President Alan F. Harre: Through the Eyes of Colleagues

By Susan Emery ’90

“I know I cannot be what each of you would like me to be. What I hope you will all be able to say as you get to know me better is that I am honest, direct, willing to listen, interested in people, committed to enhancing the image and reputation of this university, competent as as administrator, and an effective ambassador and spokesperson for the university.” — Valparaiso University President Alan F. Harre in his first address to the faculty, Aug. 30, 1988.

When President Alan F. Harre announced he will retire in June 2008, the Valparaiso University community united to celebrate the man whose exceptional leadership has guided Valpo for nearly two decades.

“With Alan Harre, what you see is what you get. He is a man who exudes his transparency,” says Roy Austensen, provost and vice president for academic affairs who has served with Harre for 15 years. “He also knows a lot about Valpo alumni and friends. Friendraising and fundraising is all about relationships, and he has invested an enormous amount of time in building these relationships.”

Bill Karpenko ’61, who recently retired as director of church relations at VU, served as assistant to Harre from 1990 to 1995.

“Dr. Harre always has been a delight to work with because he provided a framework, but then let you do your job,” Karpenko says. “He does not micro-manage, and he is very trusting. Part of what makes him valuable as a leader is his ability to be flexible. He is a pastor, a lawyer and a visionary.”

Al Trost ’62, former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has been on the faculty of Valpo since 1963, serving under all four of its post-World War II presidents.

“Though I knew and respected the leadership gifts of the other three presidents, Alan Harre has done the most to put the university on a firm financial foundation, to increase the quality of the faculty and the student body, and to install recognized ‘good practices’ in managing the institution,” Trost says.

One year after coming to Valpo in 1988, Harre implemented a strategic planning process. In addition, he set up a budget advisory committee and a space planning and allocation committee. He also spearheaded efforts to create a campus master plan that provides a framework for situating new facilities.

Three campaigns during his tenure have raised funds toward the construction of several of these facilities including the Center for the Arts, Kallay-Christopher Hall, the Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources, and currently a new campus union. And, with the creation of almost a dozen endowed chairs and professorships, Valpo has been able to recruit nationally and even internationally renowned teacher-scholars.

“Dr. Harre’s legacy to Valpo is the endowment, the new buildings and the master plan,” says Janet Brown, dean of the College of Nursing, who was a member of the search committee that hired him. “He has put a structure in place that really works.”

Barbara (Moss ’79) Lieske, director of the Valpo Admission Network and Admission Programs, recalls an incident that happened soon after Harre arrived on campus. “Some of the admission counselors were working into the evening on posters and signage for a visit program. We had glue, poster board and markers laying on the floor, with the staff spread out channeling their creative energies. In walks President Harre who immediately drops down onto the floor to help with our projects. What an impression that gave us.

“Alan Harre is a leader who helps young staffers make signs, a leader who easily slips into the role of compassionate pastor and counselor, and a leader who leads by example, whether by beautifying the campus or showing the staff that he knows and appreciates them.”

For David Hessler ’65, ’68 J.D., chair of the VU Board of Directors, Harre has always displayed “a sense of guardianship for the unique status of VU as the ‘University under the Cross.’

“He truly views his role as president as a calling,” Hessler says. “He is not in this role for himself—status, personal reputation, accolades, credit, and other such considerations are of no concern to him. His one and only concern is the advancement of the university.”