Office of Advancement appoints interim

Longtime PUC employee and alumna, Regina Biddings-Muro is beginning her third month as interim vice chancellor of advancement after Daniel Hendricks vacated the position in July.

Since June 2004, Biddings-Muro has served as executive assistant to the chancellor for engagement. Prior to employment at PUC, Biddings-Muro earned both her Bachelor of Arts in 1985 and Master of Arts in 1996 from the PUC Department of Communication and Creative Arts. Over the years, she has developed an unmistakable fondness for her colleagues.

“Many of the faculty there – and in other departments – are like family to me since we have enjoyed a wonderful working relationship for many years,” Biddings-Muro said.

While filling in as an interim vice chancellor in PUC’s senior leadership is a sizeable commitment, Biddings-Muro has embraced the opportunity.

“I am delighted to serve my own university in this capacity,” Biddings-Muro said, acknowledging the responsibility associated with the position.

One of many goals of the Office of Advancement is fundraising, which is achieved through raising awareness about PUC.

“We are responsible for building relationships that lead to philanthropy to the university. That includes scholarships to assist students in paying their tuition and other donations that may be used to improve the university,” Biddings-Muro said.

Though only a few months into her duties as interim vice chancellor, Biddings-Muro is currently engaged in a major fundraising campaign for the Office of Advancement. The project, a partnership with the city of Hammond and the Hammond Parks Department, consists of developing a multipurpose athletic complex in Dowling Park. Biddings-Muro said PUC is responsible for contributing nearly $1.3 million in funds to develop facilities that will house PUC’s baseball, softball, soccer and tennis programs.

Biddings-Muro said another purpose of the Office of Advancement is to maintain the PUC website, Facebook and Twitter pages. Additionally, the department is responsible for providing support to operate the Peregrine Shuttle and information desk in the Student Union & Library Building.

Although the Office of Advancement spends a significant amount of time nurturing relations with community leaders and organizations, the department also assists students. Biddings-Muro said the Office of Advancement has the ability to provide many opportunities for students and alumni.

“We will work closely with Student Affairs to find new ways to involve students in activities and projects that are meaningful to them that will keep their relationship to the university strong while they are enrolled and after graduation,” Biddings-Muro said.

Any position with a heavy workload and an expansive amount of responsibility presents its own spectrum of challenges. Biddings-Muro said finding enough time to do everything is a challenge as she becomes more involved.

“I wish I could find 36 hours in a day,” Biddings-Muro said, explaining her desire to thank each contributor to the university in a meaningful way.

The assignment of Biddings-Muro to the interim vice chancellor position comes a year after Sarah Howard was appointed to the position of interim vice chancellor of student affairs. Chancellor Thomas Keon said the administration would concentrate on filling Howard’s position first.

“We have not, at this point in time, thought about doing a full search for that [vice chancellor of advancement] position.” Keon said.

Regardless of the temporary nature of the interim position, Biddings-Muro is dedicated to working hard to further PUC and Keon’s vision.

“He has expectations to build the relationships that will help us accomplish our strategic goals,” Biddings-Muro said. “My sleeves are rolled up.”