Valparaiso University Alumnus to Establish Emergency Scholarship Fund

The generosity of Valparaiso University alumnus Andrew Nunemaker ’91 will establish an endowed fund to assist students faced with emergency situations so severe that it threatens their Valpo academic careers. The Andy Nunemaker Emergency Scholarship Assistance Fund will provide flexible scholarship funds to be awarded in confidentiality, upon the review and approval of the president of Valparaiso University.

“Every year we have students who are faced with an emergency financial situation so serious that their ability to remain enrolled at Valpo is at risk,” said Mark A. Heckler, Ph.D., president of Valparaiso University. “We work with those students and their families, in strict confidence, attempting to provide the assistance necessary to prevent them from withdrawing from the University. Andy’s vision and commitment to address this critical need in perpetuity is a great demonstration of philanthropy and deeply appreciated by the entire University community.”

Nunemaker has committed $500,000 to the University to establish the endowment and support the Valpo Fund. When fully funded, the Nunemaker Endowed Scholarship will create a permanent, self-sustaining source of assistance for Valpo students faced with unexpected financial situations. Allocation of the funds would be confidential and awarded after review by the president’s office, upon the recommendation of the financial aid office.

“Without the support of scholarships, I never would have been able to attend Valpo and earn my bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering,” Nunemaker said. “I cannot imagine anything more heartbreaking to a student than being suddenly faced with an emergency financial situation so severe that they may have to give up their educational goals. My experience at Valpo was amazing, and I made this commitment to help future Valpo students overcome hardships and reap the benefit of the same amazing experience.”

Nunemaker earned his bachelor of science in electrical engineering in 1991. He is co-chair of Valpo’s upcoming campaign, currently in the leadership gift phase, and has served on the Valparaiso University Board of Directors since 2011. He served on the College of Engineering National Council from 2003 to 2011 and was speaker at the December 2012 Commencement. Nunemaker received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2006 and was named to the Top 150 Most Influential Valpo People in 2009.

Nunemaker resides in Milwaukee, Wis., and is CEO and partial owner of Dynamis Software Corporation, a health insurance software developer. From 2004 until 2010 Nunemaker was CEO and partial owner of EMSystems, a provider of technology-based business services for emergency health care providers. He is also a former CEO of medical imaging and information technologies service provider, GE Healthcare Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

After earning his undergraduate degree from Valpo, Nunemaker received a master’s of science in electrical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1993 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1998. He actively involved in philanthropic and civic activities in support of the arts in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wis., serving on the executive committee and as chair of the board of directors of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the board of directors of the Milwaukee Art Museum, and the executive board of directors of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.