Administrative/Biographical History
Marc vanderHeyden, a native of Belgium, became president of Saint Michael’s in 1996 after serving as provost at Marist College and working at Rider College and Cedar Crest College. He took over after a very successful Reiss presidency and so, unlike most of his predecessors, was not mired in crises from the outset. He spent a year listening and learning on campus before beginning to implement changes or his own vision. In contrast to Reiss before him, he focused very much on the undergraduate liberal educational experience, eventually closing the Prevel School to devote more energy to the undergraduate curriculum. He also renewed interest in North campus properties at Fort Ethan Allen and encouraged students’ staff and faculty, as well as the Society of Saint Edmund, to renew interest in their own history. He started the Pontigny Heritage Trips encouraging travel to France and England in an effort to understand the Society of Saint Edmund and their patron saint. He oversaw an expansive capital campaign that raised the College endowment significantly. The College finally achieved its goal of 100 percent residency on campus with the addition of three new dormitories during his tenure. His “Vision 2010” plan included the following institutional strategies—a foundation and future in faith,. Academic excellence, centrality of students, strength in community and fiscal responsibility through resource acquisition and accountability. During his term the College also became a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He formally announced his retirement in May 2006.
