VINCENNES, IN (WFIE) -
The Vincennes University Board of Trustees extended the contract of VU President Dick Helton on Wednesday. Board Chair J.R. Gaylor said the Board extended the contract through July 31, 2015, because members were pleased with the leadership provided by Helton, the longest-serving president among the state's public universities.
"The President has met or exceeded our criteria that we evaluated. We feel the University is headed in the right direction and that he will continue to take us where we need to go. We are proud of the service of the President all the way through staff and faculty. We sense that even in trying times the University is flourishing, so we want to see that continue going in the right direction," Gaylor said.
In his response, Helton said he that "VU is a passion of mine and a labor of love."
"I am starting my 45th year today as a public educator and I still enjoy working with students, faculty, staff, and administration. I have tons of energy, I enjoy coming to work each day, and so I am very pleased that the Board has extended my contract," Helton said. "It has been a wonderful experience for me at Vincennes University. While people remind me that I am the longest tenured public university president in our state, I honestly do not know where the time has gone. I am pleased to be part of this institution, I think we have a wonderful mission, and I am just hopeful that we can continue to move forward," Helton said.
A native of Otwell, a small town in southwestern Indiana, Helton was sworn-in as VU's 21st president on August 18, 2004. Helton's educational career included 19 years as a superintendent of schools in Indiana, with the last 14 years at the Avon Community School Corp.
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VU President Dick Helton
