In Memoriam
Roy A. Austensen (1942-2016)
In 1992, Professor Austensen began his career at Valpo, serving as the University’s first provost and vice president of Academic Affairs until 2009. Professor Austensen also served as acting chief financial officer from 1994-1996, acting president during the summer of 2002, and acting dean of the College of Business from 2011-2012. He held the position of professor history and taught courses on modern Europe, including Developments in Western Culture Through the Ages; Europe in the 19th Century; European Diplomacy in the 20th Century; and History and Literature of the Great War until he retired in May 2014 and was named senior research professor of history. In 2014, Professor Austensen received the Lumen Christi Medal, Valparaiso University’s highest award to recognize his efforts to strengthen Valpo’s academic programs. He also received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award in 2009.
To read Professor Austensen’s complete obituary, please click here.
Meredith William “Buzz” Berg (1937-2015)
Meredith William “Buzz” Berg, professor emeritus of history, passed away on May 30, 2015. In 1963, Professor Berg began his teaching career at Valparaiso University and, over the course of his forty-eight (48) year career, taught modern European and American History until his retirement in 2011.
Professor Berg’s obituary can be found here.
Alan Bloom (1964-2013)
Alan Bloom joined the faculty at Valparaiso University in 1997, where he taught American history classes as well as first-year humanities courses. Professor Bloom was the chair of the department of History and former chair of the Diversity Concerns Committee. In 2010, he received Valparaiso University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Award for his significant contributions to diversity within the University and the Valparaiso community. He served as the advisor for the University chapter of Habitat for Humanity for 10 years. He co-directed the University’s Summer Global Leadership Institute for high school students, and in summer 2013 initiated the Summer Smart, Summer Fun camp for children.
You can read Professor Bloom’s obituary here and learn about the Alan Bloom Legacy Fund here.
Gottfried G. Krodel (1931-2011)
The Reverend Doctor Gottfried G. Krodel arrived at Valparaiso University in 1965 and taught in the departments of history and theology for three decades. He held the Martin Luther Chair in Reformation History. Active as both teacher and scholar, he translated, edited, and annotated three volumes of Martin Luther’s correspondence, which were published in the American Edition of Luther’s Works.
Rev. Dr. Krodel’s complete obituary can be found here.