VINCENNES, Ind. – Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb appointed Don Villwock of Edwardsport to the Vincennes University Board of Trustees on Nov. 25.

VU President Chuck Johnson expressed his pleasure with the Governor's appointment.

"Don brings so many attributes that will make him an outstanding addition to our board and I am excited to work with him in his new role,” Johnson said. “As a leading light in Indiana agriculture for decades, Don brings expertise and a personal reputation to the Board that will have huge benefits for Vincennes University. His connections with Purdue University align with the many partnerships between the two institutions and, as a Knox County resident and business owner, Don brings deep insight into the needs of people and communities in this region."

Villwock is the owner and manager of Villwock Farms, which has acreage in Knox, Daviess, Sullivan, and Greene counties. It was founded in 1972. Villwock graduated that same year from Purdue University with a degree in Agricultural Economics – Farm Management.

Villwock served as the president of Indiana Farm Bureau and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance Companies from 2002 to 2015.

He replaces Millie Marshall as a trustee. His term expires Oct. 4, 2020.

“It is indeed an honor to be asked to serve at an institution where I truly believe in its mission,” Villwock said. “I have been on numerous committees through the years at Vincennes University. I’ve been doing all I can to help forward the mission and all the things the University is involved with.

“When the governor called and asked if I would serve, I was truly honored.”

Villwock has strong ties to Vincennes University. He holds an Honorary Doctorate from VU. His wife, Joyce Villwock, is a former VU Director of Alumni Relations and a Family and Consumer Sciences instructor.

Don Villwock has significant national, state, and local leadership experience.

He was appointed the United States Department of Agriculture state executive director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS) in 1989. He was appointed to the 21st Century Commission on Agriculture in 1997. He also served as the state agricultural liaison to the late U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar from 1984 to 1989. He has served on the American Farm Bureau Board of Directors, American Farm Bureau Board Executive Committee, and has held numerous other national leadership posts.

In addition, he is a former chairman of the Indiana Institute of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition. He is a former state board member of the Indiana Corn Growers and Indiana Soybean Growers associations. Villwock also is past president of the Knox County Farm Bureau and is a former vice chairman of the Knox County Redevelopment Commission.

Villwock is a recipient of the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash, the highest civilian honor in Indiana. Also included among his many honors and distinctions are the Indiana Lt. Governor’s AgriVision Award, Indiana Prairie Farmer Master Farmer Award, USDA Administrator’s Award of Excellence for Distinctive Service, Indiana Honorary Commissioner of Agriculture, and Knox County Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award.

Villwock and his wife have two daughters and two grandchildren.

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College

VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper, the Aviation Technology Center and American Sign Language program in Indianapolis, Early College Career and Technical Education Centers, and additional sites such as the Gene Haas Training and Education Center in Lebanon, the Logistics Training and Education Center in Plainfield, and the Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics in Fort Branch. A leader in developing Early Colleges statewide, VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.

In addition to offering a wide range of associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, secondary education programs in mathematics and science, and special education/elementary education.

VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 36 other states, and 21 other countries. Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls. VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory. More information is available at www.vinu.edu.

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Vincennes University Newsroom

MARCIA MARTINEZ, University Life Reporter & Sports Information Director
   812-888-4164 office, 314-599-1519 cell, VUNews@vinu.edu, mmartinez@vinu.edu
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY, Department of University Relations, www.vinu.edu/newsroom