@vulb62 Although I was not privy to any inside info about the campus atmosphere and culture during the previous presidency, it did seem from my distant perch that morale was flagging badly. I'm sure you're right that it had an across-the-board negative impact.
By contrast, I am very optimistic about the new president. I believe that Rev. Konkol is channeling the energies of O.P., Kinsey, and Brown and bringing with him a deeper sophistication about leading a university, drawing on his experience in higher ed. Moreover, from accounts and photos posted by the University about his considerable presence on campus already, it appears that he's having a blast getting to know members of the VU community.
A leader with these qualities could not have arrived too quickly, because this VU presidency is the most important one since O.P.'s arrival in 1940. These next five years, I believe, will capture the difference between thriving during this challenging period for higher ed, versus barely hanging on or even slipping away.
Dynamic and genuinely nice guy. He has viewed it as a personal destination job. We are deep, deep in the red, and higher education is a battleship that takes four years to turn because of enrollment.
But he is the best leader I could have envisioned for such a time.
Dynamic and genuinely nice guy. He has viewed it as a personal destination job. We are deep, deep in the red, and higher education is a battleship that takes four years to turn because of enrollment.
But he is the best leader I could have envisioned for such a time.
Agree on all points, though I think we may see a positive momentum that helps the battleship turn around a bit quicker. The VU community has been thirsting for this kind of leadership, and I think it will start to manifest in both fundraising and first-year enrollment.
We may see signs of whether this is occurring very quickly, such as the spring VU giving day.
Whomever made the decision over the last few years to centralize geographic alumni groups and take away alumni reps, was a moron. We had a robust DFW Club at one point, and that decision killed so many ties to the university. I know that I've mentioned it a few times, but when Padilla came to DFW most recently, I volunteered the assistance of our prior club resources, and it was crickets from the individual that told me they would set up a time to speak. The event was naturally a total failure with very minimal attendees. I refused to attend, due to the indifference displayed by the university rep. Just such a dumb decision to alienate a passionate alumni group...
Konkol inherited a mess and is doing very well engaging with the stakeholders and the community. He is currently understanding the overall problem to be solved before taking action.
Konkol inherited a mess and is doing very well engaging with the stakeholders and the community. He is currently understanding the overall problem to be solved before taking action.
@usc4valpo, I know what you're saying, though I'd respond that being an energetic, ubiquitous presence within the VU community is a badly needed form of action. Valpo hasn't had this kind of leader since O.P. It's less about xs and os and more about restoring hope and optimism, two preconditions for VU's revival.
May 1st is National College Decision Day. Has anyone heard how enrollment is shaping up for the upcoming school year?
I think we can all agree that the conversation surrounding the university has been much more positive since President Konkol arrived on campus. That said, it will take more than a few months to turn things around. We need to offer President Konkol grace and continued support beyond this first incoming class.
Because Valpo uses rolling admissions, we likely won’t have a final enrollment number until the school year begins.
The vast majority of prospective students and their families make their decisions (with deposits) by May 1st. Things shift a little after that, but can shift up or down. Valpo should have a good view of where they stand on May 1st and even better on June 1st.
Agreed with David81 that the fall 2026 will bear no reflection on new Pres. Konkol. However, he is very bullish on his current VP of Enrollment and her resume on entering the job was stellar. In his words, she has ensured that basic execution is much stronger. He and she are very frustrated by all the "unforced errors" in the past VU processes they have been discovered. He also said to some alumni that her key early markers already exceed fall 2025 in year over year markers.
Basic execution alone has a bigger impact on results than all of the more abstract less measurable PR, "missional," and "strategic plan" issues. But of course those matter, especially to key donors. Konkol's impact will be felt widely across all of VU in affect fall 2027 and fall 2028 enrollment. Pray for the guy and hold out hope for a start upward. The no-brainer reset of a strong focus on the Lutheran high schools after Heckler's demolition is the most ripe way to pick up kids quickly for fall 2027.
Agreed with David81 that the fall 2026 will bear no reflection on new Pres. Konkol. However, he is very bullish on his current VP of Enrollment and her resume on entering the job was stellar. In his words, she has ensured that basic execution is much stronger. He and she are very frustrated by all the "unforced errors" in the past VU processes they have been discovered. He also said to some alumni that her key early markers already exceed fall 2025 in year over year markers.
Basic execution alone has a bigger impact on results than all of the more abstract less measurable PR, "missional," and "strategic plan" issues. But of course those matter, especially to key donors. Konkol's impact will be felt widely across all of VU in affect fall 2027 and fall 2028 enrollment. Pray for the guy and hold out hope for a start upward. The no-brainer reset of a strong focus on the Lutheran high schools after Heckler's demolition is the most ripe way to pick up kids quickly for fall 2027.
I think we may see a positive "Konkol effect" on enrollment earlier than I anticipated. Maybe not a huge one this time around, but I sense that Rev. Konkol's spring semester presence on campus has been an energizing one that has included those admitted to the Fall 2026 entering class.
President Konkol has talked about VU's "roots and reach," and both factors must be in play to rebuild VU's enrollment. Roots in terms of reconnecting with traditional constituencies that may have felt sidelined during recent years. Reach in terms of appealing to those outside of those constituencies who would gain much from a VU education and contribute to the richness of the student body.
The result can be a growing, dynamic, engaged group of students that both honors VU's traditional bases and welcomes newcomers into the community.
Agreed with David81 that the fall 2026 will bear no reflection on new Pres. Konkol. However, he is very bullish on his current VP of Enrollment and her resume on entering the job was stellar. In his words, she has ensured that basic execution is much stronger. He and she are very frustrated by all the "unforced errors" in the past VU processes they have been discovered. He also said to some alumni that her key early markers already exceed fall 2025 in year over year markers.
Basic execution alone has a bigger impact on results than all of the more abstract less measurable PR, "missional," and "strategic plan" issues. But of course those matter, especially to key donors. Konkol's impact will be felt widely across all of VU in affect fall 2027 and fall 2028 enrollment. Pray for the guy and hold out hope for a start upward. The no-brainer reset of a strong focus on the Lutheran high schools after Heckler's demolition is the most ripe way to pick up kids quickly for fall 2027.
I think we may see a positive "Konkol effect" on enrollment earlier than I anticipated. Maybe not a huge one this time around, but I sense that Rev. Konkol's spring semester presence on campus has been an energizing one that has included those admitted to the Fall 2026 entering class.
President Konkol has talked about VU's "roots and reach," and both factors must be in play to rebuild VU's enrollment. Roots in terms of reconnecting with traditional constituencies that may have felt sidelined during recent years. Reach in terms of appealing to those outside of those constituencies who would gain much from a VU education and contribute to the richness of the student body.
The result can be a growing, dynamic, engaged group of students that both honors VU's traditional bases and welcomes newcomers into the community.
We probably all agree that compared to the morale under the prior president or (at minimum) the uncertainty of not knowing who the new president will be, President Konkol will have a net positive effect on enrollment for the Fall of 2026 even if it is small. Most of those who already applied to and were considering VU will see it as a positive. Hopefully, with more stability in the enrollment office and better plans for the future, the entering classes in 2027 and beyond could improve.
Two things: First, there are the demographic headwinds facing VU, regardless of who is president. This is hitting many tuition-driven private universities. Many private and public universities are cutting and combining programs as well, so hopefully VU got ahead of the curve on that front even though it is painful. Second, although it is probably better to have a Lutheran at the helm of a premier Lutheran university, the conservative wing of American Lutheranism will probably be unimpressed. This is important because the vast majority of Lutheran high schools are from that wing (the ELCA and its predecessor bodies never have had a strong parochial school system).
Two things: First, there are the demographic headwinds facing VU, regardless of who is president. This is hitting many tuition-driven private universities. Many private and public universities are cutting and combining programs as well, so hopefully VU got ahead of the curve on that front even though it is painful. Second, although it is probably better to have a Lutheran at the helm of a premier Lutheran university, the conservative wing of American Lutheranism will probably be unimpressed. This is important because the vast majority of Lutheran high schools are from that wing (the ELCA and its predecessor bodies never have had a strong parochial school system).
Although the headwinds are real, some universities in VU's general category will find a way to thrive, by offering something unique and useful to their students that transcends the current liberal arts vs. professional training dichotomy and the left vs. right political frame. I believe that we (not sure how I define "we," concededly) may be eager for a type of college experience that gets the right blend and doesn't try to appeal to the extremes.
It will not be easy. Yet I believe it can be done.
Any word on it deposits are up? Launched my "NICHE" app for the first time in a while, saw Valpo has direct application now. Making it easy always help.
Anyone.....anyone? Buehler? Anyone?......
Not a peep. I know May 1 is supposed to be National Decision Day, but from what I hear, campus takes the approach of “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
So I guess we’ll see.