Brother Michael Berghoff, Alpha Delta/Purdue 1985, was elected Vice President of the Board of Trustees at Purdue University on Friday, July 19, 2013. Berghoff, an Indianapolis resident, is founder and president of the Lenex Steel Corp.
The board of trustees is made up of ten members, including a student. All ten are appointed by the governor but three of the members are recommended by the alumni association and approved by the governor.
“The role of the vice chairman is to support the chairman in any way asked,” said Berghoff. “That usually can be a number of special assignments but also includes serving on a couple of our committees. They include Physical Facilities, Academic Affairs, Audit and Insurance and Finance,” he continued.
Indiana Code provides that the Board may do all acts necessary and expedient to put and keep Purdue University in operation and that the Board may make all bylaws, rules, and regulations required to conduct and manage Purdue University. Examples of items we cover include:
- Approving contracts in excess of $2.OM
- Setting tuition
- Approving appointments of key staff reporting to the president
- Approving key academic appointments like named professorships
- Setting the strategic objectives for the university
- Approving the biennial budget
“During my time in office the board is focusing on enhancing the reputation of the university through academic excellence, improving the student experience, making it more affordable for students and supporting our faculty, staff, administration and president,” said Berghoff.
Berghoff received his bachelor's degree in industrial management from Purdue University in 1985. While a student at Purdue, Berghoff was chairman of the Purdue Student Publishing Foundation and President of Alpha Delta Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity.
Outside of his commitments to Purdue University, Berghoff spends time providing leadership at his company.
Founded in 2003, Lenex Steel designs, fabricates and installs structural steel throughout the Midwest. The company is the largest steel fabricator in the region with plants in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Ind. Producing steel for some of the state’s major commercial projects.
Before starting Lenex, Brother Berghoff worked in management positions at Haden Construction and Broad, Vogt & Conant, a steel fabrication company, both of Detroit; and Ferguson Steel in Indianapolis.
Despite his busy schedule with Lenex and Purdue's Board of Trustees, Berghoff remains actively involved with other volunteer efforts and in the local Indianapolis community. He served as president of Alpha Delta Chapter's House Corporation, is a past President of the St. Simon the Apostle Parish, a member of the Board of Directors at Cathedral High School, and Chairman of the board of directors for Young Presidents Organization. Berghoff was appointed to the Board of Trustees at Purdue July 11, 2009.
Congratulations, Brother Berghoff! You are an example of "The Assisting Hand" by living out the Creed as an alumnus. You hold true to Theta Chi Fraternity's Maxim: Alma Mater First and Theta Chi for Alma Mater!