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Rev. Brian Konkol, Ph.D., VU's Next President

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(@valpo95)
Posts: 149
Freshman
 

@rezynezy, by your logic, if TP-USA has 800+ chapters and a few college students part of a a local chapter do something wrong, that means that Valparaiso University should prohibit VU students from having their own chapter? 

How exactly has that worked for national fraternities? Should VU shut down Phi Kappa Psi (or all national fraternities on campus) because chapters elsewhere have gotten in trouble for behavior prohibited in their bylaws? 

If the risk from TP USA is so great, why would they be allowed at Indiana, Purdue and Baylor?

 

 


 
Posted : 03/25/2026 3:13 PM
(@vu84v2)
Posts: 351
Junior Varsity
 

As I have said in prior posts, groups of any political persuasion who act in a professional manner should have an equal right to form an organization.

However, with regards to TP USA, they need answer to what has very recently happened at FIU (see link). Is this behavior systemic in TP USA or is this a one off? What controls do they have to prevent this type of abhorrent behavior? Such questions should be asked of any applying organization who has had cases of this type of behavior.

Most importantly (and back to the topic) - Pres. Konkol needs to stay out of issues like this.

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article314988093.html


This post was modified 2 months ago 4 times by vu84v2
 
Posted : 03/25/2026 3:16 PM
 Rez
(@rezynezy)
Posts: 1806
Varsity
 

Posted by: @valpo95

@rezynezy, by your logic, if TP-USA has 800+ chapters and a few college students part of a a local chapter do something wrong, that means that Valparaiso University should prohibit VU students from having their own chapter? 

How exactly has that worked for national fraternities? Should VU shut down Phi Kappa Psi (or all national fraternities on campus) because chapters elsewhere have gotten in trouble for behavior prohibited in their bylaws? 

If the risk from TP USA is so great, why would they be allowed at Indiana, Purdue and Baylor?

 

 

 

TPUSA and other organizations are not without their controversies. And we can go back and forth in circles debating as such and ultimately get nowhere. (My main reservation lies in the limited government aspect and yet states is so adamant on pushing institutions both public and private to have chapters or risk loss of funding and other punishments. Something that braun has chosen not to do and I will applaud him for it.) In my eyes these partnerships go against that limited government pledge and the promise of punishments made by other states is very harsh and irksome 

 

However, I think these arguments are ultimately pointless when you look at the fact that the student Senate was the group that declined the club. Why should we argue against what the students actively voted on and chose to not take part in. 

 


This post was modified 2 months ago by Rez
 
Posted : 03/25/2026 3:28 PM
(@valpopal)
Posts: 532
Junior Varsity
 

Posted by: @rezynezy

Why should we argue against what the students actively voted on and chose to not take part in. 

Student senators had a right to vote as they did, and we certainly have a right to argue against the result if we think that decision was a mistake on principle or one that might negatively impact the university, especially in view of enrollment. After all, as others at the university have suggested, the Student Senate has hardly ever been perceived as infallible. Here, the administration said the Student Senate was mistaken in the original rationale, so requested a reconsideration, and the second vote was vetoed by the Student Body President, who felt it was an ill-advised ruling; therefore, his rejection also had to be overridden.

 


 
Posted : 03/25/2026 7:33 PM
(@realist77)
Posts: 172
Freshman
 

Good for the new President. It sounds like he tried to be diplomatic and deferential by giving them a do-over chance. But, when ignored, he wisely vetoed it.

 

I am not a big fan of TPSA. But that is irrelevant. What troubles me is that our students' generation appears to think they can be selectively intolerant. Our K-12 and its teachers' union have taught students to be intolerant advocates for "tolerance." The word has become a mockery of itself. And one group has no right to be more "sensitive" to opposing views than others. 

Alumni will applaud this, and the inmates will no longer guard the assylum. If those student leaders go elsewhere and take some with them, that is a small price to pay for becoming a genuine forum for ideas.   

 


 
Posted : 03/26/2026 9:25 AM
 vu72
(@vu72)
Posts: 762
Junior Varsity
 

So tonight’s your chance to hear from President Konkol directly. Zoom 7-8pm central. Should be an interesting conversation!


 
Posted : 04/01/2026 6:50 AM
(@burnee77)
Posts: 257
Junior Varsity
 

Their a link to this zoom, place to find it?


 
Posted : 04/01/2026 1:04 PM
 Rez
(@rezynezy)
Posts: 1806
Varsity
 

@burnee77 it was a sign up. Should still be on the social media pages

 

EDIT. found the original post

https://twitter.com/i/status/2038715663435362679


This post was modified 2 months ago by Rez
 
Posted : 04/01/2026 2:47 PM
 vu72
(@vu72)
Posts: 762
Junior Varsity
 

Posted by: @burnee77

Their a link to this zoom, place to find it?

I don’t know how to copy the link. I’d call alumni affairs for access. 219 464 5005

 


 
Posted : 04/01/2026 2:48 PM
(@valpo95)
Posts: 149
Freshman
 

You had to register at the link below, then they send you a Zoom link via email.

 

https://giveto.valpo.edu/register/Konkol26


 
Posted : 04/01/2026 3:54 PM
 vu72
(@vu72)
Posts: 762
Junior Varsity
 

A very interesting presentation and one showing not only he’s intellect but also his commitment and belief in Valpo. Padilla was a mistake because he not only didn’t understand the Lutheran heritage but also didn’t understand the alumni. Brian embraces both.


 
Posted : 04/01/2026 8:45 PM
(@david81)
Posts: 353
Junior Varsity
Topic starter
 

I thought it was an excellent presentation that showed a lot of thought and heart quality. This is not your typical new university prez, taking time to get to know the basics of their new school. He's had a sharp eye on Valpo for years and forged an affection for it long ago. It's also obvious that he took the job knowing the challenge facing a new president. 

Video of the webinar will be posted soon, probably before the Valpo Day fundraising event next week. I highly recommend that people watch it.

 


This post was modified 2 months ago by David81
 
Posted : 04/01/2026 11:29 PM
(@regionrat03)
Posts: 135
Freshman
 

This reminded me of the presentation AD Laurel Hosmer gave after the house settlement decision. I am pleased to see that Valpo is becoming much more transparent from the top down. Not to mention, this was a great time to build some cautious optimism before Valpo Day. 


 
Posted : 04/02/2026 12:12 AM
(@vu84v2)
Posts: 351
Junior Varsity
 

I have heard that Pres. Konkol has regularly been making the statement, "the world needs more Valpo grads". I do not claim any marketing expertise, but I like this statement. It can be interpreted in a variety of positive ways.


 
Posted : 04/11/2026 2:48 PM
(@usc4valpo)
Posts: 610
Junior Varsity
 

I watched the video and I am very impressed with Rev. Konkol’s passion, strategy and direction. We need more Valpo graduates for sure. I have been very critical of Valpo in the past few years, some of it I believe is valid, some of it is just plain bitching. I want to help as an alum where I can use my mentoring and advising skills. What is great about Konkol is he is engaged and acting like a human being instead of acting like a Jamie Dimon or a Joel Osteen.


 
Posted : 04/12/2026 8:04 AM
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