Board of Trustees consults with President Troy VanAken after Valparaiso interview

The Elmhurst College Board of Trustees know President Troy VanAken has interviewed for the president’s position at Valparaiso University and are talking with him about his potential departure, according to Edward Momkus, Board of Trustees Chair. 

“This is a personnel matter, and personnel matters are treated as confidential until a final resolution is reached,” Momkus said in an email. 

The BOT will meet on March 12 and 13 and will hold their executive session on the 13, which is closed off exclusively to trustees.

VanAken interviewed at VU on Feb. 25 as the university’s final candidate in their search for a new president. 

“I was recruited into the Valparaiso University presidential search, probably because of the successes we have seen at Elmhurst College,” said VanAken in a prepared statement.

Word got out about VanAken interviewing with VU after his name appeared on a survey posted to the Valparaiso Presidential search committee webpage where members of the VU campus community could provide their feedback on the candidates interviewed. 

VanAken was involved in VU’s presidential search 12 years ago. VanAken is currently up against Kirk Farney and Andrew Finstuen for the position. 

VanAken began his term as EC president in July 2016, previously serving at Thiel College in Greenville, Pa. from 2009 to 2016. In August 2019, VanAken renewed his contract for an additional six years to stay at EC. 

VanAken is proud of the strides he has created during his time at EC. 

“Annette and I are very happy at Elmhurst and very proud of the success we’ve all created together as a community,” stated VanAken in a statement. “We’re also excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for Elmhurst regarding the name change and the sesquicentennial.”

VanAken is scheduled to speak to faculty on March 6 at the monthly faculty meeting for the first time since interviewing at VU. 

VU started their search for a new president in order to replace the current standing President Mark A. Heckler after he announced on August 8 that he would be stepping down from the position. 

Nicole Niemi, VU Chief Communications Officer, had no comment on VanAken’s candidacy. 

The Torch, VU’s student publication, released articles on each candidate tracking their on-campus interviews and their visit to VU.

The Torch reported VanAken has been watching VU since originally being a part of their presidential search 12 years ago. 

“But since that time, I’ve paid a little extra attention to Valparaiso and saw all the great things that had been going on,” VanAken said in The Torch’s article. 

According to a Chicago Tribune article posted from August 9, 2019, Heckler advised the Board of Trustees to start their interview search, noting it could take upwards of up to two years and his interest in wanting to be present to help the new president transition into the position.