DECATUR, Ill. – Before Millikin University’s new Vice President of University Advancement, Rick Darnell, came on board full-time on June 1, he was able to spend some time on campus and had the opportunity to see the 2025 True Blue Challenge — the University’s annual giving event tied to the anniversary of Millikin’s 1901 founding.
The experience was an important one for Darnell, who got to see the support that Millikin faculty, staff, students and alumni have for their institution, as the Alumni and Development team quickly surpassed their fundraising goal for the challenge.
“It was fun just to see some of the activities they had on campus. I was impressed, and I think the dedication by my staff and the planning of the event was very impressive,” Darnell said. “I was encouraged by the matches and obviously, the philanthropy. Our goal was 300,000, and we raised $450,000. That is spectacular. It was a great demonstration to me that the staff is experienced and talented, and their preparation paid off.”
Darnell now serves as an ambassador for the University, building relationships with Millikin’s alumni, donors and friends across the country. During his initial efforts in reaching out to those groups, he’s been impressed with their love for their alma mater.
“I think first and foremost, it has been incredibly rewarding. The passion that people have here stands out, and their love for the Big Blue is very, very real,” he said. “I think there's a true sense of momentum that's taking place here, and I think it's building. I hear it when I’m interacting with alums, and in my first 90 days, I’m proud to say I've achieved my goal of having over 100 interactions, both internally and externally, with alums, faculty, and staff here on campus. It has been beneficial for me to get a real sense of what Millikin’s place is in our community and Central Illinois.”
Darnell came to Millikin with more than 30 years of institutional and business leadership experience, most recently serving as the University of Illinois Foundation’s Senior Vice President of Development. Rick has worked in university advancement, college athletics and corporate America.
“I’ve worked with Rick Darnell as both a donor and in business, and I’ve seen the integrity, professionalism and strategic vision he brings to every relationship. Rick is a dynamic leader whose passion for connecting people to purpose will be a tremendous asset to Millikin,” said Kara Demirjian Huss, Millikin University Trustee Emeritus and President of DCC Marketing.
Before joining the team, Darnell already had a close relationship with Millikin, as his wife, Cindy (Clifton) Darnell, was a Big Blue student for two and a half years.
“She had a great experience, and the impact that Millikin had many years ago still resonates today. I also have friends who attended, and I know they look back on their time here fondly,” he said. “I also want to continue to be a part of trying to help students, and what better way to do that than at a small private institution?”
As Millikin’s Vice President of University Advancement, Darnell leads the Office of Alumni & Development and strengthens Millikin’s relationships with its external and internal partners.
“We want to ask everybody to think about their positive experiences when they were here at Millikin, and for folks in the community, to think about their positive interactions with Millikin. We're asking you to join the journey,” Darnell said. “Millikin University is an anchor institution in Decatur, Central Illinois and the state of Illinois in transforming lives by preparing students for professional success through Performance Learning and enhancing their personal lives with meaning and value. For all who aspire to achieve, Millikin delivers on the promise of excellence in education.”
Darnell asks that alumni and friends help Millikin make a difference in the lives of future students by finding a personal place to make an impact and making a dedicated commitment to one, two, or all five of the Pillars of Engagement:
- TIME — There are only 86,400 seconds in a day, so when you give time, it means something. Please make TIME for Millikin.
- TIES — Share the ties that bind us to Millikin. You are a branch of the family tree of those who care about Millikin University. Please reconnect with your friends and make time together.
- TRIUMPHS — Tell stories about what's happening and share the great memories with us, your classmates, co-workers and friends. Please consider promoting Millikin to the next generation and help us grow our branches. A great, funny story of wisdom you learned from Millikin goes a long way in inspiring others.
- TALENTS — Millikin students are here to launch their professional careers and to land a job. If you're hiring, share your company's values and what you're looking for in employees. Please consider hiring our graduates or coming to campus to meet our students. Simply sharing your wisdom and professional advice by speaking to a class, judging students’ research posters, attending a performance, or serving as an adjunct professor lets you witness the brilliance of our students firsthand. As you grow your engagement, you may be asked to serve as an advisor, participate on a committee, join a society, join the Alumni Board, champion a class reunion, support a giving initiative, or serve on the Board of Trustees. Each of us has talents. Thriving alumni organizations nationally stand out when alumni and friends uplift their universities by sharing their talents.
- TREASURES — Giving financially is an incredible act of generosity. Philanthropy is the fuel that helps transform students' lives and helps make their experience go from good to great. Treasures can be all kinds of investments: from annual giving supporting the Millikin Fund (students' needs), to the Millikin Annual Scholarship Fund, to a major gift for an endowment or facility project, to a planned gift. Every gift matters. We are excited to grow participation among all alumni and friends by introducing a class giving challenge to True Blue as we celebrate Millikin’s 125th Anniversary since Founder’s Day in 1901 on April 30, 2026.
“It's a new day here, and we are sincerely asking for your help to advance Millikin University by joining us in this journey to share your time, ties, triumphs, talents and treasures. Real impact comes from a relationship built on trust and respect. The Five Pillars of Engagement are simply a way for any alum or friend of the University to engage with Millikin University strategically,” Rick said. “Millikin University has served our nation well for half of our country’s 250-year existence. Millikin Made graduates have been a source of strength, stability and support for their communities, businesses, families, and friends for generations.
A month after Darnell started at Millikin, Dr. Dean Pribbenow began his tenure as the University’s 17th President. A priority for President Pribbenow is building strong community relations, starting around Decatur, with a key piece being the connection with Millikin's more than 36,000 alumni, making Darnell an essential partner in those efforts.
“I think Dean is an elite academic leader with incredible private school leadership experience. I think what stands out for me is Dean’s humility, his caring and his focus on students, which is clear in his decisions during his first few weeks,” Darnell said. “He’s a 21st-century leader for a private school institution because of his servant leadership style. He has a commitment to the University's mission and his belief in Millikin’s Performance Learning. He has incredible focus right now on being present, re-aligning our purpose, supporting our people, and strengthening our partnerships.”
Darnell is looking forward to his first Millikin Homecoming experience when the yearly celebration returns to campus October 3-5. This year’s celebration will be themed “Paint the Town Blue.” Check out the Homecoming page to see all the events taking place, including a dedication ceremony for the David J. & Debra C. Rathje Athletic Center.
“Homecoming is a celebration of people, and it’s Millikin Made by the alumni and the friends who care about Millikin. It's our chance to have an open door to return to campus to see the students, faculty and staff in their setting,” Rick said. “It's a chance to make new memories, meet new people, and see what they're accomplishing. I want to encourage people to come back because we're honoring people, opening a new facility for students and having class reunions. It is a time to celebrate everything that is Millikin.”
What Decatur Community Leaders and Millikin alumni are saying about Rick’s leadership:
"My husband, Mark, and I have known Rick Darnell for several years. His passion for his work comes through with a natural ability to connect with people around him. Rick has extensive experience with business leaders and instinctively understands what steps to take to provide beneficial and effective outcomes."
– Julie Staley, loyal Millikin supporter, Member of the Staley Family Foundation, and President of the Board of Directors of the Staley Museum
"As proud Millikin University graduates, we are thrilled to see Rick Darnell appointed as Vice President of University Advancement. Having known Rick for over 40 years, we’ve seen firsthand his integrity, leadership, and genuine dedication to others. Millikin is gaining a driven, visionary leader who will build strong connections and advance the University’s mission with passion and purpose. We look forward to supporting his continued success and impact at Millikin."
– Bryan T. Hood ’93 and Tracy Maxey Hood ’93, Salem, Ill.
“As a Millikin alum, I couldn’t be more excited to see Rick step into this role. We worked together in Illinois Athletics, and I saw firsthand the passion, creativity and genuine care he brings to everything he does. He has a remarkable talent for building authentic connections and creating meaningful engagements. With his unique skills and unwavering dedication, he’s truly poised to make a lasting difference — not just for the University, but for all of us who continue to carry Millikin with us.”
– Jennifer Camden Larson ’91, Noblesville, Ind.
