Given the special occasion, I hope that our moderators are OK with me reposting this on the basketball page, because many Forum members may not make it to the General University Discussion page where it was originally posted:
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For members of the Valpo Fan Zone Forum, Valparaiso University invites you to a special conversation with Reverend Brian Konkol, the 20th President of Valparaiso University. This is an opportunity to hear directly from Rev. Konkol about his vision for Valpo and to share your questions!
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CT
Event location: Zoom
RSVP is required by July 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. CT
Please use the following link for registration: https://giveto.valpo.edu/register/FanZoneWebinar26
Once registered, you will receive instructions on how to access the event.
If you have any questions or feedback, please contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@valpo.edu or 219.464.5142.
Hey everyone, it's not too late to sign up for Tuesday's Zoom program with Reverend Konkol, info above!
VU's new President will be sharing his initial observations of intercollegiate sports at Valpo, as well as the state of the University in general! I hope you'll sign up for conversation organized specially for Valpo Fan Zone Forum members!
Do we know who all has signed up for the program tonight?
I did!
For some reason I got confirmation but I cannot get in
Wow! Just wow! I'm looking for a wall to run through! What an amazing man and such a blessing to Valpo. Can anyone here imagine Padilla taking the time or effort to respond to a few athletic followers? Amazing.
Wow! Just wow! I'm looking for a wall to run through! What an amazing man and such a blessing to Valpo. Can anyone here imagine Padilla taking the time or effort to respond to a few athletic followers? Amazing.
@vu72 I’m so glad that you enjoyed this program with Rev. Konkol!
This is why I believe that Valpo has a genuine chance not only to revive, but also to downright thrive, in this very challenging environment for higher education.
His presence is already making a measurable difference in two critical ways: Entering student enrollments and fundraising.
And note how during his talk, he shared and prioritized a list of thoughtful, mission-driven, action-oriented goals and objectives. In his first six months, he’s already prompting a major momentum shift.
Hi Everyone,
In case you missed it, click here for the recording of the webinar that Rev. Konkol gave for members of the Valpo Fan Zone Forum. It includes:
- An overall progress report about the University, including slides;
- Rev. Konkol’s philosophy about the valuable role of college athletics generally and at Valpo specifically; and,
- Responses to questions sent in and posted.
It runs about an hour, and includes contact info for anyone who would like to send feedback and suggestions.
Best,
David
The lack of any reaction from President Konkol’s meeting with us is really a little shocking. Either no one attended or you are really at a point where you are numb to all things Valpo.
@vu72 Being complexly honest. If you were a sports fan it was a little underwhelming. Kohnkol's beliefs about college athletics is a welcome sign of the times ahead, but a lot of the Q/A section seemed to be unrelated to sports.
Rez, I think the questions reflected how even folks on this board are paying close attention to the well-being of the university overall.
Agreed with David. The success of enrollment and fund raising directly apply to athletics.
On a side note, another member of administration told me the air-conditioning/ new lighting work at the ARC is done. At least that is what he thought!
Agreed with David. The success of enrollment and fund raising directly apply to athletics.
On a side note, another member of administration told me the air-conditioning/ new lighting work at the ARC is done. At least that is what he thought!
Yup, any positive movement on the metrics creates benefits across the board. It also lifts morale, which is a central element toward VU's revival. Things had been down in the dumps for way too long.
My thoughts on the recent zoom call -
President Konkol is the right person at the right time. He has shown the potential to have everything you would want in a VU president. He is an excellent communicator; he has a vision and a plan that is right for this university; he appears so far to be able to attract excellent members to his team; he is relentlessly optimistic; he is a motivator and, I think, a force multiplier; he is a realist but also a visionary; he obviously loves VU; and he is simply a likable and genuine person. All of these attributes translate into someone who could be a terrific fundraiser, leader, and face of the university. I am pumped!
Better days are ahead.
The only downside is it does not appear - at this point in time, anyway - that the long-awaited new Nursing Building will break ground in 2027. Perhaps I'm wrong and there will be a surprising announcement in the coming months. VU needs a win and nothing would say VU is back than a beautiful new addition to campus.
Paul
it does not appear - at this point in time, anyway - that the long-awaited new Nursing Building will break ground in 2027.
Have they raised any money for it? You need about half the donations before the shovels go in. I remember Don Fites and his wife made a seven-figure pledge, but I actually can’t find anything on the university web page any longer. This link comes up in the search, but the link is dead: https://alumni.valpo.edu/conhp