The Opportunity

Valparaiso University, a private, independent, faith-based institution of higher learning founded in 1859, seeks nominations for and expressions of interest in the position of President.  Located on 320 acres in Valparaiso, Indiana, one hour southeast of Chicago, the University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a community of learning dedicated to excellence and grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith, preparing students to lead and to serve in both church and society.

The University’s new President will be a leader of prodigious energy and expansive vision and will possess the determination necessary to expand on Valpo’s exceptional legacy.  The new President will be deeply dedicated to the institution’s Lutheran mission and ideals and will build upon these tenets in shaping the University’s future.  The new President will possess the many key attributes necessary to unite the University’s community in pursuit of excellence – commitment to the highest ideals of the academy, outstanding communications skills, unquestioned integrity, exquisite judgment, courage of convictions, dedication to the place of the liberal arts at the core of a university that includes professional programs, and a compelling personality that engages easily with internal and external audiences.  Critical to the new President’s success will be a track record of successful leadership of organizations that have a profound respect for teaching, learning, scholarship, and service.  Successful experience in strategic planning, fund raising, public relations, and resource allocation is desired.

The University’s current President, Dr. Alan F. Harre, is retiring June 30, 2008, after twenty years of service.  Under his leadership, Valparaiso University has developed a strong focus on supporting student success, a distinguished faculty, a talented senior administrative team, dedicated board leadership, a balanced budget, and a well-defined mission.  Its endowment, currently valued at more than $200 million, has more than quintupled in the past twenty years.  The operating budget has trebled in size to $90 million during this same time period.  Nearly 4,000 undergraduate, graduate, and law students are engaged by 350 full- and part-time faculty, resulting in an academic environment that is ranked one of the finest in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report and other publications.  Additional information may be found at the University’s website: www.valpo.edu.

Recruitment will continue until the position is filled.  Information about how to nominate a candidate or to apply for this opportunity may be found later in this document in the Section entitled “Procedure for Candidacy.”