating Training Programs: The Four Levels, which has become the basis for evaluation all over the world.
His other books include: Implementing the Four Levels, Transferring Learning to Behavior, Developing Employees Through Appraisal and Coaching, 2nd edition (2006); How to Conduct Productive Meetings (2006); and Managing Change Effectively (2002).
Don was the Board Chairman of South Asian Ministries, an active member of Gideons International and a Senior Elder at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
His hobbies included fishing, tennis, golf, big band and classical music, directing church choirs, and writing his annual family Christmas poems.
In May of 2011, Don retired from public speaking and began using his musical and literary talent to write songs. To hear his songs, go to donkirkpatrick.bandcamp.com. In May of 2014, he passed away peacefully with close family by his side.
Learn More About The Kirkpatrick Model
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Dr. Don Kirkpatrick Timeline
Dr. Don Kirkpatrick Education and Professional Experience
| 1948 | BBA – University of Wisconsin, Madison |
| 1949 | MA – University of Wisconsin, Madison |
| 1954 | Ph.D. – University of Wisconsin, Madison |
| 1949-1960 | Professor: University of Wisconsin Management Institute, Madison |
| 1954 | Dissertation: Evaluating Human Relations Programs for Industrial Foremen and Supervisors |
| 1960-1962 | Training Manager: International Mineral and Chemical Corporation |
| 1962-1964 | Personnel Manager: Bendix Products Aerospace Division |
| 1964-1986 | Professor: University of Wisconsin Management Institute, Milwaukee |
Dr. Don Kirkpatrick Awards and Honors
| 1975 | President of ASTD |
| 1982 | Gordon M. Bliss Award, ASTD |
| 1997 | Elected to Training Magazine’s Hall of Fame |
| 2003 | ASTD Award for Lifetime Achievement in Workplace Learning and Performance |
| 2006 | Asia HRD Congress special award for Lifetime Achievement |
| 2006 | ASTD Award: One of four “Legends” in Training and Development |
| 2011 | Thought Leadership Award, ISA (Associated Learning Professionals) |
Dr. Don Kirkpatrick Publications
| 1954 | Evaluating Human Relations Programs for Industrial Foremen and Supervisors |
| 1959 | Articles on Reaction, Learning, Behavior and Results published in Journal of the American Society of Training Directors, ASTD |
| 1976 | Contributor to Training and Development Handbook: L. Craig |
| 1978 | No Nonsense Communication, 1st edition |
| 1983 | How to Manage Change Effectively – Best Book of the Year-ASPA (SHRM) |
| 1984 | How to Improve Performance Through Appraisal and Coaching – Best Book of the Year-ASPA (SHRM) |
| 1994 | Evaluating Training Programs, 1st edition |
| 1998 | Another Look at Evaluating Training Programs |
| 2001 | Developing Supervisors and Team Leaders |
| 2001 | Managing Change Effectively |
| 2005 | Transferring Learning to Behavior |
| 2006 | How to Conduct Productive Meetings |
| 2006 | Improving Employee Performance Through Appraisal and Coaching |
| 2007 | Implementing the Four Levels |
| 2008 | Contributor to Handbook for Workplace Learning Professionals |
Demonstrate Training Effectiveness with The Kirkpatrick Model
Learn how to apply the four levels to any program to increase performance and maximize results.