Bill Medland is currently the University Chancellor at Viterbo University, the first person ever to be given that position by the Board of Trustees. Prior to that, Medland served as President of Viterbo University and Professor of History from 1991-2006. During his 15 year tenure as President, the longest in school history, Medland transformed Viterbo from a college to a university, generating record enrollment, increasing undergraduate and graduate degrees dramatically, and increasing the budget from 8.9 million in 1991 to 38 million. He initiated many graduate degrees and undergraduate programs. He created a new governance system and created five academic schools within the university. Vision 2005 included successful capital projects; Rose Terrace Student Apartments; Outdoor Athletic Complex; Physical Plant Building; V-Hawk and Viterbo Student Courts; and the Amie L. Mathy Center for Recreation and Education.

Medland, born in Logansport, Indiana, has several university degrees including: A.B. University of Notre Dame 1966; M.A (History) ’67, M.A. (Ed) ’79, Ph.D. (History) ’80 Ball State University; Post-Doctoral Studies at Harvard, M.I.T, and Freie Universitӓt in Berlin.

Bill has received numerous awards and recognitions, including: 2002 Exemplar of Mission Award from Viterbo University; 2003 Iverson-Freking Ecumenical Award; 2003 La Crosse Tribune Person of the Year; 2004 Honorary Chair, American Cancer Society’s Tri-College Relay for Life; 2004 LADCO Triangle of Achievement Award for the Mathy Center; 2004 FSPA Christian Mission Award for Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership; 2004 Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award; 2005 Boys & Girls Clubs’ National Man and Youth Award; and 2006 Pope John XXIII Award for Distinguished Service.



Bill has been married to his wife, Donna, for 30 years, and is father to Bridget, Mark, and Jeanne. In addition, the Medland’s have been foster care parents to 18 newborn infants.