Helm Named President of ELCA's Muhlenberg College

Chicago (ELCA)-FI — Dr. P. Randolph Helm will become the 11th president of Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., on July 1. Helm is currently a professor of classics and vice president for college relations at Colby College, Waterville, Maine. Muhlenberg is one of 28 colleges and universities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Helm, 54, will succeed Arthur R. Taylor, who was Muhlenberg's president from August 1992 to July 2002. James B. Steffy, a retired Muhlenberg College vice president, serves as interim president.

"We are extremely excited about the future of Muhlenberg College," said John M. Heffer, Chappaqua, N.Y., chair of Muhlenberg's board of trustees. "The college is in a strong position to continue its tradition of excellence. Jim Steffy and the senior management team have done a superb job during the past year, and we expect Randy to provide strong leadership for many years to come," he said.

Born in Louisville, Ky., Helm is a 1970 graduate of Yale University, New Haven, Conn. He earned a doctorate in ancient history from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, in 1980. He served from 1981 to 1988 as an adjunct assistant professor of ancient history and urban studies at the University of Pennsylvania before joining the faculty at Colby as a professor of classical studies.

"I'm a fervent advocate of liberal arts education as the best possible preparation for lives of leadership, service and lifelong learning," said Helm. "Muhlenberg is one of the relatively small number of liberal arts colleges that combine a close, nurturing community with dedication to teaching and scholarship. The extraordinary efforts and dedication of Muhlenberg's faculty, students, staff and board leadership, and their commitment to a shared set of values, have made this college a national treasure," he said.

While at the University of Pennsylvania, Helm was a senior administrative fellow, coordinator of college house programs, associate director of development and director of development. At Colby he served as vice president for development and alumni relations from 1988 to 2001.

"Randy Helm has been an exceptional leader at Colby for the past 15 years and a highly valued member of the senior administrative staff," said Colby President William D. Adams. "I will miss his wisdom and experience, and I believe Muhlenberg College is fortunate indeed in its choice."

Helm is married to Patricia Burton Helm, an adjunct assistant professor of music at Colby. They are the parents of two sons.

Founded in 1848, Muhlenberg College now enrolls about 2,100 students and has a faculty of 146 full-time and 86 part-time educators.