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THURSDAY, Feb. 25, 2016
Elmhurst College names its 14th president Dr. Troy VanAken introduced to the College community last Thursday By Dee Longfellow For The Elmhurst Independent
ELMHURST — On Wednesday, Feb. 17, the Independent learned that the Elmhurst College Board of Trustees had unanimously elected Dr. Troy VanAken to serve as its 14th president. At a special reception in their honor held on Feb. 18 in the Founder’s Lounge of the Frick Center, Dr. VanAken and his wife Annette were introduced to the College community where he talked about the school’s future and their role in it. “When considering this position, I looked at a search profile, which said the campus was ‘intensely student-centered,’” Dr. VanAken said in his remarks. “That’s what we were really looking for, a college centered around and focused on its students.” VanAken is currently president of Thiel College in Greenville, Pa., an independent Lutheran liberal arts institution with approximately 1,000 students enrolled. Earlier this month, he was able to announce that Thiel had surpassed the largest fundraising goal in its 150-year history. In fact, Thiel’s 2016 Campaign had exceeded
its $60 million goal 10 months early, due to the efforts and gifts of more than 8,500 donors. His career in higher education includes years as a senior administrator, a mathematics professor, a business entrepreneur and an athletic director. VanAken will officially beginning his presidency this sum-
mer, succeeding Interim President Larry A. Braskamp. “I felt a calling when I was younger,” VanAken said. “My mother said maybe it was a calling to the ministry but I assured her, ‘no, no, it’s not that.’ But I have always been called to this kind of work, to help young people get a good
start in life.” VanAken said he had already met with about 20 staff people at the college and got a good feeling from them. “I had a sense that they wanted to innovate and move forward,” he said. “The demographics may change but the spirit and passion is evident
– not just to survive but to thrive.” He further noted that this was Elmhurst College’s 145th year and that there would obviously be a big celebration in another five years. “The year 2021 will be a
See PRESIDENT, Page 3
High-five! On Friday morning, Feb. 19, students of Indian Trail Junior High School got a big surprise as they entered the building where they found a “Tunnel of Happiness” lined with high-fiving volunteers and sponsors of Project POP or People Offering Positivity. It was the culmination of the club’s participation in International Random Acts of Kindness Week from Feb. 16-19. Full story and more photos inside this issue.
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Police Reports...........6 Sports �������������������� 17 Weekly Deals.......... 19 Classifieds..........21-22
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