VINCENNES, Ind. - Bumper Hostetler, who has served as president of the Vincennes University Foundation since 2006, has announced his retirement, which will be effective Feb. 23.

Under Hostetler’s leadership, Foundation funds have grown from $23 million to $32 million, and more than 280 new scholarships and department funds have been created. The Foundation has also sponsored more than 70 golf outings to benefit scholarships and programs, more than 65 community entertainment performances at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center, and reached out to more than 172,000 people monthly via an e-newsletter.

Vincennes University President Chuck Johnson praised Hostetler’s contributions to VU and the community. “Bumper has shown tremendous dedication to the mission of VU and to the important role of the VU Foundation in his nearly 12 years as Foundation President. The University is certainly grateful for Bumper’s dedicated leadership. He has guided the Foundation during a period of remarkable progress.”

“The proudest accomplishment is the relationships that our staff and board have built with donors, alumni, and friends of VU to meet the needs of the University and its students,” said Hostetler. “The manner in which these people have positively responded to help the Foundation has had significant impacts now and for in the future.” Hostetler singled out Foundation Board Chair George Rehnquist and individual board members for serving as his “confidants, advisors, and friends over the years.”

The VU Foundation was the recipient of a 2015 Overall Improvement Educational Fundraising Award, presented by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, which honors superior fundraising programs.

“The most enjoyable part of the job has been working with the staff and Board as well as hearing the many donor and alumni stories about their time spent at VU, growing up in the community, and the life they have been able to enjoy. This was made possible because of the dedicated staff and faculty who go above and beyond expectations to care about them when they attended VU,” Hostetler said.

“It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with the dedicated Foundation staff, our volunteer Board of Directors and the many caring donors and alumni I’ve had the joy of working with over more than 11 years. I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by wonderful people I can call friends,” Hostetler said.

In addition to his work for the Foundation, Hostetler was also an adjunct faculty member, teaching sports marketing, from 2008 to 2013. Prior to coming to the VU Foundation, Hostetler served as executive director/CEO of YMCAs in North Webster, Peru, and Vincennes.

“The Vincennes University Foundation is in the ‘people business’ and Bumper is the best of what the Foundation is all about. He will be missed. He's a good friend. I wish him all the best,” said George Rehnquist, Chair of the VU Foundation Board of Directors.

In the coming weeks the Foundation and VU will work together to conduct the search process for a new person to lead the organization. During that transition, Kristi Deetz, VU’s senior director of External Relations, will expand her responsibilities to serve as interim director of the Foundation, according to an announcement by VU President Chuck Johnson.

“I am confident that the progress the Foundation has achieved under Bumper’s leadership will continue with Kristi, who has served the University well for over 25 years. She has already begun working with Bumper and the Foundation Board to ensure a smooth hand-off of critical duties and relationships.”

KRISTI (BOWMAN) DEETZ

Deetz, a Vincennes native and VU alumna, has served as senior director of External Relations at VU since December 2006, after serving seven months as interim senior director. She has led efforts to develop strategic marketing, communications, and recruitment initiatives, as well as direct brand management, institutional positioning, media relations, and crisis communications. She currently serves as a team leader for the University’s reaccreditation process. In 2006 she was named a VU Peer Recognition Award recipient.

Deetz previously served as communications manager at VU, 2004-06, following 13 years as producer/director for WVUT-TV, a part of the VU Broadcasting Department.

“As a graduate of VU, I truly appreciate and believe in the mission and vision of this institution and in the critical role the VU Foundation has in our success,” Deetz said. “I consider it a great honor to be able to serve my alma mater in this new capacity and to work with the talented members of the External Relations, Alumni, and Foundation teams to build relationships with students and their families, alumni, and the many partners and stakeholders across the state and communities far beyond Indiana.”

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VICKIE PUFFER, Communications Coordinator & Online Newsroom Manager
812-888-4162 (office), 812-887-4635 (cell), VUNews@vinu.edu, vpuffer@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/news/newsroom