(KLZA)-- Rick Rummel graduated from Peru State College and built an impressive resume that took him to places like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Florida, and Ohio. More than four decades after getting his business degree, he has returned to Peru State as Vice President for Administration and Finance.

Rummel- experience managing business operations for colleges and universities, non-profit social services agencies, and his connection to Peru State, made him not just the top candidate for the position, Peru State President Michael Evans said, but an ideal one. “This position requires a potent mix of experience, judgment, and interpersonal skills. Rick is the right person to ensure the College continues to thrive for years to come—and he- already making a significant difference for Peru State.”

For his part, Rummel sees his new post as the capstone of his career. “This is, I hope, my last stop. I want to make a difference,” Rummel said. Having grown up in Omaha and the first in his family to attend college, he followed the fortunes of Peru State from afar throughout his life. And while acknowledging the massive upgrades to the College- facilities since his student days, at its core he senses it- the same Peru State he experienced in the late 1970s and early ‘80s.

“The campus feels incredibly familiar to me,” Rummel noted. “It- almost surreal.” His time as a student, Rummel served as a residence hall assistant and was actively involved in the college- vocal music groups. He fondly remembers the faculty and staff as “a dedicated and supportive community, deeply committed to helping students succeed.”

Succeed he did. Rummel returns to Peru State after four years as Director of Finance and Administration for the Immigrant Legal Center and Refugee Empowerment Center in Omaha. Before that, he was Controller for the Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts. Other posts include four years as Associate VP for Finance and Business Services at the Rhode Island School of Design; six years at the Florida Institute of Technology, including VP of Financial Planning and Control; and three years as an Associate VP for Business Affairs at Ohio Dominican University.

He also served as the Director of Budget and Financial Analysis at Cleveland State University in Ohio and held the position of Controller at Quincy University in Illinois, where he earned his master- degree. Additionally, he worked as a Senior Accountant at Metropolitan Community College in Omaha.

“My dream has always been to be a Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at a college,” Rummel stated. He explained that his deep affection for Peru State and his commitment to its mission made this role an ideal opportunity at this stage in his life. “Peru State transformed the course of my life,” he added. “It equipped me for success.”

Rummel will oversee key areas including financial planning and management, accounting and business services, facilities and physical plant operations, information technology, and budget administration. His primary focus will be on ensuring the quality of services within these departments while continuously seeking operational efficiencies. In the short term, his primary objective is to help the college establish a more sustainable and robust budgeting process.

A self-described “workaholic,” Rummel has few hobbies outside of reading and spending time with his two dogs. He and his spouse of 30 years like to take in Broadway shows in New York.

As the academic year kicks off, it- an especially busy time on the college campus. Though the processes and the people have evolved significantly since his undergraduate days, Rummel is eager to contribute to “the strong commitment I see from the faculty and staff here at Peru State College.”