Past Presidents
Since Valparaiso University was established in 1859 as a pioneer of coeducation, its presidents have led it through rapidly, sometimes dramatically changing times. Their stories offer a brief glimpse of Valpo’s challenges and triumphs as it developed into a premier Lutheran university focused on the lifelong pursuit of truth and the development of the skills necessary to lead and serve communities.
The group of Methodist regional leaders who formed Valpo’s first board of trustees elected the Rev. Charles N. Sims as its first president, but when Sims had to defer his arrival for a term, Francis D. Carley was named acting president. Carley, one of the five original faculty members (and the only male), was a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy. In 1859, 75 students attended classes, and by the end of the first term, enrollment grew to 175. Learn more about Valpo’s past presidents below.

Colette Irwin-Knott
Interim President
2020 – 2021

Mark A. Heckler
2008 – 2020

Alan F. Harre
1988 – 2008

Robert V. Schnabel
1978 – 1988

Albert G. Huegli
1968-1978

Otto Paul Kretzmann
1940-1968

Oscar C. Kreinheder
1930-1939

William H.T. Dau
1926-1929

Horace M. Evans
1923-1926

John E. Roessler
1921-1922

Milo J. Bowman
1922

Daniel Russel Hodgdon
1920-1921

Henry Kinsey Brown
1919-1920

Oliver Perry Kinsey
1912-1919

Henry Baker Brown
1873-1917

Aaron Gurney
1869-1871

Thomas Bond Wood
1867-1869

B. Wilson Smith
1864-1867

Erastus H. Staley
1862-1864

Charles N Sims
1860-1862
- About the President
- President José D. Padilla, J.D.
- Past Presidents
- Interim President Colette Irwin-Knott
- Mark A. Heckler
- Alan F. Harre
- Robert V. Schnabel
- Albert G. Huegli
- Otto Paul Kretzmann
- Oscar C. Kreinheder
- John C. Baur
- William H.T. Dau
- Horace Evans
- John E. Roessler and Milo J. Bowman
- Daniel Russel Hodgdon
- Henry Kinsey Brown
- Oliver Perry Kinsey
- Aaron Gurney
- Henry Baker Brown
- Thomas Bond Wood
- B. Wilson Smith
- Erastus H. Staley
- Charles N Sims