Peyton Randolph Helm took office as President of Muhlenberg College July 1, 2003. He holds the faculty rank of professor of history.

Immediately prior to joining the Muhlenberg community, President Helm served as vice president for college relations and professor of classical studies at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

President Helm began his career in academic administration at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was named coordinator of College House Programs in 1981. He served as associate director of development and then director of development for Penn’s School of Arts and Sciences. From 1981-1988 he was also an adjunct assistant professor of ancient history and urban studies at Penn. In 1988, President Helm was named vice president for development and alumni relations at Colby College, where he was promoted to vice president for college relations in 2001.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has awarded President Helm its Steuben Apple, given to advancement professionals who have been rated as a top speaker at ten or more national conferences. President Helm has delivered addresses and conducted seminars on ethics, stewardship, writing, capital campaigns, market research, and volunteer management at more than 30 conferences across the country and internationally. His writing has been published in CASE Currents and Successful Fund Raising, as well as various scholarly publications in the field of ancient history.

President Helm earned his bachelor’s degree in archaeology, with magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa distinction, from Yale University. He earned his doctoral degree in ancient history, specializing in ancient Greek and Near Eastern history and literature, from the University of Pennsylvania.