Carrying the Torch of Legacy: VU kicks off 2026-27 Academic Year

Bathed in a warm, flickering glow, the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center transformed as Vincennes University faculty and staff gathered side-by-side, igniting a symbolic torch to usher in a bright new chapter for the 2026-27 academic year.

Celebrating 225 years of excellence, the University’s Opening Meeting on Aug. 10 was filled with passion and exuberance as each person set their candle ablaze with President Dr. Chuck Johnson standing on stage. 

Johnson said, “This room is full of Trailblazers who carry the light. A Trailblazer doesn't light the path for just themselves. They light it so others can find their way. At Vincennes University, we often use the word Trailblazer, and a Trailblazer is someone who chooses to make life better for someone else. Sometimes through teaching, sometimes through advising, sometimes through maintaining a building. Sometimes just answering a phone. And sometimes through encouragement when someone believes they can't continue. Every person here has that opportunity every day.”

With Johnson posing questions, the theater was aglow with candlelight as faculty and staff lit their candles recognizing the occasions they’ve encouraged a student, coworker, or colleague during difficult times, gone beyond their job description because someone needed their help, celebrated someone else's successes as their own, or helped someone feel like they belonged at VU, with every light representing someone who chose to make another person's path a little brighter.

Johnson added, “Together we become a light that reaches thousands of students, families, employers, and communities. At Vincennes University, we don't simply educate. We develop people and enhance communities. We believe people learn in order to serve, whether you teach in a lab or classroom, care for our grounds and facilities, answer phones, steward our resources, prepare meals, counsel or advised, keep us safe, open doors to knowledge and information, make students feel at home, hire and support our people, help a student afford the dream, tell our story, engage our partners, walk alongside our students, support technology, serve our communities, raise funds, coach our students, keep us healthy, recruit future Trailblazers, or serve in one of the many behind the scenes important roles. Your work changes lives. Service is not just something we do. It is who we are. I hope you leave today remembering this. Every conversation matters. Every act of kindness matters. Everyone matters. Every one of us carries a light. Thank you for choosing to let yours shine in helping others blaze their trail. Trailblazers, let's keep the lights shining this year. Let's make sure we shine for the future because it's going to be very bright with all the lights we have here.”

Sparking Triumph

The atmosphere electrified during a spectacular speech by VU alumnus and blind extreme-sports athlete Lonnie Bedwell '85.

Bedwell of Dugger, Indiana earned a Robotics degree from VU. He lost his sight in a hunting accident in 1997. Bedwell was named the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. The Navy veteran is on the verge of completing one of the world’s most elite adventure challenges, the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which requires reaching both the North and South Poles and summiting the highest peak on each of the seven continents. He has climbed all seven summits and only the North Pole remains.

He fired up the audience to lean into adversity, reminding everyone that struggles are a springboard to success.

Bedwell enthusiastically said, “What can we not do? If we simply do it? Adversity is going to find each and every one of us. I think that adversity provides opportunity. It provides the opportunity for growth and to learn. But what I challenge you guys with is when it comes, becomes a little bit overwhelming, causing your vision to maybe get a little dark or a little cloudy. What I hope you will do is pause. Take a deep breath. Let it go. Refocus your mind. Expand your vision, and really, really realize the immense, the overwhelming, immense value and impact that you have on each student that walks through these doors, on this community, on this state, and in this world, and never, ever, ever give up as you continue to blaze the trails for us, for our future.”

And the Winners Are…

The extraordinary contributions and dedication of faculty and staff were recognized with the announcement of the 2026 winners of Peer Recognition Awards.

The recipients are Audrey Case (VU Jasper Assistant Mathematics Professor and Area Academic Coordinator); Samantha Riley (VU Jasper Admissions Counselor and Community Engagement Specialist), Ben Scott (Associate Professor, Physical Therapist Assistant Program); and Tricia Trent (VU Jasper Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator - Business, IT, Public Service and Service Departments).

A reception will be held in their honor later this year.

Fueling Trailblazers

Another high point of Opening Meeting is the annual donation drive that supports VU students, who may be food-challenged, with free non-perishable food and hygiene items through Sandy’s Pantry.

VU faculty and staff donated $1,769 in cash and 839 items to the pantry, which is a partnership between the University and St. John’s United Church of Christ.

Donations are continuing to be accepted in the External Relations Suite of Governor’s Hall located at 20 W. Indianapolis Ave.