Valparaiso University Names Mark Heckler, ELCA Member, Its Next President

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Mark A. Heckler will become the 18th
president of Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., on July 1.
He will succeed Alan F. Harre, who will retire June 30 after 20
years as Valparaiso's president.
     Heckler, 52, is provost and vice chancellor for academic and
student affairs at University of Colorado (UC) Denver.  He is a
member of St. Philip Lutheran Church, a congregation of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in Littleton, Colo.
Valparaiso is an independent Lutheran university.
     "Valparaiso University has made a wonderful choice.  Mark is
a creative, hard-working, dedicated person of faith," said the
Rev. Nathan P. Doerr, St. Philip Lutheran Church.
     "In the church, Mark's main involvement has been in the area
of worship," Doerr said.  "Mark has for many years helped in the
planning of midweek Advent and Lenten services.  He has brought
fresh ideas, yet a deep love and respect for the traditions of
the church to this process.  He is a great team player.  He
listens well to the ideas of others.  He is respectful of others,
while bringing his own gifts to the table," he said.
     Mark and Veronica Heckler have been married for almost 30
years.  "The Hecklers are very family oriented.  They have raised
four wonderful children.  Mark and Veronica's love of learning is
clearly reflected in their children," Doerr said.
     "Mark and Veronica will be deeply missed by our community of
faith, yet we realize that we are sending them out to use their
gifts in service through the wider church," Doerr said.  "Mark
and Veronica will make Christ known in powerful ways as they
share their faith, their love of people and their love of
learning with the Valparaiso community."
     "I can now see that my whole life -- personally,
educationally and professionally -- has led me toward this
opportunity with Valparaiso," Heckler said in a Valparaiso news
release.  "It is vitally important that future generations
continue to have the opportunity for an outstanding education in
a faith-based environment that fosters discovery and creativity,"
he said.
     "I believe Valparaiso University has a greater leadership
role to play, nationally and internationally, in ensuring access
to excellent, faith-based undergraduate, graduate and
professional education," Heckler said.
     Heckler earned a bachelor's degree in communication arts,
Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa., and a master of fine
arts degree in drama with an emphasis on directing, Catholic
University of America, Washington, D.C.  He is completing work to
receive a doctorate in educational leadership and innovation from
UC Denver.
     From 1979 to 1995 Heckler served as professor of theater,
director of theater and chair of the Department of Fine Arts,
Siena College, Albany, N.Y.
     Heckler joined the faculty at UC Denver in 1995 as professor
of theater, film and television and as director of the School of
the Arts.  In 1998 he was appointed founding dean of the
university's College of Arts and Media.  After serving as acting
chancellor of UC Denver, he became provost and vice chancellor
for academic and student affairs in 2003.
     Heckler served two years as the U.S. administrator of an
undergraduate liberal arts degree-granting program in Beijing
operated jointly by China Agricultural University and UC Denver.
His other initiatives in international education have included
programs in Germany, Italy, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Scotland and
Taiwan.
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     The home page of Valparaiso University is at
http://www.valpo.edu/ on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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