Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership

Among the expectations of the Board is that the new President will provide leadership and vision to planning and fund raising, enhancing the University’s niche in the market, and strengthening the sense of community, both internally and externally.

Provide Vision and Leadership for the University

The President will be the chief spokesperson for the strategic vision of the institution and the leader in rallying key constituencies in support of the University.  Important to this process will be capturing the imagination of and spurring to action the people and institutions whose personal, spiritual, and financial support will be critical to the realization of the University’s shared vision.  The President will empower leadership in all academic and administrative areas and model collaborative behavior.  By consulting broadly and listening intently, and by identifying solutions that involve a wide range of academic and administrative expertise, it is anticipated that the new President will foster an environment of inclusion, collective action, and shared sense of mission among all University constituencies.

An early opportunity to exhibit these leadership characteristics will be in the updating of the strategic plan.  Under the leadership of President Harre, strategic planning is an ongoing process at the University.  The strategic plan is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect environmental changes.  The current strategic plan for 2004-2009 builds on the strengths of the University today and provides the vision and strategies to build an even stronger and more vital Valparaiso University for tomorrow.  A general framework of planning for 2010 and beyond is in progress.

The strategic planning process will provide the new President with an opportunity to identify high-priority areas critical to the University’s future success and their relationship to financial resources and other strategies.  The new President will provide vision, guidance, and leadership in the determination of priorities and the direction for Valpo’s future.  The entire University community and all of its constituencies are eager to move forward on such an effort and to participate in defining the objectives of that process.

Provide Leadership for Valpo’s Future Fund-Raising Campaigns

It is expected that the new President will devote considerable time and effort to fund-raising activities.  The new President will play the leading and most visible role with the University’s constituents – including alumni, corporations and foundations, government, the local community, and other groups – leading the formation of strategic partnerships with potential donors to maximize fund-raising success.

The University’s current $200 million campaign, “Our Valpo, Our Time, 150th Anniversary Initiative,” will serve as both the capstone of the 20-year leadership of President Harre and as a successful launch pad for the new President.

Plans for the current campaign, the largest in University history, were announced in the same news conference on June 26, 2007, at which President Harre announced he will retire on June 30, 2008.  This 150th Anniversary Initiative is focused on building the University’s endowment to support faculty and to provide scholarships for students, as well as on three capital projects, including completion of a 202,000-square-foot University Union now under construction.  The 150th Anniversary Initiative also will raise funds for improvements to recreation and athletic facilities and improvements to instructional space for the College of Engineering.  The current campaign follows an effort, publicly launched in 2000 and concluded in 2002, that raised more than $121 million in gifts.  With more than 70% of the goal raised as of June 30, 2007, the current campaign is primed to conclude successfully in 2009 during the University’s sesquicentennial celebration.

Maintain the University’s Unique Niche

The University is an independent Lutheran university.  It is not owned, operated, nor controlled by any Lutheran Church body.  While the University embraces its historical relationship with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), relationships also have been developed with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA).  The Board of Directors desires to maintain these relationships.  Representatives of the executive officer of both the LCMS and the ELCA attend Board meetings.

Build Community

The City of Valparaiso, Porter County, and the entire region value the University as a vital contributor to its community.  The University is one of the largest employers in the city, and economic studies show that the University contributes more than $100 million annually to the local economy.  Many faculty and staff of the University are active participants in government and other activities of the local community.  It is expected that the new President will continue to develop strong partnerships and relationships with local leaders, government bodies, and non-profit and for-profit organizations in Northwest Indiana.

The University will welcome a new President who shares its values and has a passion for its mission.  The students, faculty, staff, Board, and alumni will support a President who honors and respects the University’s mission and works to increase the University’s reputation both nationally and throughout the Midwest.

Enrollment Management

Like many institutions, Valpo must balance its vision and its financial resources.  In addition, like most private institutions, the University is tuition-dependent, so attracting, enrolling, and meeting the financial needs of students who desire to share in the University’s educational community is critical.