A Crusader Family: Laura Becker ’15 Continues her Family’s Valpo Legacy

Laura Becker ’15, a communication major with a sociology minor, always knew she would one day call Valpo her home. Coming from a long legacy of family members who attended Valpo, brown and gold is in her blood.

“I took several trips to Valpo as a child to visit family members,” Laura says. “Every time I visited, I became more excited about the possibility of attending.”

Both of Laura’s parents, Michael and Sandy Dierberg ’83 Becker, attended Valpo as undergraduate students. Twenty-three years later, Laura’s older brother Jonathon ’10 followed in his parents’ footsteps to Valpo, where he met his wife, Lydia ’11.

“Valpo was a big part of my life even before I looked at colleges,” Laura says. “My family cares deeply about and is strongly connected to the University.”

When Laura made her first official visit to the University, she stayed with her then future sister-in-law, which solidified her decision to attend. “Visiting Lydia helped me understand that Valpo is not just a great school—it is a great community,” she says.

While she certainly had a plethora of familial role models to help her navigate the Valpo culture and experience, Laura made her time at Valpo her own. With a passion for leadership and service, Laura is involved in Kappa Delta sorority and serves as vice president of Bacchus Gamma, an organization that focuses on helping students make healthy decisions. In addition, Laura is the president of the Senior Programming Council.

“Being involved has been an integral part of my Valpo experience,” Laura says. “It has helped me become more active with the community and provided me with a great social circle.”

Along with getting involved and making lifelong friends, Laura’s time at Valpo has enabled her to discern her calling and purpose. With professors, course materials, and peers who emphasize vocation and service, Laura identified her passion quickly.

“I have learned a lot at Valpo, and one of the most valuable things I have learned is the importance of giving back,” Laura says. “I want to have a job where I can make a difference in the lives of other people.” Utilizing her communication and sociology degree, Laura hopes to find a position at a non-profit organization after she graduates.

“Laura is always willing to step up and take on important roles within her organization,” says Natalie Muskin-Press, staff advisor of Kappa Delta and Bacchus Gamma. “She has great self-awareness and takes direction easily, which are signs that she will be successful in the future.”

Building on her family’s legacy and tradition, Laura now sees the entire Valpo community as an extension of her family. “I often refer to Valpo as a family, and I think it is,” she says. “I really value being at a place that encourages a strong community.”