Mark A. Heckler

Mark A. Heckler became the 19th president of Valparaiso University on July 1, 2008.[1][2][3] He succeeded Alan Harre.

Mark A. Heckler
Occupation	professor, university president
Title	19th President of Valparaiso University
Spouse(s)	Veronica
Children	4
Academic background
Education	Elizabethtown College, Catholic University
Alma mater	University of Colorado (PhD)
Thesis	Exploring a comprehensive model for leadership and adaptive organizational change: a case study of the Advisory Committee on Tenure-Related Processes at the University of Colorado (2011)
Academic work
Institutions	Siena College University of Colorado, Denver Valparaiso University

Professional associations include the Leadership Commission of the American Council on Education (previous chair), the New American Colleges and Universities (previous board chair), the Independent Colleges of Indiana, Indiana Campus Compact, the One Region initiative for Northwest Indiana, the Council of Independent Colleges (current board member), and the national Private College 529 Plan.[4]

During Heckler's tenure, Valparaiso University launched its Institute for Leadership and Service[5] and created the Presidential Commission for an Inclusive Valparaiso Community (CIVIC). The university also launched academic programs in physician assistant studies, bioengineering, cyber security, music therapy and occupational therapy and opened six new campus facilities.[6]

In September 2016, Valparaiso University publicly launched Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our future at a gala with more than 2,000 attendees. At the event, Heckler said the campaign had raised more than $135 million toward its $250 million goal and that priorities include support for unrestricted endowment funds, facilities, scholarships, faculty, and university programs.[7]

In October 2016, Valparaiso University extended Heckler’s contract. Board of Directors chair Frederick Kraegel cited Heckler’s leadership in recent “enrollment growth, new program development, campus expansion, and the implementation of the most comprehensive and ambitious strategic plan in Valpo’s history.”[8]

Heckler joined the presidents of more than 20 private colleges and universities in Indiana to call on legislators to create a law addressing hate crimes in 2018. At the time, Indiana was one of five states without such a law.[9]

In August 2019, Valparaiso University announced it would begin a search for the next president following Heckler's recommendation to the Board of Directors.[10][6] Heckler transitioned to President Emeritus, and Valparaiso University announced Colette Irwin-Knott is the Interim President-Elect as of Sept. 1, 2020.[11]

Heckler was previously chief academic officer for the University of Colorado, Denver. He first had been Director of the School of the Arts and a professor of theatre at that University, then founding dean of its College of Arts and Media and professor of theatre, film, and television, then acting chancellor, and finally, provost and vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, appointed to that role in 2003. He also was coordinator of their International College in Beijing, China from 1996 to 1998.

Prior to U.C. Denver, he had been at Siena College in Loudonville, New York as professor of fine arts and director of theatre. While at Siena, Heckler directed, acted in, designed, and/or produced more than 100 academic and professional productions in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.[4]

Heckler graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1977 and grew up in Windber, Pennsylvania. He and his wife have four children and nine grandchildren.[12][4]

He has been president of the major professional association in his field, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.[13][14]

References

1. Associated Press (December 18, 2007). "UCD provost chosen to lead Indiana school". Rocky Mountain News. Archived from the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
2. "Valpo picks Colorado man for prez". Indianapolis Star. December 18, 2007. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
3. "UC Denver provost off to Indiana". The Denver Post. December 19, 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
4. "About Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D. | Office of the President". www.valpo.edu. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
5. https://www.valpo.edu/institute-for-leadership-and-service/
6. [email protected], 219-548-4352, Emily Schnipke. "VU begins search for new president". nwitimes.com. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
7. Correspondent, Susan O’Leary Times. "Valparaiso University unveils $250M endowment campaign". nwitimes.com. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
8. Staff, Times. "Valparaiso University signs Heckler for 5 more years". nwitimes.com. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
9. "Private College Leaders Seek 'Strong' Hate Crime Law". www.insideindianabusiness.com. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
10. Jackson, Sharon. "Valparaiso University President Initiates Search For His Successor". www.lakeshorepublicradio.org. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
11. Mason, Anna. "VU announces Colette Irwin-Knott as Interim-President Elect". The Torch. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
12. "VU President Mark Heckler's biography". Northwest Indiana Times. October 18, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
13. Brizzell, Cindy (Spring 1998). "ARTNOW: A (Stumbling) Movement towards Arts Advocacy". TDR. 42 (1 [T157]): 122–158. doi:10.1162/105420498760308715. S2CID 57570065.
14. Dolan, Jill (Winter 1996). "Producing Knowledges That Matter: Practicing Performance Studies Through Theatre Studies". TDR. 40 (4): 9–19. doi:10.2307/1146587. JSTOR 1146587.

External links

• Media related to Mark A. Heckler at Wikimedia Commons
• Official page at Valparaiso