News and Features
Surrounded by the Right Community, You Can Weather Any Storm: The Story of Emmett Twomey ’23
Was the dream career you had when you were a kid the same as the one you are pursuing now as an adult? For Emmett Twomey ’23, the answer is yes! From a young age, Emmett knew he wanted to be a meteorologist. His fascination with weather began in first grade when a tornado warning in his Chicagoland hometown sparked a lifelong interest. “I remember seeing the gray screen of death on the TV,” Emmett recalls. “My dad told me to look up tornadoes on Google, and I found raw storm-chasing footage. I was hooked,” he says excitedly. This passion led him to Valpo, a choice inspired by a news story about the University’s storm-chasing class. As someone who didn’t want to just study meteorology but experience it, the hands-on opportunities Valpo offered sealed the deal for Emmett. “At Valpo, you get to do the coolest stuff in the least…
Star light, star bright: Careers and stars don’t end — they slowly transition to something just as bright
When a star is born They possess a gift or two One of them is this They have the power to make a wish come true Bruce Hrivnak, Ph.D., professor of physics and astronomy, has had his head in the stars nearly all his life. He has spent all but a few years of his four-decade career as a professor of physics and astronomy at Valparaiso University. It seems only appropriate that he now winds down his career like so many of the stars that he studies — slowly, but shining brightly all along the way. Professor Hrivnak has left the classroom, having taught his last class in the spring 2018 semester, but will continue as a senior research professor mentoring students and studying stars as they near the end of their nearly 10-billion-year life spans. It is that research that has helped define Professor Hrivnak’s career as well as…
Creating Possibility: EPIC Scholarship Fuels Valpo Experience
As Anna Bockman ’21 enters her second year of college, she has already engaged in critical research at Valparaiso University, playing a role in the possible development of future antifungal medications. The Plymouth, Indiana, native is one of 11 students at Valpo admitted in the fall 2017 cohort of the EPIC scholarship program, designed to provide funding and support for students who may otherwise be unable to pursue STEM education at Valpo in the College of Arts and Sciences. The program, made possible due to a grant from the National Science Foundation, is intended to increase retention among commuter and residential students through its many unique features, including financial assistance, one-on-one faculty mentorship, and cutting-edge research opportunities beginning in year one. EPIC scholarship recipients are invited to bond with others in the cohort of students who take retreats, share meals, and go on short outings that promote STEM-related topics and…
Coming Home: Proud to Serve and Driven to Succeed
While Dan Pelzel ’18 and Mark Galetti ’18 found their niche and a sense of purpose at Valpo, they also encountered challenges along the way. But not long ago, they were faced with a much more arduous challenge — serving in the United States military. Dan was active duty U.S. Army from October 2009 to January 2016 and was deployed multiple times to countries such as Afghanistan and Korea prior to retiring due to medical injuries. Mark, a U.S. Navy veteran, served two deployments to the Middle East from 2008 to 2013. “Although their life experiences are very different than those of traditional college students, Dan and Mark have fit right in, and they’ve developed a large group of friends within the political science department,” says Amy Atchison, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and international relations. “I love having them and other veterans in my classes because they bring…
Unmatched Opportunity: The Valpo Experience Draws Students from Around the World
The irony was not lost on Claire Ehr ’19. The day she made her official visit to the Valparaiso University campus it was raining, which meant she was not able to do a full walking tour. But maybe that was a sign. Claire grew up in London, known as much for its foggy and overcast skies as landmarks like Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. “I remember running from building to building because of the rain,” Claire says of that day in the spring of 2015. But that visit made an impact on Claire and stands out in her mind for many other reasons. “The people were very nice and friendly,” she says. “I was able to sit in on a class, and I remember it was such great conversation academically. I was excited to participate in that kind of environment.” A Valpo legacy Born in Spain and having lived her…
Boundless: Katie Willenbrink ’18 Studies the Course and the Stars
Whether it’s in the classroom, at the observatory, or on the golf course, anyone who encounters Katie Willenbrink ’18 is bound to take note of her cool and collected demeanor. That ability to stay calm helps Katie pull off a virtual juggling act as she thrives academically as a physics major and athletically as a member of the women’s golf team, in addition to working with Bruce Hrivnak, Ph.D., professor of physics and astronomy, as a research aid. “Keeping up with everything can be really difficult; there are some long days,” Katie says. “My professors have been very accommodating to me as an athlete, and my coach has been accommodating to my academic priorities. They all want me to succeed on both fronts.” The seeds of Katie’s love for astronomy were planted during her sophomore year of high school when her astronomy class learned about the transit of Venus. While…
Bon Appétit: French Majors Cook up Final Project in the Kitchen
The recipe for success for two French language majors at Valparaiso University literally was a recipe. Jennifer LeCaptain ’16 and Andrea Sanchez ’16 took experiential learning out of the classroom and went back in time to produce a 21st-century cookbook. The brainchild of Timothy J. Tomasik, Ph.D., associate professor of foreign languages and literatures, was to take a 16th century Renaissance French cookbook and not only transcribe it into modern-day French but code it to become a living digital document. The cherry on top was having the students prepare a menu that would be shared with classmates and colleagues. No blue book was need for this final. Instead, flatware and dishes for a four-course banquet replaced the pencil and paper. “The nature of this class and this project was atypical,” Professor Tomasik says. “That said, experiential learning is part of every foreign language class. Language learning can’t be separated from…
500th Remembrance of Reformation Includes Valpo Choir, Special Music Composition
“Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” — Martin Luther What started as a call to reform the Catholic Church became a worldwide movement involving millions of people throughout the past five centuries. To remember the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, a journey Martin Luther ignited on Oct. 31, 1517, Lutherans and others from around the globe will gather at Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, the very spot it all began. Among those gathered will be the Valparaiso University Chorale, under the direction of Christopher M. Cock, D.Mus., Phyllis and Richard Duesenberg Chair in Lutheran Music and professor of music. The 48-voice choir, joined on the week-long trip by Valpo alumni, family, and friends, is the only international ensemble invited to perform on this historic day in the Castle Church. The Chorale’s visit furthers a resurgence in the…
Valpo Forecast: Sunny and Successful
In the Midwest, many people say that if someone doesn’t like the weather, stick around a minute, it will change. But meteorology students at Valparaiso University are not the type to simply wait around. Quarter-century in the making In 1991, Valpo developed a meteorology major, ushering in the newly dubbed Department of Geography and Meteorology. Two years later, a post-doctoral student at the University of Wisconsin, Bart Wolf, Ph.D., professor of meteorology, was about to start his meteorology career in the heart of tornado alley, Oklahoma. But he took a slight detour, and instead became Valpo’s first meteorologist. “I knew I always wanted to teach,” Professor Wolf says. “Valpo is unique in that it really prides itself on excellent teaching. While other institutions may focus more on research, Valpo is motivated by teaching excellence.” It is that teaching excellence that has enabled the program to grow from a handful of…
Valparaiso University and Partners Receive $1.58M Grant to Advance STEM Education in Indiana
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education awarded $1,582,584 to Valparaiso University, Ball State University, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis and Purdue University, the institutions that comprise the Hoosier STEM Academy. “We are grateful to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for their commitment to STEM education,” said Mark L. Biermann, Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “This grant will enhance educational opportunities in the state of Indiana in the increasingly critical fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We look forward to continued work with Ball State, IUPUI and Purdue as together we equip tomorrow’s educational leaders and, through them, their students with critical skills for success.” Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields are at the forefront of innovation in the United States economy. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, jobs in the STEM fields are projected to grow twice as fast as those in other…
A Path of Discovery: Moved to Serve, Lead, and Explore
Being too far from home, becoming lost in the crowd, or standing out for not belonging. These are just a few of the many concerns Arielle Thomas ’18 faced as she began her college search. But, in a single trip to Valparaiso University, Arielle found her home for the next four years and hasn’t looked back. Arielle has thrived at Valpo, actively participating in her college journey, relishing in the support of the Valpo community, and finding comfort in a place where she can be true to herself. “Arielle is an amazing young lady. As a student, she strives for excellence and consistently makes positive contributions to the classroom,” says Byron Martin, M.Ed., director of multicultural programs. “Outside the classroom, she is a leader that is able to connect deeply and richly with everyone she comes in contact with.” Arielle first came to Valparaiso University to attend the Summer Global…
A “Gregarious” Grad: Stefon David ’17 Shines as a Student Leader
A high school track star from Westampton, N.J., Stefon David ’17 came to Valpo with high hopes and big dreams four years ago, with little foundation of what to expect. A first-generation student, he wasn’t familiar with the school, or the region, or even Indiana. Now a recent graduate, his résumé bursts with campus involvement, internships, and leadership roles. He’s a brother of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, ran track for two years, and served as the Morale Team Captain for this year’s Dance Marathon. But 2017 is not where Stefon’s story begins. At first, Stefon encountered difficulties finding his footing on campus. “I came to Valpo to run track and double major in chemistry and biology,” he says. “I ended up hating my science courses, and I dreaded going to class.” Stefon grappled with his coursework and experienced injuries on the track field. It all became too much, and coupled…
Transcending the Competition: Kyle Dunn Drills His Way to the Top on the Court and In the Classroom
Tennis balls fly back and forth across the net as young men run in zig-zag patterns to thwart their opponents hard driving serves. Tennis at Division I schools is a blur of intense and concentrated movement. At Valpo, it’s especially engaging as a Horizon League Championship winning team includes Senior Tennis Team Captain, Kyle Dunn ’17. Kyle is a student-athlete on a mission to win on the tennis court and gain admittance into dental school. As a senior and team captain, Kyle is an inspired leader, setting a high standard of excellence for both himself and his teammates. A team leader in overall singles victories, with at least 20 wins per season, Kyle’s effectiveness on the court is undeniable. On the courts, “he’s smooth and quick — fun to watch … if he loses a point or has an error, he doesn’t react to it,” says James Daugherty, head tennis…
Driven to Succeed: Ashita Bhatnagar ’18 Finds Inspiration at Valpo
Traveling more than 8,000 miles, Ashita Bhatnagar ’18 arrived at Valparaiso University two years ago sight unseen to embark on what has proven to be a journey full of challenges and growth both academically and personally. Not one to sit idle, Ashita has immersed herself in the community both inside and outside the classroom, combining a rigorous academic schedule with active extracurricular engagement. “From the moment I arrived on campus, I have been inspired,” says Ashita. “I have never felt more engaged or active. My brain is constantly at work, and I have discovered I have purpose.” With more than 700 international students, Valpo draws students from diverse backgrounds who flourish here for a multitude of reasons. Ashita attended an International Baccalaureate high school in India, and her only knowledge of Valpo was shared by her brother, Eshaan Bhatnagar ’17, who started his Valpo journey just one year prior as…
Leadership, Community, and Faith
Service. Leadership. Vocation. For Caleb Rollins ’15, these words defined his experience at Valpo and created his path to philanthropic work as development manager for Lutheran Services in America. Caleb was initially drawn to Valpo for its “home away from home” community, but he says the financial support and the promises of the Christ College — The Honors College experience led him to stay. “I wouldn’t have been able to go to Valpo if it weren’t for the financial awards I received. The opportunity to participate in Christ College was also a big draw for me because of the academic rigor and community they offered,” Caleb says. “I felt Valpo was a place that could be my home for four years. I attended three high schools, lived in about five cities before college, and was really looking for a place to call home. I felt like Valpo could be that…
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A Wonderful Mind Leading to Stellar Opportunities | Lane Scheel’s Journey of Discovery
A first-generation college student from rural Wisconsin, Lane sought a place where he could grow academically and personally. “I knew I didn’t want a huge state school experience. Valpo had that smaller, more personal feel I was looking for,” he shares. After visiting the campus, Lane fell in love with the University’s supportive atmosphere and commitment to its students. As a double major in physics and mathematics, Lane’s journey was fueled by wonder and a love for discovery from day one. “I’ve always been that kid asking questions, marveling at the night sky. I wanted to understand how everything fits together,” he says. This curiosity led him to embrace countless experiential learning opportunities at Valpo that would shape his academic and professional path. “At Valpo, it’s almost expected that physics students engage in research right away,” he notes. Under the guidance of Professor Todd Hillwig, M.S., Ph.D., Lane delved into…
Surrounded by the Right Community, You Can Weather Any Storm: The Story of Emmett Twomey ’23
Was the dream career you had when you were a kid the same as the one you are pursuing now as an adult? For Emmett Twomey ’23, the answer is yes! From a young age, Emmett knew he wanted to be a meteorologist. His fascination with weather began in first grade when a tornado warning in his Chicagoland hometown sparked a lifelong interest. “I remember seeing the gray screen of death on the TV,” Emmett recalls. “My dad told me to look up tornadoes on Google, and I found raw storm-chasing footage. I was hooked,” he says excitedly. This passion led him to Valpo, a choice inspired by a news story about the University’s storm-chasing class. As someone who didn’t want to just study meteorology but experience it, the hands-on opportunities Valpo offered sealed the deal for Emmett. “At Valpo, you get to do the coolest stuff in the least…
Radiating Around the World: Welcoming International Fulbright Scholar Aleksandra Jevtic from Serbia
Valparaiso University serves as a beacon of hope and learning, welcoming students from the region and around the globe. As we approach the fall semester, the campus is already buzzing with excitement as we prepare to embrace an exceptional international Fulbright Scholar: Aleksandra Jevtic from Serbia. Aleksandra joins Payton Hodson ’22 and Momin Mirza ’22, ’24 M.A., in a long tradition of Fulbright Scholars who are recognized for their academic and professional achievements, as well as their dedication to service and leadership. Aleksandra Jevtic Aleksandra Jevtic steps onto Valpo’s campus with a rich tapestry of experiences. Hailing from Serbia, Aleksandra brings her expertise as a psychologist and Russian language professor, enriched further by her training in group analytic psychotherapy and systems psychodynamic organizational consulting. Her journey at Valpo will begin in the clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) program, a decision she describes with passion and clarity. "I chose Valpo because…
Blooming as a Beacon: Jazzy Soria-Gonzalez’s ’28 “Eventful” First Year
If you were to ask Jazzy Soria-Gonzalez ’28 to sum up her first year at Valparaiso University in one word, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear her respond with "eventful.” As a freestyle swimmer for the Valpo women’s swim team and a double major in Spanish and marketing, having an eventful first year of college was to be expected, even more so for Jazzy. The summer before freshman year, Jazzy participated in Valpo’s Bloom Scholars Program. Alongside four years of specialized programming, Bloom Scholars also have the opportunity to reside on campus during the summer and take part in a four-week intensive summer bridge program, which was Jazzy’s favorite part of the experience. For Jazzy, the Bloom Scholars Program was more than a way for her to earn a scholarship and four college credits. It was an opportunity to preview college life, and more significantly, the experiences she’d have as…
Noah Godsell ’24 Brings His Love For Valpo Athletics To WVUR-FM
How many of you watched a football game from the bleachers this season – or cheered on our Beacons from the student section at a basketball game? If you have, you probably recognize Noah Godsell ’24, who made it his personal mission to go to as many Valpo sporting events as possible since his freshman year. Between his general love for sports and serving as sports director for WVUR-FM, The Source – Valpo’s student-run radio station – it just makes sense. After all, Noah doesn’t view watching sports as just a pastime; to him, sports are an experience. For as long as Noah can remember, he gravitated toward sports and fan culture. “Even when I was little, I loved the atmosphere of sports. My parents could tell you – I used to throw a ball up in the air in the driveway and then chase it back down, making crowd…
A Calling Made Clear in the Capital
From her hometown of Lake Station, Indiana, to the halls of Valparaiso University, to the bustling streets of Washington D.C., Kayla Smith's ’24 journey is one of discovery, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her dreams. “I've always wanted to help people who are in need, so I thought criminal justice would be the perfect route. In high school, I decided to attend a course for criminal justice at the Hammond Area Career Center. After that experience, I knew that I wanted to pursue criminology because I wanted to dive deeper into why crime is being committed. When I was looking at colleges, I saw that Valpo had a criminology concentration which was a huge deciding factor in transferring to Valpo. Now, I’m a double major in psychology and sociology with a concentration in criminology,” she says. As a transfer student, Kayla navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with grace,…
Bias at the Plate: What Umpires Tell Us about Evaluators
Baseball season is underway at Valparaiso University — as well as MLB spring training sites in Florida and Arizona — and one professor has used his love of the sport, combined with his passion for data-driven research and economic theory, to investigate an issue faced by most athletic events: home-team bias. Mike Hsu, assistant professor of economics — and Los Angeles native and Dodgers fan — wanted to find out if umpires are really favoring the home team during games and, if so, whether or not the issue was resolved with experience. His paper, “Umpire Home Bias in Major League Baseball,” was published by the Journal of Sports Economics in December of 2023. Professor Hsu has been passionate about baseball since the 1990s and saw the game’s potential for research projects in academia. “Baseball is rich with data,” Professor Hsu says. “There’s a lot more things we can prove, and…
Valparaiso University Advocates for Community Health by Launching Master of Social Work Program
Valparaiso University has launched a Master of Social Work (MSW) program that will provide an ethical, inclusive, and diverse pool of professionals to schools, criminal justice programs, and other workplaces in the region and across the country. With the demand for social work professionals set to grow by 9% between 2021 and 2031, this program prepares students to enter a rapidly expanding field with immense potential for professional opportunities. “Faculty have wanted the MSW program for a long time, and I am excited we can now realize that dream for our students and community.” said Caroline Ban, MSW, program director and assistant professor in the Valparaiso University social work department. “The MSW will provide new opportunities that highlight Valpo's commitment to quality and integrity. Students will be challenged and supported as we prepare passionate leaders to serve and practice at the forefront of social change.” The MSW degree allows students…
Valparaiso University Professor Explores Education Through Gaming
Martin Buinicki, Ph.D., professor of English at Valparaiso University has been appointed the next Richard P. Baepler Distinguished Professor in the Humanities. The four-year professorship is a rotating appointment honoring exceptional teachers focused on advancing interdisciplinary and integrative study of the humanities in accord with Valparaiso University’s mission. Professor Buinicki’s term in the role will begin on Aug. 1, 2024. "Professor Buinicki is the ideal faculty member to hold the Baepler Chair, Eric Johnson ’87 Ph.D., provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said. “He is an outstanding scholar who strives to advance the interdisciplinary and integrative study of the humanities through collaboration across campus. Professor Buinicki’s work as the Chair will highlight the ways that the humanities’ strength in storytelling, critical reasoning, art and music are needed in today’s society both in work and play." Professor Buinicki’s work will center around integrating games with pedagogy, and the proposed…
Fall 2023 Edition of Valpo Magazine
Another edition of the Valpo Magazine is here, now in its all-new, digital format at valpomagazine.com. In this inaugural online edition, you will meet the newest head men’s basketball coach, Roger Powell Jr. and learn about his plans for bringing Valpo athletics into a new era. Alumni will share their life-changing experiences, from saving lives at the southern border to guarding our nation’s most hallowed landmarks. Our students and faculty will make international waves and put their exceptional drive and expertise towards an environmental issue facing us all. Please note that you will no longer receive a copy of the magazine in the mail. The switch to producing an online magazine is a big change, but one that comes with a lot of benefits and features that can’t be replicated in print. By publishing digitally, Valpo Magazine is able to remain up-to-date, sharing your exciting news and updates with your…
Gaming, Culture, and Industry: Preparing Students for an Imaginative Future
Valparaiso University is always looking for new ways to help students discover their passions and follow their dreams in a fast-evolving world, and few fields are evolving faster than the world of interactive entertainment media. In many ways, it's a race forward with new hardware and better graphics dominating much of the video gaming industry. In other ways, with groups gathering around the table with papers and dice, it’s a field harkening back to some of our oldest cultural traditions. “Games are a prominent way in which we tell stories in our culture,” says Martin Buinicki, Ph.D., professor of English. “And they are a major industry, so we’re preparing students to engage with the narratives all around them and for potential new lines of work.” Valpo recently added classes in video game narrative and roleplaying game writing, as well as the new game narrative and design minor, giving students the…
Interdepartmental Cooperation Finding New Ways to Fight Sickness
Superbugs, antibacterial-resistant microorganisms that develop to defy some of our best medicines, have found their way to the International Space Station (ISS), hitching rides on humans and supplies and finding an environment almost totally free of competition. To combat these illness-causing microbes, new, novel compounds will need to be derived or synthesized, and that’s where Valparaiso University researchers are pitching in. Faculty and student researchers from the biology and chemistry departments are working together to find new ways of keeping illness in check for people on and off-planet. “There are plenty of drugs already out there, but what happens is that you develop them, then in a couple of years you start detecting microbes that have developed a resistance to that drug,” says Jeffrey Pruet, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry. Pruet and Danielle Orozco-Nunnelly, Ph.D., associate professor of biology, have been awarded a $19,733 grant from the Indiana Space Grant…
Valparaiso University Awarded Grant to Improve Reading Instruction
Valparaiso University has been selected to receive a 3-year, $750,000 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to improve literacy instruction in Indiana. Lilly Endowment made the grant through its initiative, Advancing Science of Reading in Indiana (ASRI). The aim of the initiative is to enhance the use of evidence-based tools and methods to improve reading instruction for K-12 students in Indiana. This implementation grant follows a $75,000 planning grant awarded in January. “In the past three years, we have redesigned our elementary education program to align with Science of Reading and Evidence-based practices, so this new implementation grant is an extension of the great work we are already doing,” said Benjamin Boche, Ph.D., assistant professor of education at Valparaiso University. “We have also spent the past several years creating strong partnerships with local area schools to host our undergraduate pre-service teachers in their classrooms, and this new grant will continue this great work.”…
Four Valparaiso University Seniors, Alumni Named Fulbright Semifinalists
March 9, 2021 – Valparaiso, Indiana – The Fulbright U.S. Student Program has announced its semifinalists for the 2021–2022 academic year, and four Valpo students and recent alumni have advanced to this competitive stage in the grant process. Each semifinalist is hoping to teach English and engage in cross-cultural service and exchange in communities around the world. “It is exhilarating to see the perseverance and hard work of these exemplary Valpo students and alumni recognized by the Fulbright program,” said Eric W. Johnson ’87, Ph.D., interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Moving forward to the semifinalist round is an outstanding accomplishment, and I am confident these talented young scholars will continue to succeed in their academic and professional endeavors. These individuals embody the Valpo values of service and leadership.” The 2021 Valparaiso University Fulbright semifinalists are: Quincy Bullmer-Crosswhite ’20, Christ College scholar with majors in German and global…
Following Your Faith
For graduates like Emily Smith ’19, the combination of academic and spiritual growth she enjoyed at Valparaiso University and the Chapel of the Resurrection has led to a joyful and fulfilling career that combines her skills and passion. Emily now serves as sacristan and worship administrator at Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver, Colorado. As a sacristan, she oversees all baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Walking alongside families and individuals pursuing these Christian milestones is another rewarding part of her role. “I love my job!” Emily says. “I say it is the best because I get to work with people at the most holy parts of their Christian life. Baptisms, weddings, and funerals are all very important and influential, and I have the opportunity to work with people from the beginning to the end of their life.” When worship is held in person, Saint John’s Cathedral can serve nearly 600 people each…