News & Features
Transforming Ideas into Reality
Valpo’s College of Engineering brings together top tier educators who truly thrive when placed in a classroom setting. Flavia Mendonca, Ph.D., assistant professor of civil engineering, combines her passion for teaching and her expertise in the field of civil engineering, as the first female Latin American professor in the College. “My start in Valpo is interesting because I interviewed two separate times,” Professor Mendonca says. “The first time was when my husband got a job in Chicago and I started looking for a position in a small school environment then I found a visiting position, applied, interviewed and was offered the role, but then I got pregnant and Valpo was a one-hour commute from Chicago, so I had to refuse the offer. Luckily, the next year I applied again and got the offer and this time I accepted.” Professor Mendonca first taught at a small school in Virginia and found…
The Impact of WAVES on Valpo Students
At Valpo, our students are mentored to be tomorrow’s servant leaders and are encouraged to seek out opportunities that will allow them to make a real impact in the world. Through the College of Engineering, students are testing the skills that they learned in the classroom during service trips with Working Across Vocations Everywhere through Service (WAVES). Civil engineering major Allison Yohanan ’24 shares the value of these projects and the true difference they make in the communities that they work with after three project-based service trips and her latest scoping trip, a venture to scout out a potential location for the group’s newest project. “I would say these trips require the ability to learn and the ability to listen, especially with scoping trips. You need to listen to the people and not be overbearing,” says Allison. “A big thing from these WAVES trips is to listen and not force…
In the Business of Sustainability
James Nagel ’10, a Valparaiso University alumnus, majored in mechanical engineering with a minor in business administration, and he is now using his understanding of technology and business to support sustainable energy technology. He is the co-founder of HelioVolta — which performs analysis, assessments and support for solar energy projects — and SolarGrade, a software organization within HelioVolta that provides field workers with the tools to maximize efficiency and communication. Out of 140 competing organizations, his company won the U.S. Department of Energy’s Software Innovation Prize in 2022 in the renewable space, and was later awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the same department. Before any of that, however, James was a student in Bronxville, New York with some close ties to Northwest Indiana. “My parents met at Valpo, my grandfather was the dean of the Chapel for a while, so it was a big nudge from the…
Pushing Onward
Valpo’s College of Engineering is a place where students can expect to be mentored, challenged, and tested in order to reach their highest potential. Our faculty believes that each incoming student, regardless of their background, carries a different perspective and offers something valuable to the field of engineering. For Isoken Ogli ’23, the encouragement that she received from her teachers and Dean Doug Tougaw ’05 MBA played a vital role in shaping who she would be as a student and in the formation of her post-graduation career goals. “I’m an international student and people sometimes ask me ‘why did you choose Valpo, a small school in Indiana?’’ says Isoken. “I like to think that everything that happens in my life happens for a reason and falls into alignment for a reason and being at Valpo was a blessing. I don’t think I would have succeeded and been highlighted in the…
Wired for Success with Wireless Experiences
In the world of computer programming, the exclamation point means “not,” or “opposite.” So when Dan White, Ph.D., associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, and his colleagues founded the !WIRED Lab — or the Wireless Research and Electronic Discovery Lab — in 2014, they were really conveying that the program had a focus on wireless technology. Since its inception, the facility has been an invaluable source of hands-on opportunities for students looking to get into the field of electrical engineering. “The point of the lab is for students to work on projects,” Professor White explains. “We’ll have students working on larger projects like global networks, and then, since we have the resources, equipment and space, if students are interested in the things I’m interested in, they don’t have to work on the main projects. If they want to do something just on the side, I’ll support them. I’ll take…
Designing Change One Project at a Time
Valparaiso University’s College of Engineering is a place where students come in with an idea of what they want their future to look like, and our faculty help guide them until they have the resources to make that future a reality. Georges El-Howayek, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, is one of the faculty members who supervise and advise the senior design course that is a requirement for engineering students to graduate. This course was created in a way that provides students with real world experience and allows them to be placed in an environment that mimics the current industry standards without leaving campus. “One of the biggest objectives of this class is to give students a real-world experience,” Professor El-Howayek says. “We give them a problem and we give them a customer and it becomes their job to solve it. Even our office space is designed with an…
Valpo Engineering Alumni Recognized for Achievement
Two notable College of Engineering Alumni were honored at Homecoming 2023 for their career achievements since leaving their programs. Michael Steffen ’07, a double major in mechanical and electrical engineering was given the Outstanding Young Alumni award, while Ben Macy ’13, an electrical engineering major, earned the First Decade Achievement Award. These two embody the value of leadership that acts as a pillar of the University’s future development plan Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward. Michael was drawn to Valpo due to its identity as a small, Lutheran school where he would be able to make connections with his professors and classmates that may not have been possible at another institution. “I was really excited about that compared to the other engineering colleges, where I would just be a number,” Michael says. “Valpo felt different.” Growing up in a family of engineers, Michael was very familiar with the…
Engineered for Success: Creating a Classroom Beyond Four Walls
At Valpo, our faculty members have a true passion for teaching. Their dedication to providing our students with the most comprehensive education possible is unmatched, and their level of expertise in their respective fields is impressive. Jay Grossman, Ph.D., P.E., assistant professor of civil engineering, reflects on the path that led him to becoming a professor at Valpo’s College of Engineering and how his realized commitment to teaching allowed him to do what he loves every day. “I worked for a consulting firm right when I got out of school, and that was alright,” Professor Grossman said. “I liked the design side of things, but consulting was not exactly my cup of tea and what I enjoyed doing was teaching the new hires and bringing them up to speed.” Teaching was ultimately Professor Grossman’s true vocation, so he decided to go back to school and earn his Ph.D. He did…
College of Engineering Dean Takes on ASEE Presidency
Doug Tougaw ’05 MBA, Ph.D., P.E., dean of the Valparaiso University College of Engineering, has had a twenty-year long relationship with American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). During those decades, he has filled multiple leadership roles ranging from section chair for Illinois and Indiana, zone chair for the Midwest and Southeast, and vice president for finance. Now, in 2023, Dean Tougaw has taken the reins as the organization’s president. “It’s a heavy responsibility, but one that I’ve been preparing for the past 20 years,” Dean Tougaw says. “The goal is to find ways to strengthen the education that is offered to our young engineering professionals. It's to provide support to the faculty and staff who help to teach our engineering students.” ASEE is a nonprofit organization that encourages excellence in engineering education through policies and programs that enhance professional opportunities for professors, deans, and department chairs across the nation. Founded…
Valparaiso University Student Engineer Leads the Way for Student Opportunities
Feb. 10, 2020 – Valparaiso, Indiana – Hannah Nelson ’23, a Valparaiso University electrical engineering student and IPC chapter president, has been elected by her peers to serve a one-year term as the student member liaison for the IPC board of directors. She is the second student in the organization’s history to hold this position. “It feels unreal to be given the opportunity to represent all student chapters,” Nelson said. IPC is a global standards and trade organization dedicated to furthering the competitive excellence and financial success of its members in the electronics industry. Through the IPC Education Foundation, electrical engineering students gain access to industry scholarships, employment and professional training. As the student liaison for the board of directors, Nelson will play an active role in creating those opportunities for electrical engineering students across the nation, including her classmates at Valparaiso University. In her role, Nelson will sit on…
Engineering Your Own Path
When Theresa Green ’16, Ph.D., transferred to Valparaiso University to complete her bachelor’s in mechanical engineering, she never predicted the connections and future she would discover pursuing engineering education. Currently a postdoctoral fellow in engineering education at Utah State University, Theresa participated in a remote internship with the Smithsonian Science Education Center this past spring. Working alongside science curriculum experts and specialists, she worked specifically to help revise the engineering modules for grades one and two. “As I’ve been going through my graduate studies, I’ve been very interested in curriculum development specifically,” Theresa says. “I was curious about what it looks like in the K–12 setting.” Theresa’s interest in engineering education developed during college, and she had the chance to explore her curiosity at Valpo. Theresa connected with Ruth Wertz, Ph.D., P.E., assistant professor of general engineering, and pursued an opportunity to do research about the concept assessment tool for…
Fostering Community
In Valpo’s College of Engineering, students are encouraged to explore their professional interests and foster community through extracurricular involvement. Two student organizations — the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) — were recently established to serve as professional homes for historically underrepresented students within the College of Engineering. “I was drawn to the idea of joining a Black community where we all are working toward similar educational goals,” says Justine Dorsey ’24, a mechanical engineering major with a minor in Spanish. “The community has been very beneficial as a first-year student. Coming to Valpo, I didn’t know anyone, but I met friends through NSBE who are all engineering majors and are able to give me advice about the classes they have already taken.” NSBE at Valpo focuses on increasing awareness and interest in various engineering disciplines and careers among younger, underrepresented students.…
Student Organization Spotlight: Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) is one of the College of Engineering’s newest student organizations. In the short time the organization has been on campus, students have already begun to connect deeply with the mission of the group. Valpo’s SHPE chapter works to fulfill the goals of the national organization: change lives by empowering the Hispanic/LatinX community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness access, support, and development. At Valpo, that starts with members building each other up at every meeting, working to create a world where Latinos are highly valued and influential as leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. On campus, the group supports members in and out of the classroom. Biweekly study tables help members keep academics at the forefront, while professional development opportunities, on and off campus, build confidence and networking skills for the organization. Both SHPE President Monica…
Dedicated Lab Creates Home for Bioengineers
Beginning with construction in spring 2021, updates to the Donald V. Fites Engineering and Innovation Center will provide Valpo’s bioengineering students with a dedicated lab. This lab will be possible thanks to the generosity of James Guilbeau ’60. His vision is to provide bioengineering students with a state-of-the-art facility for educational laboratory experiences. Having a dedicated space will allow students to learn about a variety of bioengineering technologies within the confines of the engineering building, rather than its temporary location in Neils Science Center. “Bioengineering students will have a place to call their own in Fites, where they can really delve into the different paths offered by the three tracks in bioengineering: biomechanical, bioelectrical, or biomedical,” says Craig Goehler, Ph.D., associate professor of mechanical engineering and bioengineering. “Our hope is that with a dedicated bioengineering space, students will feel a greater sense of belonging within the College of Engineering, similar…
Three Valpo Students Named Tau Beta Pi Scholars
Tau Beta Pi, the world’s largest engineering honor society, has awarded more than 2,798 scholarships for their senior year of engineering study since the program was established in 1998. Three Valpo engineering students were named Tau Beta Pi Scholars for 2020–2021. “Valparaiso University’s three 2020–2021 Tau Beta Pi Scholars demonstrate the continuing excellence of the College of Engineering,” says Eric Johnson ’87, Ph.D., dean of the College of Engineering. “Their dedication to learning and success is a testament to their hard work and the support of Valpo’s programming and faculty. We are incredibly proud of their success, and we look forward to the world-changing work they will implement in their respective fields after graduation.” Jon Bayert ’21 is a computer engineering and mathematics major. Jon is thankful for the opportunities to pursue education, clubs, and research at Valpo, all of which contributed to putting what he is learning into action…
All News
Where Faith Meets Passion | Ashley Velasquez ’25 Finds Her Calling in Bioengineering
Since middle school, Ashley Velasquez ’25 has always planned on becoming a nurse. By sixteen years old, she was gaining experience as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), and finding a top-tier nursing program was at the top of her post-high school to-do list. Once she was finally kicking off her freshman year in Valpo’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, it was a small shock to discover that something was missing. “By the time I started at Valpo, I realized I really missed math and problem-solving. I was still fascinated by the human body and knew I wanted to stay in that field – and that I wanted to be working as directly with the human body as possible. I still wanted to have a direct impact on patients, just in a different way,” Ashley explains. It was a checklist item that could only be fulfilled on the other side…
Valpo Football’s Tyler Eberhart ’24, ’25 MBA, is a Beacon of Servant-Leadership
From the very beginning, fifth-year student-athlete Tyler Eberhart ’24, ’25 MBA, brought a big game from his Ohio hometown to Valpo’s campus. His natural calling to leadership has transcended both field and classroom, setting him on a path of servant-leadership that will leave its mark on Valpo’s football program for years to come. Tyler’s journey with football kicked off at just seven years old; at eleven, competing at the collegiate level as an offensive lineman was at the top of his to-do list. “Me and my dad would watch early signing day together and see where all the big commits were heading to school. We talked about it as a goal of mine,” Tyler reminisces. When the time for a college choice neared, the path ahead was illuminated. “I wanted Division I football mixed with a great mechanical engineering program. Valpo was the perfect fit.” By the beginning of his…
Electrical Engineer Kallie Lyon ’20 Discovers Her Path Forward
Very rarely does a person know who they are and who they want to be when they’re 18 years old. No matter the destination, the road to self-discovery often involves speed bumps and U-turns — a sentiment shared by many college students as they look to the future. It’s a journey that electrical engineer Kallie Lyon ’20 can relate to. When Kallie was younger, she dreamed of taking the stage as a famous singer — or crunching numbers as an actuary like her mom. By the time she was making her college choice, however, she wanted to explore majors in English and engineering. Although uncertain of the exact path she would take, she didn’t want to change the location of her studies. So, in choosing a college, the prospect of transferring was out of the question. “I didn’t know if I wanted to major in engineering or English. I didn’t…
Outcomes in Action: Daniel Owens ’23
When alumnus Daniel Owens ’23 thinks back to his childhood career dreams, there’s quite a few that come to mind: chef, movie star, musician, and professional soccer player (running not included). While Dan cultivated each of those passions during his time at Valpo — and has continued to do so every day since — it was environmental engineering that ultimately took residence on his undergraduate diploma. Out of so many interests, it’s easy to wonder “Why environmental engineering?” But the answer is wrapped simply in brown and gold. Following the many footsteps of generations of Valpo alumni, Dan has his sights set on a better, brighter world. His dedication to his work is grounded in both interest and skill, but also in the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. As an undergraduate student, that drive manifested in joining the Social Action Leadership Team (SALT) and…
Transforming Ideas into Reality
Valpo’s College of Engineering brings together top tier educators who truly thrive when placed in a classroom setting. Flavia Mendonca, Ph.D., assistant professor of civil engineering, combines her passion for teaching and her expertise in the field of civil engineering, as the first female Latin American professor in the College. “My start in Valpo is interesting because I interviewed two separate times,” Professor Mendonca says. “The first time was when my husband got a job in Chicago and I started looking for a position in a small school environment then I found a visiting position, applied, interviewed and was offered the role, but then I got pregnant and Valpo was a one-hour commute from Chicago, so I had to refuse the offer. Luckily, the next year I applied again and got the offer and this time I accepted.” Professor Mendonca first taught at a small school in Virginia and found…
The Impact of WAVES on Valpo Students
At Valpo, our students are mentored to be tomorrow’s servant leaders and are encouraged to seek out opportunities that will allow them to make a real impact in the world. Through the College of Engineering, students are testing the skills that they learned in the classroom during service trips with Working Across Vocations Everywhere through Service (WAVES). Civil engineering major Allison Yohanan ’24 shares the value of these projects and the true difference they make in the communities that they work with after three project-based service trips and her latest scoping trip, a venture to scout out a potential location for the group’s newest project. “I would say these trips require the ability to learn and the ability to listen, especially with scoping trips. You need to listen to the people and not be overbearing,” says Allison. “A big thing from these WAVES trips is to listen and not force…
In the Business of Sustainability
James Nagel ’10, a Valparaiso University alumnus, majored in mechanical engineering with a minor in business administration, and he is now using his understanding of technology and business to support sustainable energy technology. He is the co-founder of HelioVolta — which performs analysis, assessments and support for solar energy projects — and SolarGrade, a software organization within HelioVolta that provides field workers with the tools to maximize efficiency and communication. Out of 140 competing organizations, his company won the U.S. Department of Energy’s Software Innovation Prize in 2022 in the renewable space, and was later awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Grant from the same department. Before any of that, however, James was a student in Bronxville, New York with some close ties to Northwest Indiana. “My parents met at Valpo, my grandfather was the dean of the Chapel for a while, so it was a big nudge from the…
Pushing Onward
Valpo’s College of Engineering is a place where students can expect to be mentored, challenged, and tested in order to reach their highest potential. Our faculty believes that each incoming student, regardless of their background, carries a different perspective and offers something valuable to the field of engineering. For Isoken Ogli ’23, the encouragement that she received from her teachers and Dean Doug Tougaw ’05 MBA played a vital role in shaping who she would be as a student and in the formation of her post-graduation career goals. “I’m an international student and people sometimes ask me ‘why did you choose Valpo, a small school in Indiana?’’ says Isoken. “I like to think that everything that happens in my life happens for a reason and falls into alignment for a reason and being at Valpo was a blessing. I don’t think I would have succeeded and been highlighted in the…
Wired for Success with Wireless Experiences
In the world of computer programming, the exclamation point means “not,” or “opposite.” So when Dan White, Ph.D., associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, and his colleagues founded the !WIRED Lab — or the Wireless Research and Electronic Discovery Lab — in 2014, they were really conveying that the program had a focus on wireless technology. Since its inception, the facility has been an invaluable source of hands-on opportunities for students looking to get into the field of electrical engineering. “The point of the lab is for students to work on projects,” Professor White explains. “We’ll have students working on larger projects like global networks, and then, since we have the resources, equipment and space, if students are interested in the things I’m interested in, they don’t have to work on the main projects. If they want to do something just on the side, I’ll support them. I’ll take…
Valparaiso University Engineering Professor Nationally Recognized for Teaching Excellence
Dan White Ph.D., associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Valparaiso University has been named the recipient of the Michael V. Carano Teacher Excellence Award from the IPC Education Foundation. The annual, student-nominated award comes with a $1,000 cash prize and a one-year membership to IPC Edge, the institution’s online learning platform. This award also exemplifies Professor White's dedication to learning and thriving, two pillars of the Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward five-year strategic plan. “I appreciate the students putting in the nomination,” Professor White said. “I will find any opportunity to get them resources or opportunities for them to learn and do things that are an advantage to them. When they put that in the nomination text, it’s very satisfying to see that recognized.” In addition to teaching, Professor White operates the University’s Wireless Research and Electronic Discovery (!WIRED) Lab, which serves as a space…
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…
Designing Change One Project at a Time
Valparaiso University’s College of Engineering is a place where students come in with an idea of what they want their future to look like, and our faculty help guide them until they have the resources to make that future a reality. Georges El-Howayek, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, is one of the faculty members who supervise and advise the senior design course that is a requirement for engineering students to graduate. This course was created in a way that provides students with real world experience and allows them to be placed in an environment that mimics the current industry standards without leaving campus. “One of the biggest objectives of this class is to give students a real-world experience,” Professor El-Howayek says. “We give them a problem and we give them a customer and it becomes their job to solve it. Even our office space is designed with an…
Valpo Engineering Alumni Recognized for Achievement
Two notable College of Engineering Alumni were honored at Homecoming 2023 for their career achievements since leaving their programs. Michael Steffen ’07, a double major in mechanical and electrical engineering was given the Outstanding Young Alumni award, while Ben Macy ’13, an electrical engineering major, earned the First Decade Achievement Award. These two embody the value of leadership that acts as a pillar of the University’s future development plan Uplift Valpo: Our Beacon for the Journey Forward. Michael was drawn to Valpo due to its identity as a small, Lutheran school where he would be able to make connections with his professors and classmates that may not have been possible at another institution. “I was really excited about that compared to the other engineering colleges, where I would just be a number,” Michael says. “Valpo felt different.” Growing up in a family of engineers, Michael was very familiar with the…
Engineered for Success: Creating a Classroom Beyond Four Walls
At Valpo, our faculty members have a true passion for teaching. Their dedication to providing our students with the most comprehensive education possible is unmatched, and their level of expertise in their respective fields is impressive. Jay Grossman, Ph.D., P.E., assistant professor of civil engineering, reflects on the path that led him to becoming a professor at Valpo’s College of Engineering and how his realized commitment to teaching allowed him to do what he loves every day. “I worked for a consulting firm right when I got out of school, and that was alright,” Professor Grossman said. “I liked the design side of things, but consulting was not exactly my cup of tea and what I enjoyed doing was teaching the new hires and bringing them up to speed.” Teaching was ultimately Professor Grossman’s true vocation, so he decided to go back to school and earn his Ph.D. He did…
College of Engineering Dean Takes on ASEE Presidency
Doug Tougaw ’05 MBA, Ph.D., P.E., dean of the Valparaiso University College of Engineering, has had a twenty-year long relationship with American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). During those decades, he has filled multiple leadership roles ranging from section chair for Illinois and Indiana, zone chair for the Midwest and Southeast, and vice president for finance. Now, in 2023, Dean Tougaw has taken the reins as the organization’s president. “It’s a heavy responsibility, but one that I’ve been preparing for the past 20 years,” Dean Tougaw says. “The goal is to find ways to strengthen the education that is offered to our young engineering professionals. It's to provide support to the faculty and staff who help to teach our engineering students.” ASEE is a nonprofit organization that encourages excellence in engineering education through policies and programs that enhance professional opportunities for professors, deans, and department chairs across the nation. Founded…