A Beacon’s Reflection | Savannah Gostlin ’25

Savannah Gostlin holding a Beta Gamma Sigma certificate

Looking back on my nontraditional college experience, I am nothing short of glad for it. Amid high school graduation, I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life, just that I wanted to be creative and help the Earth. I took a year off from school to work and started a sustainable […]

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Our Light is for Everyone

Sarah Rasing, M.Ed., smiling at the camera in professional attire.

At Valpo, we are proud to say our light is for everyone. But what does that mean in today’s cultural context? It means that as Beacons, we are called to reflect God’s light. Grounded in humility and compassion, we lead our communities through advocacy and service, helping to bring a brighter future for all into […]

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A Path of Discovery: Moved to Serve, Lead, and Explore

Campus in the fall

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 […]

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Natalya Reister ’25 Finds Spark, Confidence, and Community at Valpo

Valparaiso University student Natalya Reister '25 stands in front of Stonehenge.

When Natalya Reister ’25 visited Valparaiso University for the first time, it wasn’t the college visit she was expecting. It was the summer of 2020, during the height of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, requiring masks and limited access to campus buildings. But despite these limitations, something special still shone through. “The minute I set foot on […]

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Letting His Light Shine | Zach Stewart ’26 Finds Belonging at Valpo

Zach Stewart plays at Valpo Vibes

When Zach Stewart ’26 began exploring colleges, he knew what he didn’t want: large campuses that felt overwhelming, smaller schools that seemed closed off, and communities that didn’t seem welcoming. But at Valparaiso University, something stood out. The openness of the space, the warmth of the tour guides, and the unique opportunity to participate in […]

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Grounded in Empathy, We Radiate Leadership | The Story of Aly Kinzie ’19, ’20 MHCA

Valparaiso University alumna and Professor Aly Kinzie '19, '20 MHCA, smiling as she teaches a classroom of students.

Aly Kinzie’s ’19, ’20 MHCA, journey is one of growth, passion, and dedication — all illuminated by the light that Valpo nurtured within her. As a local student interested in healthcare-related programs, Valpo was always on Aly’s radar. The University’s reputation, paired with familial connections, made it an easy choice. But it was the sense […]

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A Way Station of Wonder, A Haven of Hope | The Chapel

Valparaiso University Chapel of the Resurrection.

Before coming to Valpo, the words “In Luce Tua Videmus Lucem” most likely would have been lost in translation – literally – for those of us who don’t speak Latin (so…most of us). Since coming to Valpo, however, you may now know those words to mean “In Thy Light We See Light.” For the curious among us, […]

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Where Faith Meets Passion | Ashley Velasquez ’25 Finds Her Calling in Bioengineering

Valparaiso University bionengineering student Ashley Velasquez '25 smiles in professional attire.

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 […]

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A Beacon’s Reflection | Yingxin (Grace) Zhang ’25

Valparaiso University business student Yingxin (Grace) Zhang ’25 stands in front of the Chapel of the Resurrection, smiling while holding up a medal.

When I first arrived in America, I was a forty-year-old college freshman, a military spouse, and an immigrant from Changchun, China. Adjusting to a new culture wasn’t easy. Not being able to work, I found purpose through volunteer work with the American Red Cross and a local church. Every day, I would ride my bike […]

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Valparaiso University Welcomes the Public to Spring Semester Performances

Students and faculty at Valparaiso University welcome members of the public to an exciting semester of performances, shows and concerts this spring. With a variety of events including jazz, Gospel, dance performances, music from blockbuster films, a baroque masterwork, and a musical theatre performance, there’s something for everyone at Valparaiso University. Performances are free unless […]

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