By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
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 summer, 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 special year for us. Let’s envision it now and make it the next chapter in Elmhurst College history.”
VanAken said he and Annette were first-generation college students, the first member of their families to attend an institution of higher learning.
“We know we could not do this without our own education.”
He noticed right away that Elmhurst was a fine community.
“This is a school with a strong reputation right in the center of a vibrant suburb, next to a great city.”
In the past, he has been active in economic and community development and has started three successful technology-related companies. Dr. and Mrs. VanAken have two children, Trey and Gabriella.
