Those who hail from Small Town America can surely make a difference in the world.
Just look at Michael Victor, a Ridgway native, who spent his younger years snow skiing and water skiing, playing tennis and admittedly golfing poorly.
But as years rolled by, he has served as a college president, college dean and CEO.
Now, Victor is coming on his first year of being the president at Mercyhurst University of Erie. He assumed the responsibilities as the 12th president of that university in August 2015.
“Small towns, just like small schools, can be helpful in nurturing young people,” said Victor, a 1979 graduate of Elk County Christian (now Elk County Catholic). “I felt I had a good, solid upbringing in Ridgway and, upon leaving, was able to hold true to the values that had been ingrained in me since my youth.”
He attributes attaining success along the way to good, old-fashioned hard work and determination.
“For anyone looking to make a difference in the world, know your own heart first, be true to who you are, and always remember to celebrate those who have helped guide your path. In the end, you do not do it alone,” Victor said.
He said it has felt like he has been the president of the Mercyhurst University for nine years rather instead of nine months.
“That’s how proactive and hard-working my administration has been in making the changes I felt were necessary for Mercyhurst University to prosper,” Victor said. “The actions taken so far have yielded tangible benefits. We have had a record number of campus visits, applications are up significantly and there is a new sense of community on campus.”
At the college, officials have raised more than $2 million, improved the university’s administrative and academic structure, developed a new academic calendar and changed and reduced the size of the liberal arts core curriculum, Victor said.
“I intend to continue down the road of innovation, growing our existing niche programs, like intelligence studies, forensic anthropology and dance, while creating new ones. Mercyhurst has always been a pioneer — that’s the legacy of our founders, The Sisters of Mercy,” he said. “We intend to remain ever nimble in adjusting our curriculum to meet the needs of our students in today’s global economy while also holding true to our liberal arts tradition. ”
All in all, he said he enjoys the engagement of being president –– meeting new students, attending games and art events and “sharing the Mercyhurst experience with everyone I can,” Victor said.
“Erie has been my home for many years and even when I was president of Lake Erie College in nearby Painesville, Ohio, I traveled home whenever I could,” he said. “Before going to Lake Erie, I had been dean of the Walker School of Business at Mercyhurst University, which has always held a special place in my heart. When the opportunity arose to return to Mercyhurst as president, I took it.”
Being back in Erie –– the place where he raised his children and where he has many friends and business colleagues –– is something he considers a gift.
Victor’s work over the years has not gone unnoticed. He was named Business Leader of the Year for Erie in 1998, Leader of the Year Leadership Lake County in 2012 and Citizen of the Year Painesville Chamber of Commerce in 2012.
And throughout Victor’s busy life, he hasn’t forgotten Elk County. He said he still has family in the Ridgway area, including three sisters: Carol Swanson, Peggy Howard and Marcia Dunton, as well as nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
“I return to Ridgway on occasion, but my schedule keeps me very busy,” Victor said.
