President signs contract extension

The Valparaiso University Board of Directors announced today the signing of a new six-year contract with President Mark A. Heckler. Under the new contract Heckler will continue at the University through at least June 30, 2017.

“As a board, we feel very fortunate to have a strong leader in Mark, who will continue to guide the implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan,” said Frederick G. Kraegel, Chairman of the Valparaiso University Board of Directors. “The Board fully supports the Strategic Plan and we believe that Mark provides the vision and discipline to move the University forward.”

Heckler joined Valparaiso University in 2008 as the 18th president of Valpo. During his time with the University he has led the most comprehensive visioning and strategic planning process in the University’s history, involving faculty, alumni, students, staff, and community leaders. The Plan provides the strategic blueprint that charts the course for the University to achieve new levels of excellence over the next two decades and highlights Valpo’s vision to be “a distinguished Lutheran community of learning, constituted by people of many beliefs and backgrounds, in dialogue with one another, in common pursuit of truth.”

“Valparaiso University is home to many wonderful people and I am humbled and blessed to have the honor of serving this great institution as we work to achieve our common vision of the University’s future,” said Heckler. “Through the concerted efforts of the many diverse members of our university community we are already moving forward on this journey. It’s an exciting time for us at Valpo.”

Valparaiso University is an independent Lutheran institution located in Valparaiso, Indiana, that provides an encouraging environment for spiritual exploration by all. There are over 4000 students at Valpo, from across the United States and from over 50 countries, constituting a vibrant international, interconnected community. The University offers five colleges for undergraduates as well as a law school and several graduate study programs. The University provides a unique focus on learning through service that helps students develop into thoughtful leaders who work to make the world a better place.

For more information about Valparaiso University, please visit our valpo.edu. For additional details on Valparaiso’s new Strategic Plan, please visit valpo.edu/strategicplan.