2023

In Memoriam: Former VP and Interim President Jim Steffy

In his nearly two decades with the College, Steffy, who died October 28, played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of campus. His year as interim president helped steady the institution during a time of great turmoil.

By: Meghan Kita  Tuesday, November 21, 2023 10:30 AM

At left, the earliest headshot of Jim Steffy to appear in the Ciarla yearbook; at right, the headshot that appeared in the Ciarla the year he was interim president

Jim Steffy, who served Muhlenberg as vice president for planning and administration from 1987-1999 and as interim president for the 2002-2003 academic year, died October 28.

“Jim was a man of deep integrity,” says President Kathleen Harring. “He always did what was best for the College, taking on tasks big and small that strengthened the institution, particularly during challenging times.”

Steffy came to Muhlenberg in 1985 after 26 years at Susquehanna University, where he had been a faculty member in the music department. He initially oversaw joint programs between Muhlenberg and Cedar Crest College, was named executive director for planning and administration in 1986 and became a vice president in 1987. After Steffy’s retirement in 1999, he stayed on as a capital projects consultant. 

“Jim was a man of deep integrity. He always did what was best for the College, taking on tasks big and small that strengthened the institution, particularly during challenging times.” President Kathleen Harring

Former Vice President of External Affairs and Community Relations Mike Bruckner recounts Steffy’s tremendous involvement in the planning and execution of new construction on campus. That was Steffy’s focus at the time when Arthur Taylor’s presidency ended, in 2002. 

Former Chief Financial Officer Kent Dyer was initially named acting president: “I had talked to [Steffy] about the idea of [being interim president]. If we had me being the acting president for a year and bringing in an interim CFO, then we would have two people new to their positions,” says Dyer, who was acting president for less than two months. “Alternatively, Jim could step right in since he knew the College so well and I could continue in the CFO role. He was the right man for the right time.”

The Board of Trustees quickly moved to appoint Steffy. As the chair of the Board of Trustees at the time, John Heffer P’96, recalls, “[Steffy] calmed down the campus after many tumultuous years. He was special in that he could devote all his efforts to getting through the crisis because he didn’t want the job long-term. He always focused on what was best for the College and especially the student experience. No matter what was happening, we had to deliver on our promises to our students.”

Steffy spent his year as interim president resolving issues so his replacement would be able to start with a clean slate, colleagues remember. Faculty trusted his leadership partly because of his own experience being on the faculty at Susquehanna. He worked as a team with his wife, Nancy, who supported him as he took on a very public-facing role.

“He served with energy, integrity and a keen understanding of higher education and the culture of Muhlenberg College in particular,” says former Dean of the College for Academic Life Carol Shiner Wilson. “The College, which had already become stronger and more prominent, moved ahead with vigor during that year.”

“He served with energy, integrity and a keen understanding of higher education and the culture of Muhlenberg College in particular. The College, which had already become stronger and more prominent, moved ahead with vigor during that year.” Former Dean of the College for Academic Life Carol Shiner Wilson

Steffy was succeeded by former President Randy Helm. He remained involved with Muhlenberg, conducting a song with the Allentown Band at Commencement each year and staying in touch with colleagues. (Bruckner recalls Steffy playing his 10-foot-long alpine horn at his retirement party.)

Bruckner sees parallels between Steffy’s time as interim president of Muhlenberg and his other major identity as a musician: He understood all the different pieces — financial, admissions, faculty, fundraising — and “he put it all together and made harmony,” Bruckner says. “It worked because he made everything synchronized and harmonized.”

Steffy’s survivors include his wife of 49 years, Nancy; three children (James, John, Susan) and two stepchildren (Michael and Jeff); eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Read the published obituary here.