1988 to 2008: The Harre Era at Valpo

On July 1, 1988, Alan Frederick Harre became the 17th president of Valparaiso University, and sixth under Lutheran auspices. Following are highlights of events that occurred under his leadership.

1989-’90

Aug. 30: Master of Science in Nursing degree program introduced.
Sept. 21: International study program in China inaugurated in Taiwan.
Jan.15: Julian Bond, Father George Clement highlight first VU observance of Martin Luther King Day.

1990-’91

April 22: VU’s continued participation in NCAA Division I reaffirmed.

1991-’92

July 16: NASA selects VU as one of 15 universities in JOVE (JOint VEnture) pilot program.
Oct. 11-13: Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts inaugurated with conference on “Christianity and the Academic Vocation.”
Jan. 1-14: President Harre visits India to further internationalize VU.

1992-’93

April 21: College of Business Administration accredited by American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.
Oct. 8-11: Christ College honors program marks 25th anniversary.

1993-’94

July 24: Ground broken for the Center for the Arts; dedicated Sept. 16, 1995. The groundbreaking kicks off the “Lighting the Way” campaign.

1994-’95

July 30: Board approves $5 million renovation of Wehrenberg Hall.

1995-’96

Sept. 18: U.S. News & World Report names Valpo No. 1 university and best buy among Midwest region schools.

1996-’97

Sept. 11: Allen Pre-Ministerial Scholarship Fund established.
Sept. 15: Chapel’s Reddel Memorial organ rededicated following restoration and completion.

1997-’98

Oct. 26: “Old Masters” exhibit draws 21,000 visitors to Brauer Museum of Art.
March 20: Crusaders advance to NCAA Tournament’s “Sweet Sixteen” with victories over Mississippi and Florida State.

1998-’99

Aug. 25: Two-semester 10-credit Freshman Core Course initiated.
Oct. 15: Some 61 students study abroad at 10 centers in nine countries.
Dec. 10: North Central Association reaccredits VU for maximum 10 years.

1999-’00

Dec. 23-26: Lecture series celebrates 75 years as a Lutheran university.
April 30: Service kicks off the “Three Goals, One Promise” campaign.

2000-’01

Sept. 23: Kade-Duesenberg German House and Cultural Center dedicated.
Dec. 3: Christmas concert premieres in Chicago Symphony Center’s Orchestra Hall.
June 30: $24.6 million in contributions sets new record for one year.

2001-’02

Aug. 23: Dean Schroeder named director of new Master’s in Business Administration degree program.

2002-’03

Oct. 21: Lutheran Education Alliance with Parochial Schools (LEAPs) initiated.
June 30: Students provide 30,000 hours of service to local programs and organizations during academic year.

2003-’04

Jan. 10: Bach Institute launched by performance of Mass in B Minor, conducted by Helmuth Rilling.
April 1: Phi Beta Kappa chapter installed.
May 1: President George H.W. Bush keynote speaker for the School of Law’s 125th anniversary gala at Chicago’s Field Museum.

2004-’05

Sept. 18: Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources dedicated.
April 30: Kallay-Christopher Hall dedicated.

2005-’06

Oct. 8: Relocated Student Bridge dedicated.
Nov. 17: For the second consecutive year, Valpo is among the nation’s leaders in recipients of Fulbright awards for international study, research and teaching. (Valpo is now among the Fulbright leaders for the third consecutive year. See story on Page 6.)
May 5-7: VU Guild celebrates 75 years.

2006-’07

Aug. 21: Master of Science in Engineering Management program introduced in the College of Business Administration.
Nov. 3: Construction begins on new campus union.
April 23: Teleconference celebrates 40th, 25th anniversaries of study abroad programs.
May 11: Doppler weather radar system installed.
June 26: Harre announces the public phase of the “Our Valpo, Our Time, 150th Anniversary Initiative.” The $200 million campaign is the largest in university history and will serve as the capstone to his career at VU.