VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University President Chuck Johnson announced today that Sarah Fortune, founder of Lionfish Advertising, has been hired as senior director of External Relations.

Fortune, a graduate of Vincennes and Indiana universities, founded Evansville, Indiana-based Lionfish in 2013 and guided the award-winning company’s rapid growth in representing state, national and global brands. 

“I am delighted that Sarah will be joining us in this important role,” Johnson said. “She brings not only a great combination of skills and experiences, but she also knows VU both as an alum and through her work for us at Lionfish. Through Sarah’s leadership, I am confident that even more people will learn about the many great VU stories we have to tell.”

As senior director of External Relations, Fortune will guide the University’s communications and marketing initiatives, event planning, parent and student services, and the Sports Information team.

Fortune has served in an interim role as the University’s director of marketing since November. As chief executive of Lionfish, Fortune and her creative team have worked closely with VU faculty and staff for several years to enhance the University’s marketing and public relations content.

Before launching Lionfish, Fortune worked in broadcast media for NBC and FOX affiliates in Southern Indiana.

A native of Boonville, Indiana, Fortune volunteers her time teaching oil painting to children in group homes and other settings. She is involved with multiple dog rescues. She also over the years has donated 50-inches of her hair to Locks-of-Love, which assists children suffering from medical hair loss.

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