Vol. 23 No. 2, Spring 2007 - Valparaiso University

Vol. 23 No. 2, Spring 2007
ARCHIVE

ARCHIVE

ARCHIVE
—University Archivist Mel Doering ’53

Staff
Kathleen Zelkowitz
Director of Communications
800.833.6792, ext. 26
Susan Emery ’90
Associate Director, Communications
David Moulton ’02
Associate Director, Electronic
Communications
Joy Williams
Assistant Editor
Todd Earley
Graphic Design Director
Mel Doering ’53
Archives Editor
Contributing Writers
Lisa (Toleikis ’99) Miller
Britta Olson ’07
Ryan Wronkowicz ’05 M.A.
Tom Wyatt ’94
For Alumnotes address
changes and photo submissions:
valpo.magazine@valpo.edu
Office of Institutional Advancement
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493
Online
Read VALPO online at
valpo.edu/valpomag
Phone
800.833.6792, ext. 77
E-mail
valpo.magazine@valpo.edu
Fax
219.464.5467
VALPO is published three
times a year by the office of
communications in Valparaiso
University’s Office of Institutional
Advancement. The opinions
expressed do not
necessarily represent the opinions
of the editors or the official
policies of VU. We
welcome your comments.
University Contacts
General
219.464.5000
valpo.edu
Alumni Relations
800.833.6792
Institutional Advancement
800.803.7184
Undergraduate Admissions
888.GoValpo
Law School Admissions
888.825.7652
Athletics
219.464.5230
Book Center
219.464.5421
Campus Tours
Office of University Relations
219.464.5112
Career Center
219.464.5005
Continuing Education
219.464.5313
VUCA Box Office and
Event Information for
Art, Music, Theatre
219.464.5162
Brauer Museum of Art
219.464.5365
Christopher Center for Library
and Information Resources
219.464.5500
Perhaps you recall the axiom touted by grade school art teachers as fundamental to good design—“form
follows function.” VALPO’s cover story on the construction of a new campus
union provides a glimpse of the magnificent “form” that culminated from a long design
process that began with its primary “functions.”
Conceptual discussions began several years ago, when the union planning committee issued
a survey to students, faculty and staff querying as to what a new union needed to best enhance
the campus learning experience. After debate and decision making, the architects, Boston’s
Sasaki & Associates and the local firm Design Organization, were charged with designing a
building that would house, among other things, the growing number of student organizations,
a centralized space for communal dining, areas for entertainment and play, large and small
conferencing, and lounges to relax or hash-out the day’s lessons. Above all,
it would be a place to help build leadership, collaboration and social skills.
A member of the union planning committee, I have been fascinated as this design process unfolded.
The architects deftly guided our team through numerous meetings, options, budgetary
considerations and decisions; from how the union will complete the central core of campus, to
the best chair fabric for beauty and durability. Through myriad twists and turns of shaping a
facility that fully functions for campus, emerged a form that greatly will enhance the dynamic
people and processes it will contain. Like most creative endeavors, the finished
product does not fully reveal all that went into making it a reality. (For a case in point,
see the story on Dan Ablan ’89 on Page 24.)
This includes the fundraising to pay for it, as no tuition dollars will be used for the project.
Just as imperative as the designers and builders are the individuals with philanthropic hearts
who make it happen. The alumni and friends who give at all levels of ability, in essence saying,
“I believe in VU, what it did for me, and what it continues to do to help young people.”
For a clear example of the power of philanthropy, you need look no further than Page 8
and read about Richard ’51, ’53 J.D. and Phyllis (Buehner ’54) Duesenberg. Graduates and
decades-long supporters of Valparaiso University, the Duesenbergs have given their time
and funding “out of sheer appreciation for what Valpo means to us.” Their impact will reach
beyond just VU, as students touched by their generosity now travel the world as alumni,
better equipped for the challenges of adulthood.
ARCHIVE
We use the term “Our Valpo” to describe the familial nature of VU, a place that must be experienced
to be truly understood and appreciated. The new campus union will elevate
“Our Valpo,” and it will do so by intensifying, not forgetting, all that makes this place special.

Sections
Page 21
New College of
Arts and Sciences
Dean Jon Kilpinen
’88 discusses how
Valpo shaped his
life and career.
Page 24
News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Faculty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Alumni . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Alumnotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
On the cover ...
Construction began in November on a new 205,000square-foot
union, which is scheduled to open during
academic year 2008-’09. Stories on Pages 2 and 22.
Page 15
The VU Guild Christian Women’s
Conference will take place on
campus May 4-6, 2007.
Dan Ablan ’89 blends elements of
the real world with virtual environments
to create stunning images
and effects.
Page 10
A symposium led by Cristoph Wolff, director
of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, Germany,
(left), is among the highlights of the 2006-
’07 season of The Bach Institute at VU.
ARCHIVE
Pages 2 and 22
Architectural rendering of the Grand Lounge in the new
union that is under construction on campus.
Alumnotes wants your news! Please send news of marriages,
births, deaths, new jobs and promotions, academic and professional degrees, church and
community service activities, awards and achievements, and changes of address to: Joy
Williams, alumnotes editor, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493; e-mail address:
valpo.magazine@valpo.edu; fax: 219.464.5467. Include your e-mail address to make it easier
for classmates to contact you. Please note that Alumnotes also will be a part of VALPO’s
online version on the University’s Web site at valpo.edu/valpomag. Photos of alumni
gatherings, children of alumni and alumni weddings are welcome for the alumni Web site.
E-mail photos to alumni@valpo.edu, and include names—including maiden names and
class years—of people who are in the photographs.
1

2
Following an extensive planning
process, Valparaiso University’s
Board of Directors has made it official:
a new union is coming to campus.
The board this past fall authorized the
construction, with a total project cost
of nearly $74 million. (See feature story
on Page 22.) The university already has
received many gifts from alumni and
friends toward the project, and fundraising
remains strong in order to bridge
a $13 million gap in funding.
At 205,000-square-feet, the new facility
is more than three times the size of the
current union, which was built in 1955
for a population half the size of today’s
student body of 3,900.
Construction began in November, with
the building scheduled to open during
academic year 2008-’09, the 150th
anniversary of the university. It is being
situated on the site formerly occupied
OUR VALPO
VU Board Approves Construction of New Campus Union
“With this addition, the center of campus now provides
important facilities for the arts, and the social, spiritual
and academic components of life at the university.”
by Moellering Library. (See map on
cover overleaf.)
—Alan Harre, VU president
“Construction of the Center for the Arts
set a new standard for the quality of
campus facilities,” says Valpo President
Alan Harre. “We raised the bar with the
construction of the Christopher Center,
and we’re raising it again with the new
union.
“With this addition, the center of campus
now provides important facilities for
the arts (VU Center for the Arts), and
the social (union), spiritual (chapel) and
academic (Christopher Center) components
of life at the university.”
Design architect is Sasaki Associates
Inc., a Boston-based firm that is a
leading designer of college facilities.
Design Organization Inc. of Valparaiso,
which has helped design other facilities
at VU, is the architect of record.
Architectural rendering of
Founders Table, the main
dining area in the union.
“The new building will greatly enhance
the sense of community on campus,”
says President Harre. “We are grateful
for the leadership of the university’s
board of directors and the generous
financial support of the donors who are
making this dream a reality.”
Read more about the new
union on Page 22. View
drawings at valpo.edu/givetovu.
ARCHIVE
Valpo recently was named to the
President’s Higher Education
Community Service Honor Roll. In
2005-’06, 39 student organizations
and athletic teams performed
48,018 hours of community service
and raised $107,502 for
philanthropic activities.

Check out valpo.edu/valpomag
for the following Web exclusive content.
Wherever you see this icon in
a VALPO article, additional
content can be found online.
Podcasts
• Listen to the ceremony to bless the
new Valparaiso University Union.
• Hear excerpts from Ron Rittgers’
inaugural lecture at Valpo. Rittgers
began serving July 1, 2006, as VU’s
first Erich Markel
Chair in German
Reformation
Studies.
One of the foremost authorities on the role of
religion in the contemporary world visited
Valparaiso University in February to deliver
the 2007 Albert G. Huegli Lecture on
Church-Related Higher Education.
Father Richard John Neuhaus is president
of The Institute on Religion and Public Life,
a nonpartisan interreligious research and
education institute in New York City.
At Valpo, Neuhaus spoke on “The Church’s
Heart for Learning.” Prior to the lecture, he
conducted a morning mass at St. Teresa of
Avila Catholic Student Center and met with
• Listen to the Albert G. Huegli
Lecture on Church-Related
Higher Education titled “The
Church's Heart for Learning”
given by Father Richard
John Neuhaus.
Video/Slide Show
• View photos from this year’s Mid-
Continent Conference Tournament,
March 3-6, in Tulsa, Okla.
• View a PowerPoint presentation on
“How Advances in Science are
Made,” by Douglas Osheroff,
professor of physics at Stanford
University and recipient of the
Nobel Prize in Physics in 1996, who
spoke on campus this past fall.
Religious Scholar Neuhaus Speaks on Campus
Lutheran and Roman Catholic students,
faculty, staff and local church leaders for a
breakfast discussion on the theme “State of
the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Conversation.”
Neuhaus was ordained as a Lutheran minister
and served 17 years as pastor of an African-
American congregation in Brooklyn. He
converted to Catholicism and was ordained
as a priest in 1991, and has played a leading
role in organizations dealing with civil rights,
international justice and ecumenism.
Listen to a podcast of Neuhaus’
lecture at valpo.edu/valpomag.
Read More
• Emily Watkins ’05
had a secret. During
her four years at
Valpo, no one knew she was classically
trained in both piano and violin.
• Farrah Malik ’04
recently helped
promote
Concertino for
Cellular Phones
and Symphony
Orchestra conducted by Maestro
Paul Freeman and performed by
the Chicago DinFonietta orchestra.
• The second Association of Lutheran
Older Adults Lutherhostel—
themed “The Role of Story”—
will be held July 9-13 at VU.
ARCHIVE
Father Richard John Neuhaus
3
Aran Kessler

4
VU Center For Church Vocations
Expands Programming
Valparaiso University’s Center for
Church Vocations is expanding its
programming and further integrating
with other programs at the university,
thanks to recent gifts of $3.1 million
from multiple donors.
The center is designed to support
students in faith formation, vocational
discernment, and development of
professional identity and a sense of
community with the body of Christ.
The gifts will fund a new full-time
director for the center (see sidebar),
support additional academic courses,
and expose students to new career
opportunities in church work.
“The center has made an important
contribution to preparing students for
church vocations for more than three
decades, and these gifts will allow us to
greatly enrich that student experience,”
says Valpo president Alan Harre.
With the popularity of its symposiums
and retreats, the center has grown
dramatically in size and scope, from
approximately 35 students in 1995, to
more than 130 in 2006.
“Church Vocations has challenged
and supported me theologically,
spiritually and emotionally,” says VU
senior Linda Davis. “Because of this
program I feel better equipped to
enter into a new level of service, both
personally and professionally.”
The gifts will help strengthen the
center’s ties with programs provided
through VU’s Chapel of the
Resurrection and the department of
theology, and with the Lutheran
Deaconess Association. Renewed
relationships are envisioned with
seminaries, graduate schools, mission
organizations and church
organizations as well as local
congregations.
Above: Renee Schoer, director of
the Center for Church Vocations,
with some of the students who
participate in the center.
Lisa Schreiber, Post-Tribune
Schoer, New Director,
Church Vocations
A scholar of Christian education with a
long history of educational ministry and
service to the church has been named
director of Valparaiso University’s Center
for Church Vocations.
Renee Schoer will serve as director of the
center and associate professor of theology.
Schoer has nearly 20 years experience in a
variety of lay roles at churches throughout
the country. She has worked as a director
of lay ministry, minister of education and
minister of youth and education at
churches in Massachusetts, Texas,
Washington and Michigan.
Schoer earned her Ph.D. degree in
theology and education at Boston
College’s Institute of Religious Education
and Pastoral Ministry; a master of religious
education degree from Southern
Methodist University; and a bachelor’s
degree in elementary education and
director of Christian education certification
from Concordia University in Seward, Neb.
Her areas of expertise include
contemporary approaches to Christian
education, the philosophy and history of
Christian education, ministry of the laity,
fostering faith across the life span,
leadership and parish administration, and
Christian spirituality and formation.
ARCHIVE

Christopher Center Featured
in The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal in October cited Valparaiso University’s
Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources as
among several university libraries best able to meet the needs
of today’s students.
The article appeared in the journal’s
October 21, 2006, issue. Written by
Christopher Conkey, and headlined
“Libraries Beckon, But Stacks of Books
Aren’t Part of Pitch—Valparaiso’s New
Building Has PCs, a Cafe, a Steinway,”
the article describes how “quiet’s not the
thing” when it comes to the campus
library of today.
The Christopher Center, with its cafe,
bustling technology center, cozy alcoves
with gas fireplaces, and wireless Internet
access throughout the building—just to
name a few amenities—has won numerous
awards since it opened in
September 2004.
“We looked at the way students work
today,” Richard AmRhein, dean of
library services at VU, told The Wall
Street Journal. “They sit in comfortable
chairs with their latte in their hand,
and they’re instant messaging with their
friends at the same time as they’re
studying or doing research.”
In the first year it opened, student traffic
in the Christopher Center was 433
percent higher than that in the former
Moellering Library.
“Striking the right balance between
attracting students and preserving core
Jon Hendricks
library functions is a subject of continuing debate among
librarians,” the article concludes. “But there is agreement on
one point: Libraries must stay flexible. Valparaiso, like several
others, uses raised floors and movable furniture so the library
can keep adapting. ‘We planned on not knowing what the
trend will be 15 years from now,’ AmRhein said.”
The entire article may be purchased from
The Wall Street Journal at wsj.com.
Chair in German Reformation
Studies Presents Inaugural Lecture Aran Kessler
Ronald K. Rittgers, a distinguished scholar of
the Reformation, recently joined the
Valparaiso University faculty as the first
professor to hold the Erich Markel Chair in
German Reformation Studies.
Since joining Valpo’s faculty on July 1, 2006,
he has been researching a new book titled
“The Reformation of Suffering: A Study of
Pastoral Theology and Lay Piety in Early
Modern Germany and Switzerland.” His
recent book, “The Reformation of the Keys:
Confession, Conscience and Authority in
Sixteenth-Century Germany,” was nominated
for the American Society of Church History’s
prestigious Philip Schaff Prize in 2005.
ARCHIVE
Rittgers presented his inaugural lecture at
Valpo last fall. Titled “Holy History, Dark
History: The Past and Future of German
Reformation Studies,” the lecture was part of
Christ College’s fall 2006 symposium series.
Listen to a 10-minute excerpt
from Rittgers’ lecture at
valpo.edu/valpomag.
5

6
International Alumni
Reunite in Malaysia,
Thailand
Thousands of miles away, and more than
a decade since he graduated from Valparaiso
University, Amir Jamaluddin ’93 still vividly
recalls his student days.
“Valpo provided me with the opportunity to Amir Jamaluddin ’93
immerse myself in the American culture and
other international cultures,” says the Malaysian resident, who
majored in mechanical engineering while at Valpo. “I’ve fostered
lifelong friendships with professors and fellow students.”
Jamaluddin was able to reunite with some of his VU classmates
this past fall, thanks to alumni reunion dinners in Malaysia and
Thailand hosted by the university. It marked the second time
Valpo has hosted these types of events for international
alumni—in September 2004, alumni living in the Middle East
met for a reunion in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“These events are a good chance to network with alumni living
in the region and engage them in conversation about Valpo,
because our alumni are our most effective spokespersons for
recruiting students,” says Hugh McGuigan, director of
international studies at VU.
Bimler ’63 Joins Valpo as Church-Related Ambassador
A distinguished Lutheran church leader,
speaker and author has been named Valparaiso
University Ambassador celebrating
the Lutheran community.
Richard Bimler ’63, former president of
Wheat Ridge Ministries, an independent
Lutheran charity in Itasca, Ill., will engage
Valpo alumni and friends in conversations
about the university’s mission, Lutheran
character and church worker preparation.
In doing so, he will be networking with professional
Lutheran church workers, congregations,
schools and organizations in the
Chicago area.
In the part-time position, Bimler also is
facilitating a series of focus group sessions
throughout the country with Valpo alumni
and friends.
“Richard is a remarkable individual who has
a marvelous network within the Lutheran
community,” says Bill Karpenko ’61, director
of church relations at Valpo. “His alma
mater is privileged to have him serving in
this way.”
Bimler recently retired from Wheat Ridge
Ministries, after serving as president for
more than 15 years. He spent much of his
professional life with The Lutheran Church-
Missouri Synod in a variety of capacities. He
has written numerous books, articles and
educational materials dealing with youth
ministry, as well as humor, team ministry and
Valpo international alumni Nik Mohd Jalaluddin Bin Nik Him
’94 (left), and Errol Tajudin ’96 visit with a prospective
student at a college fair in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Indeed, the reunion dinners were part of an international student
recruiting trip by Holly Singh ’98, ’05 M.A.L.S., VU
assistant director of international studies. Singh’s three-week
trip included visits to Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta,
Singapore, Penang and Bangkok.
“The college fairs were quite busy, and it was helpful to have
alumni talk to prospective students in their native language,”
Singh says. “The alumni all were thankful to Valpo for making
their college and American experience so memorable.”
If you live overseas and wish to have a Valpo alumni
reunion in your area, send an e-mail to Hugh McGuigan
at hugh.mcguigan@valpo.edu.
ARCHIVE
Richard Bimler ’63
Photo Provided
family life. He and his wife, Hazel
(Reichmann ’62), have three grown children
and seven grandchildren.
Photos: Provided

Valparaiso University’s College of Business Administration, for the third consecutive
year, has been named one of the nation’s outstanding business schools in the
Princeton Review’s 2007 edition of the “The Best 282 Business Schools.”
Harre Honored for Leadership
The Council for Advancement and Support
of Education District V recently
presented Valparaiso University President
Alan Harre with its chief executive
leadership award.
District V includes colleges and universities
in a six-state Great Lakes region.
The annual award is presented to chief
executives who articulate a compelling
vision, increase the stature of their institution
locally, encourage innovation and
risk-taking, and actively support all
aspects of institutional advancement.
President of Valpo since 1988, Harre has
used shared governance and collaboration
to renew commitment to the university’s
mission; created a strategic plan
that is reviewed annually; and developed
a campus master plan.
He is a co-founder of Rebuilding
Together, formerly known as Christmas
in April, and has been recognized by the
Greater Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce
with its distinguished community
leader award.
During Harre’s tenure, Valpo has
experienced a fourfold growth in its
endowment, while annual financial
support has grown fivefold.
His leadership in three
capital campaigns has
enabled the construction
of five new
facilities, with a new
union to be completed
by 2009.
Photo Provided
Douglas Osheroff (left)
accepts the 1996 Nobel
Prize in physics. Osheroff
spoke at Valpo this past fall.
Nobel Winner
Discusses Advances
in Science
The winner of the 1996 Nobel Prize
in physics visited campus this past
fall to deliver lectures on advances
in science and ultra-low
temperature physics.
Douglas Osheroff, a professor of
physics at Stanford University, won
the Nobel Prize for his
groundbreaking work in lowtemperature
physics. At Valpo, he
presented a lecture titled “How
Advances in Science Are Made” as
part of the Kress Lecture Series
sponsored by VU’s department of
physics and astronomy. He also
presented “So, What Really
Happens at Absolute Zero?” to
students at the physics and
astronomy colloquium.
ARCHIVE
The Kress Lecture Series is made
possible by a gift from Kenneth A.
Kress, who earned a degree in
physics and math from Valpo in
1964. Osheroff is the sixth speaker
in the lecture series, which began
in 2002.
View Osheroff’s Power-
Point presentation on
“How Advances in Science are
Made” at valpo.edu/valpomag.
7
Photo Provided

8
Valpo Philanthropists:
A Conversation With the Duesenbergs
Since graduating from Valparaiso University, Richard ’51, ’53 J.D. and Phyllis
(Buehner ’54) Duesenberg of St. Louis have dedicated significant time and funds
to help Valpo advance. The couple has, among other things, chaired a campaign;
established endowed scholarships and faculty chairs; and made leadership gifts
to such projects as the VU Center for the Arts, the Kade-Duesenberg German
House and Cultural Center, and The Bach Institute at VU.
Richard, retired senior vice president, general counsel and secretary for
Monsanto Co., recently stepped down from Valpo’s Board of Directors
after 30 years of service. VALPO magazine took the opportunity to
visit with this couple who exemplify philanthropy in action.
VALPO: What are some of your most
memorable experiences at Valpo?
Dick: VU is where Phyllis and I met,
and that was a life-changing occurrence.
Phyllis: It was in the fall of 1951. I was a
sophomore studying French and philosophy,
and Dick was in his second year
in the law school.
VALPO: So your interest in Valpo
began to take shape then?
Dick: Not consciously. Attending performances
of Handel’s Messiah or Bach’s
St. Matthew Passion in Rockefeller
Chapel at the University of Chicago are
among the fondest recollections of our
student days. Valpo’s organist, a German
named Heinrich Fleischer, was organist
for these programs.
Phyllis: At that time, Valpo did not have
a first-rate performing arts facility, and
its art collection was scattered around
the campus.
VALPO: Did you envision one day you
would change that?
Dick: Not at all. Even our most
ambitious dreams never hinted at what
opportunities would unfold. But in
August of 1953, from Camp Chaffee in
Arkansas, I wrote Phyllis, then my betrothed,
that ‘out of sheer appreciation
for what Valpo means to us, we’ll have
to return a great deal.’
Phyllis: Valpo’s many benefactors made
possible our time on campus. What we
have been doing is in part in appreciation
for that generosity.
VALPO: Give us some examples of
how your ideas for Valpo ultimately
played out.
the Way campaign in the early ’90s and
has a state-of-the-art theatre and a
recital hall that is acoustically perfect.
VALPO: Do you have a specific
philosophy of giving?
Dick: Yes, indeed. Our benefaction is
goal driven.
Phyllis: In Valpo’s case, it is designed to
emphasize its uniqueness, especially its
Lutheran heritage and tradition. Valpo
has never forsaken this rich background,
and we hope it never will. We want
Valpo to build on that past, and not to
succumb to the secularization trend that
has marked so many universities.
VALPO: Is it that philosophy that led
you to endow The Bach Institute?
Phyllis: It is. Our joint love for the
music of Bach led us to propose endowing
The Bach Institute. Even in our
student days, Bach held a special place
in the cultural life of the university. But
limited resources constricted what could
be done. Our first major step to change
this was to endow a chair in Lutheran
music, now held by Christopher Cock,
who has sung with some of the world’s
most eminent conductors.
Phyllis: Art and art history are passions Dick: Those who heard the institute’s
of mine. So when the VU Center for inaugural performance in 2004 of Bach’s
the Arts was under construction, I
discussed with Dick how we
Mass in B Minor, directed by German
might augment Valpo’s
collection. I searched for and “Even our most ambitious dreams never hinted
acquired works for the Brauer at what opportunities would unfold. But in
Museum by Frederick
Kensett, Asher B. Durand,
Alfred Bricher, William
August of 1953, from Camp Chaffee in
Arkansas, I wrote Phyllis, then my betrothed,
Trost Richards and George
Ames Aldridge.
that ‘out of sheer appreciation for what Valpo
means to us, we’ll have to return a great deal.’”
Dick: However, the Center for
the Arts is not only for paintings.
This building was the
centerpiece of the Lighting
—Richard Duesenberg ’51, ’53 J.D.
ARCHIVE

The Princeton Review ranks Valpo’s School of Law high in academic quality in its
2007 edition of “The Best 170 Law Schools.” Valpo Law also received top marks for
its externship and clerkship opportunities, research resources, quality of faculty and
student life, extensive legal writing and research program and clinical program.
scholar and conductor Helmuth Rilling,
concur that this was one of Valpo’s finest
hours.
VALPO: So VU’s Lutheran higher education
mission motivated you to support
other projects as well?
Dick: Absolutely. Dr. Gil Meilaender,
an internationally known ethicist who
most recently was on President Bush’s
Council on Bioethics, holds the Chair
in Christian Ethics. Occupying the
Chair in Christianity and the Arts is
Dr. David Morgan, a world-renowned
scholar on the visual arts in religion.
Both of these chairs reflect our view,
and we think Valpo’s, too, that teaching
moral philosophy is important to a
complete education.
Phyllis: It is also why we brought to
Valpo two great choirs from Dresden,
Germany: the Kreuzchor and the
Koernerscher Sing-Verein, in 1999
and 2001.
VALPO: What can you tell us about the
Kade-Duesenberg House?
Dick: Max Kade was a German who
came to this country at the beginning of
the 20th century, bringing with him the
formula for manufacturing Pertussin.
After World War II, he sold his company
and created the Max Kade Foundation,
which still exists in New York. Its focus
has been to improve German-American
relations, and to this end it establishes
facilities, each called the Max Kade
House, on select American college campuses
for the study of German language
and history. After Mr. Kade passed on,
Dr. Erich Markel became head of the
foundation. His family and ours were
close friends, and we often discussed
Valpo, its German heritage and its
possible site for a Max Kade House.
Richard ’51, ’53 J.D. and Phyllis (Buehner ’54) Duesenberg
VALPO: There is an Erich Markel
Chair in German History at VU. I take
it this is the same person?
Phyllis: It is. The Max Kade Foundation
endowed the chair, which is now held
by Dr. Ronald Rittgers, an eminent
Reformation scholar who came to Valpo
from Yale in July of 2006.
VALPO: What are some other areas of
your involvement with Valpo and why?
Phyllis: We established a scholarship
fund years ago in appreciation for the
assistance we received from the
university when we were students. Most
recently, we provided funds for the
purchase of two French-made oboes
d’amore, important for Bach works, and
a Dutch-made positiv organ. An
endowed scholarship fund for the
nursing college and an endowed Chair
in Christianity and the Healing Arts
were both established by the Lutheran
Charities Association when Dick was on
its board.
Dick: There also is the annual tort
reform lecture in the law school, which
was endowed 15 years ago by the
company for which I was general
counsel.
ARCHIVE
VALPO: Now that you have retired
from the board, what are your plans?
Dick: You mean as to VU? Put it this
way: we don’t plan to fade away.
Phyllis: We still have a way to go before
our chair in the law school is fully
funded, even though Rosalie Levinson
currently occupies it. What else . . .
Dick: There are some thoughts brewing,
but they’ll have to gestate a while.
9
Kristen Peterson

10
St. John Passion Highlights Bach Institute 2006-’07 Season
A performance of Johann Sebastian
Bach’s St. John Passion in January was a
highlight of the 2006-’07 season of The
Bach Institute at Valparaiso University.
The VU Bach Choir, Chorale and
Symphony Orchestra performed the
Passion, one of Bach’s monumental
works, Jan. 13 in the Chapel of the
Resurrection. It tells the story of Jesus’
suffering and death as recorded in the
Gospel of John.
Craig Jessop, conductor and music
director for the Mormon Tabernacle
Choir, was guest conductor for the
concert. Christopher Cock, director of
The Bach Institute at Valpo and a solo
artist whose performances of Bach
works have received critical acclaim,
appeared as the Evangelist.
Also taking place in January was “Bach’s
Final Word: The St. John Passion in
1749,” a symposium led by Cristoph
Wolff, director of the Bach Archive in
Leipzig, Germany.
A Cantata Vespers performance of “Du
wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn” by the
VU Bach Choir is scheduled for 5 p.m.
April 1 in the Chapel of the
Resurrection.
Many Valparaiso University alumni fondly
recall the Indiana Dunes as a place where
they enjoyed the beauty of nature while
taking a break from studying.
This past fall, they had the chance to relive
the experience, albeit in a slightly different
way. More than 7,500 people attended the
The Bach Institute was founded in 2003
with a gift from Richard ’51, ’53 J.D.
and Phyllis (Buehner ’54) Duesenberg
and is dedicated to the study and
performance of Bach and his music.
Last year, the institute launched the
Midwest premiere of “Alles mit Gott
und nichts mit ohn’ ihn,” an aria by
Bach that had been lost for nearly 300
years until its rediscovery in 2005.
For more information,
visit valpo.edu/bach.
From left: Christopher Cock, director of The Bach Institute at Valpo; Cristoph Wolff,
director of The Bach Archive in Leipzig, Germany; and Craig Jessop, conductor and
music director for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, review materials during a
sumposium on “Bach’s Final Word: The St. John Passion in 1749.”
ARCHIVE
Dudley Exhibition a ‘Blockbuster’
Brauer Museum of Art at VU’s exhibition of
“The Indiana Dunes Revealed: The Art of
Frank V. Dudley (1868-1957).”
“It was a number that exceeded my expectations.
I would consider the show a blockbuster,”
says Gregg Hertzlieb, director/
curator of the Brauer Museum of Art.
The exhibit included more than 70 paintings
spanning four decades. It was the largestever
exhibition of the art of Dudley, whose
early 20th century landscape paintings
focused on the Indiana Dunes and helped to
preserve the area for future generations.
During the exhibition’s nearly four-month run,
the museum conducted 98 tours for Valpo
students, high school and elementary school
students and adult groups.
Jon Hendricks

Caterpillar Awards
VU $1 Million Grant
The Caterpillar Foundation has awarded
a $1 million grant to Valparaiso University
to enhance the educational experience
of students in the College of
Engineering.
If Valpo alumni and parents who work
for, or have retired from, Caterpillar can
match the $1 million, the foundation
will provide an additional $1 million
to VU.
Engineering Dean Kraig Olejniczak ’87
said the grant will fund a variety of
initiatives in the college, including an
interdisciplinary senior design laboratory
and a heat power engine laboratory.
“Caterpillar is a significant partner
in Valparaiso University’s academic
endeavors,” Olejniczak said. “The
foundation previously has provided
support for equipment, student
scholarships and other purposes,
including the Caterpillar Award for
Teaching Excellence, which is awarded
Caterpillar’s mini-hydraulic excavator was on campus this past fall as part of an effort
to recruit both Valpo engineering students and Caterpillar employees.
annually to an outstanding member of
the VU faculty.
“Caterpillar representatives participate
each year in the university’s Career Fair
and, this past year, took part in the inaugural
Engineering Career Day. We
also are continually grateful for the support
and contributions of Valpo alumnus
Don Fites ’56, ’98 LL.D., retired
chairman of Caterpillar Inc. and a
member of the university’s board
of directors.”
“Through this exhibition and book [a catalog of
Dudley’s life and art], the museum chronicled
the achievements of a key figure in regional
history,” Hertzlieb says. “People throughout
the country have become more aware of
Dudley as an artist, Valparaiso University as a
fine institution, and the Brauer as a museum
that mounts significant exhibitions.”
To purchase a copy of the catalog,
visit valpo.edu/valpomag.
Maryann Morrison, Caterpillar Foundation
administrator, said Caterpillar
benefits from a well-educated
workforce.
“Valparaiso University graduates have
played important roles in the progress of
Caterpillar, and we are pleased to continue
our association with the university
through this gift,” she said.
Visit valpo.edu/alumni/engineering
to view more photos of Caterpillar’s
mini-hydraulic excavator.
ARCHIVE
Congratulations to the winner
of VALPO Magazine’s Dudley
Poster Contest:
Todd Neawedde ’98
He received a limited-edition
poster/print of Frank V. Dudley’s
painting “The Wind’s in the North.”
11
Jon Hendricks

12
VU Astronomy Program Expands to National Observatory Aran Kessler
Valparaiso University’s astronomy
students and professors will have
more opportunities for research now
that the university has joined the Southeastern
Association for Research in
Astronomy.
The consortium, consisting of Valparaiso
and nine other universities, operates a
36-inch telescope at Kitt Peak National
Observatory near Tucson, Ariz., one of
the premier astronomical observing sites
in the United States. The consortium is
planning to acquire and begin operating
a second telescope in Chile within the
next two years, which will allow professors
and students to make regular observations
in the Southern Hemisphere for
the first time.
“By joining SARA, we have guaranteed
observing time and more opportunities
to pursue long-term research projects,”
says Todd Hillwig, assistant professor of
physics and astronomy at VU. “The
access to the Southern Hemisphere is
particularly attractive since those stars
can’t be observed from our observatory
on campus. The use of larger telescopes
also will permit the study of fainter
objects.”
ARCHIVE
Valpo students will not need to leave
campus to conduct research. SARA’s
telescope at Kitt Peak is remotely controlled
via the Internet, and the Chile
observatory will be as well.
For more information, visit
saraobservatory.org.
Adam Block
Above: Valpo sophomore Erin Lueck
and Assistant Professor of Physics and
Astronomy Todd Hillwig view images
from the SARA telescope.
Inset: Optical image of dust, gas and
hot stars from the SARA telescope.

New Legislation
Benefits Older
Alumni and Friends
In 2006, President George W. Bush
signed legislation that allows Valparaiso
University alumni and friends age 70
1/2 or older to support the mission of
Valpo in a new way.
Alumni and friends who are, or will,
turn 70 1/2 before Dec. 31, 2007, may
use their IRA assets to impact the future
of Valpo in a simple, direct manner.
Through a direct transfer of IRA assets
to Valpo (up to $100,000 each year),
they will be able to fulfill their
minimum required distribution as well
as avoid declaring the distribution as
income as is ordinarily required.
The funds may be used to fulfill a
pledge, create a scholarship or other endowed
fund, or support other university
projects, such as the construction of the
new union or the athletics department’s
FITT initiative.
The opportunity to roll over these funds
tax-free is only available to persons age
70 1/2 or older before Dec. 31, 2007.
Others may make gifts through IRA
assets, but will have to pay tax on the
distribution first, before taking an
offsetting charitable deduction.
For more information, call Valpo’s
Office of Gift Planning at
800.803.7184, ext. 76.
London-Silas Shavers ’00
By his own admission, London-Silas Shavers ’00 came
to Valparaiso University as a “hot-shot arrogant kid.” He
left the university a seasoned clarinetist, and much more.
Today, Shavers uses all the skills he acquired at Valpo in
his multi-faceted career. He is the professor of clarinet at
Rhodes College; a member of the woodwind faculty at
Northwest Mississippi Community College; a member
of the woodwind faculty at Germantown Baptist Church Conservatory of Music; and
an adjunct instructor of music at Southwest Tennessee Community College. He also has
sung in operas, and was a featured quartet soloist with the Memphis Symphony
Orchestra and with the Rhodes College Singers at Carnegie Hall.
Hometown: Chicago
Education: Bachelor’s degree in music education, Valparaiso University; master’s
degree in clarinet performance, Western Michigan University; pursuing a doctoral
degree in musical arts, University of Memphis.
On his Valpo education: “When I arrived at Valpo, the VU Center for the Arts
was a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility; the music faculty was fantastic; and there
were many opportunities to develop my talent by playing in high-caliber clarinet
sections and performance ensembles.
“I had many professors who were special mentors. Jeff Doebler ’87 Mus.M.
personifies ‘role model,’ and was also a friend. He instilled in me the importance of
music education at all levels. Denise Chigas-Kirkland broke me down, stripped me
ARCHIVE
of ego, began rebuilding my technique, and fostered my passion for clarinet
playing. Dennis Friesen-Carper inspired me to become a conductor-composer, and
Christopher and Maura Cock and Ralph Klapis helped me discover a talent that I
didn’t know I had, my voice.”
On his career: “I am constantly reminded about the rewards of my work when
I reflect on the commitment I made to nurture my talent; the students I’ve pro-
duced and inspired; the great ‘musical moment’ experiences I have had playing in
orchestras, wind, and chamber ensembles; and the feeling of accomplishment after
a good performance. I thank God every day that I am allowed to do what I do.”
13
Photo Provided

14
Lilly Endowment Provides
$2.5 Million for Scholars Program
Valparaiso University has received a
nearly $2.5 million grant from the
Lilly Endowment Inc. to enhance
the nationally-governed Lilly Fellows
Program in Humanities and the Arts
housed at VU.
The five-year grant is the third multimillion
dollar grant for the program that
Valpo has received from the endowment.
Founded at Valparaiso in 1991, the
program is designed to strengthen the
Christian character and renew the intellectual
vigor of church-related colleges
and universities throughout the United
States. Membership has grown to 81
schools, and thousands of faculty
members have participated.
Selected books written by
Valpo alumni. Remarks are from
publishers’ notes or reviews.
‘DeVere as Shakespeare: An Oxfordian
Reading of the Canon’
By William Farina ’78, ’81 J.D., Chicago •
McFarland & Company Inc.
William Farina’s book discusses why William
Shakespeare could have been the pen
named used by Edward DeVere, the 17th Earl
of Oxford, to disguise his true identity. It
studies documented facts on the authorship
of works of literature written more than 400 years ago, and
generates debate and controversy. The book offers a fresh and
easy-to-understand analysis and is a must-read for academics,
theater-goers, literature enthusiasts and anyone with an
intellectual curiosity about Western civilization’s most famous
writer. Farina, who resides in Chicago, has a career in real estate
appraisal, specializing in affordable housing. He is vice president
and Chicago regional manager at First American Commercial
Real Estate Service Inc.
The new grant will fund many initiatives
of VU’s program through 2011,
including mentoring for new and junior
faculty members, support for regional
and national conferences, and exchange
of information among faculty.
Beginning in 2007, a new program will
support and mentor graduate students
who intend to work in church-related
colleges and universities. Each year, 15
scholars will receive financial support
and be matched with a faculty mentor
in their discipline from a network
institution.
For more information, visit
valpo.edu/valpomag.
‘Awakening to Equality’
By Karl E. Lutze ’80 (honorary), Valparaiso •
University of Missouri Press
Read about some
amazing VU alumni at
valpo.edu/givetovu.
Timothy Birner ’02, United States
Foreign Service officer, Russia
Heather (Kinne ’92) Gollnick,
professional triathlete, and owner
of Iron Edge Coaching
Joel Jeske ’90, founder, Red Noses
New York, currently performing with
the Big Apple Circus
David E. Mueller ’67, recently
retired minister, Concordia Lutheran
Church, Wilmington, Del., now
interim pastor
ARCHIVE
Karl Lutze, associate professor emeritus of
theology at Valpo, tells his story of being a
young Lutheran pastor in 1945 who was
called to serve an African-American community in Muskogee,
Okla., during the civil rights movement. Readers visit small-town
and urban Oklahoma when African Americans were challenging
segregation, and a handful of liberal whites were trying to move
their communities toward desegregation. Lutze served as the
director of Church Relations at Valpo for 10 years and 21 years
on the staff of the Lutheran Human Relations Association of
America. He taught in VU’s Department of Theology for 32 years,
retiring in 1991.

VU Guild Christian Women’s
Conference Set for May
Valparaiso University alumni and
friends are invited to attend the fourth
Christian Women’s Conference on
campus May 4-6, 2007.
This year’s theme is On Toward Love:
“Hold unswervingly to the hope we
profess for he who promised is faithful.
Consider how we may spur one another
on toward love and good deeds”
(Hebrews 10:23-24).
Participants may choose sessions from
four tracks: Service, Well-Being, Gifts of
God and New Challenges. Jan
(Mindach ’66) Struck is the keynote
speaker for the sessions “I Love You
Anyway” and “If Love Were Easy,
Everyone Would Do It.”
Deaconess Louise Williams ’67 will lead
a Bible study. Other activities include a
dinner in VU’s Great Hall and a world
premiere choral concert.
The conference is sponsored by the
VU Guild and the Jay ’67 and Doris
Christopher Foundation. Registration
materials were mailed in January.
For more information, call the
VU Guild office at 800.748.4538
or 219.464.5315, or send an
e-mail to guild@valpo.edu.
The Valparaiso University Women’s Guild was founded April 13, 1931, when 25
women met on campus to form an auxiliary organization to advance the mission
of the university. Since that time, the Guild has raised more than $3.8 million
for projects to enhance student life at Valpo.
ESPN Names Valpo Men’s Basketball Among Best Game Atmospheres
ESPN.com recently asked seven experts to select five schools
apiece based on the best game atmospheres. Valparaiso University
was one of 22 schools named by the writers, with other
selections including Duke, Kansas, Kentucky and Indiana.
Kyle Whelliston is the senior ESPN.com writer featuring only
mid-major schools. He ranked Valpo No. 4 along with North
Carolina A&T, Missouri State (formerly called Southwest
Missouri State), Western Kentucky and Penn.
Whelliston said about Valpo, “Whether the team is an overachieving
giant-killer or a plain old underdog, Valpo students
and locals jam into the tightly packed 5,000-seat ARC ...
The crowd can be so intense it can be both a sixth and a
seventh man ...”
Crusader fans cheer on Valparaiso University’s men’s
basketball team during a recent game in the Athletics-
Recreation Center.
Valpo Athletics
ARCHIVE
15

16
S p o r t s W r a p
Courtney Rahrig controls the ball during
one of the soccer team’s matches
last fall.
Women’s Soccer Team
Clinches Regular Season
Conference Title
On a cold, rainy afternoon in October
at Eastgate Field, Valparaiso played to a
1-1 double-overtime draw with Southern
Utah. The tie, coupled with Oakland’s
3-2 loss at IUPUI gave Valpo back-toback
Mid-Continent Conference titles,
including its first outright crown in
school history.
Five former student-athletes were
inducted into the Valparaiso University
Athletics Hall of Fame on Feb. 3.
The Class of 2007 includes:
• John Belskis ’79, a three-time All-
Conference football player who earned
Kodak All-America honors as a
defensive back.
Ray Acevedo
“I’m obviously very excited about our
team’s accomplishment this season,”
Valpo head coach Stephen Anthony
said. “Going undefeated in conference is
certainly a tremendous achievement due
to the quality and parity of Mid-Con
schools.”
The Crusaders and Southern Utah have
been accustomed to overtime matches
this season, entering the match combined
for 11 extra session contacts. For
Valpo, the match was a school-record
seventh of the season, and the Crusaders
have still not lost an overtime contest
since 2003, going 6-0-9 during the span.
Valpo finished the season with a schoolbest
12-4-3 record, including a 4-0-2
mark in Mid-Continent Conference play.
Women’s Cross Country Team
Achieves Best Mid-Con
Performance
Valpo put together its best Mid-Continent
Championship meet performance in
program history, but came up just short
of its first-ever team title, finishing
Five Alumni Join Valpo Athletics Hall of Fame
• Nate Buckert ’02, the Mid-Continent
Conference Tennis Player of the Year as
a senior on his way to 116 victories in
singles and doubles.
• Aaron Crague ’02, one of the top
runners of all time who holds
numerous cross country and distance
event records.
Cross-country runner Laura Rolf
qualified for the 2006 NCAA
National Championships.
second at the 2006 Mid-Con Championship
in October in Lee’s Summit, Mo.
Oral Roberts edged out the Crusaders
42-45, a score that tied for the closest
margin of victory in championship
history.
Laura Rolf led the Crusaders with a
third-place finish, earning first team All-
Conference honors for a second
consecutive year and breaking her own
6K school record for the second time
this season. She becomes the first Valpo
runner since Tami Long in 1998-’99 to
earn first team All Mid-Con accolades
in consecutive seasons.
Rolf was one of five members of the
team to earn all-conference honors, the
most for a single Mid-Con squad since
the 2003 Southern Utah team had five
runners honored.
ARCHIVE
• Randy Goede ’70, a standout in baseball
and basketball and three-time All-
Indiana Collegiate Conference pitcher.
• Mark Pedersen ’02, an all-around
hitter and pitcher, earning Louisville
Slugger All-America honors in 2001.
Read more about the Class of 2007
and previous classes by visiting
valpo.edu/athletics and clicking
on the Hall of Fame link.
Ray Acevedo

New Theatre Department Chair Hopes to Involve Alumni
If some of Lee Orchard’s ideas are
realized, Valparaiso University alumni
may find themselves performing in plays
on campus or visiting the theatre scene
in London.
Orchard, a respected scholar, director
and actor, began serving as professor of
theatre and chair of Valpo’s Department
of Theatre on July 1. Since then, he’s
been focused on everyday activities such
as preparing students for their roles in
“Unity (1918),” which marked his
directorial debut at the university.
His busy daily schedule, however, hasn’t
prevented him from visioning the future
of theatre at Valpo and all that he’d like
to accomplish.
“First, I want to be a good listener,” he
says, “then collaborate with faculty and
staff in a shared vision of who we are,
what we’re about, and what we want to
do. This department is ready to grow.”
Topping the wish list: develop and refine
an already strong curriculum, expand the
dance program, increase the number of
productions, develop musical theatre,
and increase the number of majors
offered over a five- to 10-year period.
A three-week summer course dedicated
to the study of theatre in London
recently was approved. Alumni may be
invited to participate and attend various
productions. In addition, Orchard hopes
to invite alumni to perform in plays on
campus alongside students and serve as
their mentors.
In the meantime, Orchard revels in the
emotional and intellectual connections
he’s made with the students, who are
“engaged, interested and intelligent.”
Best of all, the students aren’t in it for
the fun or applause, but consider their
work a vocation, recognizing that theatre
is art that communicates important
ideas to an audience and is significant
to the culture.
Specializing in the works of Stephen
Sondheim, Orchard has directed more
than 60 productions during the past 30
years, ranging from Greek tragedies and
Shakespearean dramas to musicals and
children’s theatre. He also has appeared
in more than 40 theatrical productions.
He comes to VU from Truman State
University, where he served as chair of
the theatre department since 1991. He
earned his Ph.D. degree in theatre arts
from the University of Oregon.
At Valpo, he replaces John Steven Paul
’73, Dickmeyer professor of Christian
education, who was named director of
the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities
and the Arts, a nationwide higher
education program based at Valpo. Paul
had been chair of the department of
theatre since 1991.
ARCHIVE
Lee Orchard
Aran Kessler
17

18
Gillman Edits Math
Literacy Book
Richard Gillman, chair of Valpo’s Department
of Mathematics and Computer
Science, is editor of the book, “Current
Practices in Quantitative Literacy,”
published by the Mathematical Association
of America. The book reports on
what institutions of higher education
nationally are doing to ensure all graduates
have the math skills they need.
Maugans Performs
in Slovenia
Stacy Maugans, assistant dean of the
College of Arts and Sciences, performed
“Where Morning Dawns and Evening
Fades” at the World Saxophone Conference
in Ljubljana, Slovenia, last July.
She also performed “A Chase,” with
Kenneth Tse.
IN THY LIGHT …
Since the last VALPO magazine was
published, the Valparaiso University
community has lost many members
of our family—people who have
have touched the lives of thousands
through their lengthy and exemplary
service to the university.
We offer our prayers of condolence
to their families.
Gilbert Meilaender
Meilaender Tackles Problems
of the Moral Life
Gilbert Meilaender, Duesenberg professor
of Christian ethics, discusses the
problems of the moral life using the
thoughts of St. Augustine as a guide in
his new book, “The Way That Leads
There: Augustinian Reflections on the
Christian Life,” published by Eerdmans
Publishing.
Morris Studies
Impact of Pollutants
Gary Morris, associate professor of
physics and astronomy at Valpo, was a
lead author in the study that used NASA
In Memoriam
Professor Emeritus Louis F. Bartelt Jr. ’44,
’47 J.D. died on Jan. 2, 2007. In 1948, Bartelt
was appointed professor of law at Valparaiso
University. He served as acting dean from
1964 to 1965 and, again, in 1971-’72. He was
dean of the School of Law from 1965 to 1969,
and held the first Louis and Anna Seegers
Chair in the law school from 1982 until 1986,
when he retired from teaching, after 38 years
of service to the university. Bartelt received
the Valpo Alumni Association’s Distinguished
Service Award in 1985. He served several
terms on the Valparaiso Board of Zoning
Appeals beginning in 1985. He was a Sterling
Aran Kessler
satellites, weather balloon readings and
other data to discover the impact that
pollutants traveling even thousands of
miles can have on local air quality. The
study was published Sept. 26, 2006, in
the Journal of Geophysical Research.
German Culture in U.S.
Subject of New Book
Kevin Ostoyich, assistant professor of
history, has written “The German
Society of Pennsylvania: A Guide to Its
Book and Manuscript Collections,”
which presents a wide array of resources
available on the influence of German
culture on the United States. The book
covers German history from the 19th
century to the present, and is published
by the German Historical Institute.
Owens’ New Book,
‘Devil’s Topographer’
David Owens, associate professor of
English, has written a book that traces
writer Ambrose Bierce’s experiences
during the Civil War and the development
of the war story in American
Fellow at Yale Law School in 1954 and also
was named a Rockefeller Research Fellow
at the University of Wisconsin Law School
in 1959.
ARCHIVE
Elsie V. Bauer, who was known as one of the
pioneers of women’s athletics at Valpo, died
on Dec. 11, 2006. Brauer was an assistant
professor of physical education at Valpo from
1966 to 1977. She served as volleyball coach
for 10 years and also as golf coach in the early
1960s. In 1998, she was inducted into Valpo’s
Hall of Fame. Her contributions to women’s
sports helped elevate women’s athletics at the
university to its current level of quality. Bauer
was involved in the Women’s Athletic

literature. “The Devil’s Topographer:
Ambrose Bierce and the American War
Story” is published by the University of
Tennessee Press.
Palumbo Named
Jenny Professor
Robert Palumbo ’80, chair and professor
of mechanical engineering, has
been named the university’s Frederick F.
Jenny professor of emerging technology.
Palumbo joined the faculty in 1987 and
has worked with students on research to
convert solar energy into alternative
fuels that can be stored and distributed
throughout the world. He is leading the
project to study the industrial potential
of high temperature solar electrolysis
over the next five years—four with
National Science Foundation support.
Palumbo says the goal of the project is
“to develop some of the science and
technology required to alleviate the
impact of climatic change associated
with greenhouse gas emissions and
reduce the nation’s dependency on
fossil fuels. …”
Association, the Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics for Women and the Indiana AIAW.
Kalman A. Burnim of Melrose and Spring
Hill, Fla., died July 30, 2006. Burnim served
Valparaiso as an associate professor in 1958
in the speech and drama department. He
also served at Tufts University in Medford,
Mass., in the positions of associate professor
and director of theater, professor of drama,
executive director of theater, Fletcher professor
of oratory and drama, chair of the
drama department and emeritus professor.
Burnim also was a research professor at
George Washington University in Washington,
D.C., from 1975 to 1976 and 1985
to 1986.
Sandra Strasser
Startt Co-Edits
Three Volumes
James Startt, senior research professor
of history, co-edited three volumes in
the “History of American Journalism”
series. The volumes cover journalism in
the 20th century.
Strasser Honored for
Use of Technology
Sandra Strasser, professor of information
and decision sciences, won the
Instructional Innovation Award from the
Decision Sciences Institute for creating a
business statistics course in which students
created and used a Wiki—a
Bernhard Hillila ’87 (honorary), Valpo professor
emeritus of education, died Nov. 27,
2006. He was appointed professor of education
in 1968 and retired in May 1984. Hillila
wrote a number of books, his 10th published
in 2003, on the history of saunas. He was of
Finnish descent and wrote books pertaining
to Finn culture. Hillila was a Lutheran pastor
and served congregations in Massachusetts,
Ohio and New York. He also served as president
of Suomi College in Hancock, Mich.;
was dean of faculty at California Lutheran
University; and also dean of Hamma School
of Theology in Columbus, Ohio, prior to
coming to Valpo.
Aran Kessler
collaborative Web site for students that
takes the place of a traditional textbook.
‘History Highway’
eBook of Month
“The History Highway: A 21st-Century
Guide to Internet Resources,” which was
co-written by Dennis Trinkle, chief
information officer in Valpo’s Office of
Information Technology, was chosen as
NetLibrary’s eBook of the Month in
September 2006. Trinkle also has been
named winner of an EDUCAUSE 2006
Award in Higher Education Information
Technology in recognition of his exceptional
achievement within the higher
education information technology
profession.
New Book Written
by Patheja Chair
Nelly Van Doorn-Harder, associate
professor of theology and Valpo’s Patheja
chair of world religions and ethics, has
written a new book, “Women Shaping
Islam: Reading the Qur’an in Indo
(Continued on Page 20.)
Witness Jani was an adjunct instructor in
psychology for the 2004-’05 academic year.
He also served as counseling training coordinator
for psychology graduate programs for
the spring semester 2005. He was appointed
assistant professor of psychology for the
2005-’06 academic year, and also for the
2006-’07 academic year. However, due to
illness, he was unable to teach in the fall.
Jani lived in Chicago. He was a pastor in
Zimbabwe for seven years and also served as
director of Salem Mission Home in Chicago
prior to joining Valpo’s faculty. Jani died on
Nov. 21, 2006.
ARCHIVE
(Continued on Page 20.)
19

20
In Brief (Continued from Page 19.)
nesia,” published by the University of
Illinois Press. The book focuses on how
Muslim women are helping lead
religious life in Indonesia.
Two Contribute to ‘Rereading
Paul Together’
Richard De Maris, professor of theology
and New Testament scholar, and
the late David Truemper, who was a
professor of theology, have chapters
included in “Rereading Paul Together:
Protestant and Catholic Perspectives on
Justification” (bakeracademic.com). The
book is a reassessment of the Pauline
doctrine of justification from Protestant
and Roman Catholic perspectives and is
In Memoriam
(Continued from Page 19.)
Fred W. Kruger ’44, professor emeritus of
mechanical engineering, died on Dec. 25,
2006. Kruger joined the university faculty in
1948 and provided leadership and service as
professor of mechanical engineering, dean of
the College of Engineering, and as vice
president for business affairs. Kruger held
degrees from Purdue University and the
University of Notre Dame. He was a World
War II veteran and was involved on several
committees at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Kruger was on the Valparaiso City Council for
almost 24 years, providing valuable
leadership to the city of Valparaiso and its
residents.
Alfred W. Meyer ’48, ’50 J.D., Valparaiso
University’s Seegers Professor Emeritus and
former dean of the Valparaiso University
School of Law, died Jan. 28, 2007. Meyer
served the School of Law from 1961 until his
retirement in 1994, at which time he was
dedicated to Truemper, who
died in 2004, after 40 years
of service to Valpo.
Faculty Members
Receive Grants
Faculty members were awarded grants
from the Committee on Creative Work
and Research to support their research
projects during the coming year. Arvid
Sponberg, professor of English, received
the Philip and Miriam Kapfer Endowed
Faculty Research Award for his work in
documenting factors that contributed to
the proliferation of nonprofit theatres in
Chicago from 1950 to the present. His
research seeks to connect the economic,
geographic, public policy, literary and
other forces that led to the growth in
theatres.
named a Sagamore of the Wabash by Gov.
Evan Bayh. Meyer was dean of the law school
from 1969 to 1977 and 1982 to 1983, and he
was a founding faculty adviser to the
Valparaiso University Law Review and
introduced the Alternative Dispute Resolution
to the law school curriculum. He delivered
the Louis and Anna Seegers Memorial
lecture, a part of the law school’s first annual
endowed lecture series. Meyer served on the
board of the Valparaiso Chapter of Habitat
for Humanity and on the school board at
Immanuel Lutheran Church, where he also
had served as congregational president.
Walt Reiner, associate professor emeritus of
Christ College, died on Dec. 5, 2006. Walt
was known for his compassionate service to
the Hilltop neighborhood in Valparaiso and
the impetus he provided in obtaining health
care for those who were underserved in
several counties in northwest Indiana. He was
called a visionary for his work in housing and
race relations, among other issues. Reiner
Martin Buinicki, assistant
professor of English, and
Carmine Polito, assistant
professor of civil engineering,
were awarded University Research
Grants. Buinicki’s grant supports
research for a book examining the last
20 years in the life of poet Walt
Whitman and the work done to secure
Whitman’s literary reputation. Polito
will do research that aims to more
accurately determine how types of soil
will behave during earthquakes and give
engineers a better idea of how likely
structures are to collapse when
experiencing a tremor. He also will
develop a more affordable cyclic simple
shear machine, which is used to study
how soil behaves during earthquakes.
began his career at Valpo as a physical
education instructor in 1949 and coached the
Crusaders football team from 1957 to 1964.
He also directed the Youth Leadership
Training Program (YLTP) and the Urban
Studies Program. The community center
building in Valparaiso bears his and wife Lois’
(Bertram ’52) names in honor of their
dedication. He retired as an associate
professor in 1989.
ARCHIVE
Richard W. Scheimann, a professor of
philosophy from 1953 to 1982, died Aug. 28,
2006. Scheimann was head of the VU
Department of Philosophy from 1958 to 1971.
He was elected president of the Indiana
Philosophical Association in 1967. Scheimann
was a graduate of Concordia Seminary in St.
Louis and received his Ph.D. from the
University of Chicago. He served Lutheran
churches in Aurora, Ill.; Valparaiso; Michigan
City, Ind.; and Wanatah, Ind.

Arts and Sciences Dean Jon Kilpinen ’88:
How Valpo Shaped His Life and Career
By Susan Emery ’90
When Jon Kilpinen ’88 first set foot on
the Valparaiso University campus as a
student, he had no idea that he would
eventually assume one of the highest
positions at the university.
Kilpinen became dean of Valpo’s College
of Arts and Sciences last July, the
capstone in a Valpo career that began in
1992 as a member of the faculty, and
includes service as chair of the department
of geography and meteorology.
“My interest in geography and higher
education was shaped by my experiences
as a student at Valpo,” he says, “especially
the personal relationships I had with
professors Ferencz Kallay, Ron Janke,
Jim Startt, Dean Kohloff, Keith Schoppa
’66 and Buzz Berg. They each had
different gifts, and I benefited from a
combination of their strengths.”
Encouraged by these professors,
Kilpinen graduated from Valpo with
honors, and went on to earn master’s
and doctorate degrees in geography
from the University of Texas at Austin.
With his long association with the
College of Arts and Sciences both as a
student and faculty member, what does
he believe are the college’s most
important strengths?
“The people—students, faculty and
staff,” he says unhesitatingly. “Our
faculty members have terminal degrees
in their fields, come from the best
graduate programs in the country, and
think of themselves first and foremost as
teachers.
“Our students choose Valpo because
they desire a close relationship with
faculty in an environment that supports
both faith and intellectual growth. We
get an ideal match of faculty and
students, and that’s a very powerful
combination.”
As dean, Kilpinen hopes to enhance
the environment that will aid students’
success. He played a significant role in
planning Kallay-Christopher Hall,
which opened in 2005 and provides
nearly 17,000-square-feet for geography
and meteorology majors, and other arts
and sciences students. Construction on
the Doppler radar tower is expected to
be completed by this spring, especially
timely, given that Valpo’s meteorology
program experienced its largest-ever
incoming class last fall.
ARCHIVE
Other areas attracting Kilpinen’s
attention are education and the sciences.
The education department is united
under the leadership of new department
chair Jan Westrick, with a goal of providing
more quality teachers for
Lutheran schools, he says.
And science knowledge is especially
crucial today, according to Kilpinen,
“in order to understand even the most
basic news stories on issues such as
avian flu, cloning, steroids and global
climate change.”
21
Photo of Jon Klipenen: Aran Kessler

22
Like many Valparaiso University alumni, Loren Rullman alumni and friends toward a new union, with a total project
’87 has fond memories of the union.
cost of nearly $74 million. Fundraising continues in order
“The union was where I learned to become a citizen,” he
to bridge a $13 million gap in funding.
says. “It was there that I got my opinions challenged yet
At 205,000-square-feet, the new union is more than three
nurtured by programs and people.”
times the size of the current one. Incorporating the best of
Alumni who have graduated since the mid-1950s remember
the union as a place where they interacted with fellow
what the existing union offers, as well as the latest
technology, the new union will:
students, faculty and staff.
• help students develop vital leadership, teamwork and
“It seemed that just about everyone on campus had to
come through the union at some point each day, so I
social skills, with activity space for approximately 100
student organizations;
Union
• provide a place for students to interact with, and learn
from, people of diverse cultures. The building also
features an international and multicultural suite;
Combines Best of
By Susan Emery ’90
Old and New
could always count on seeing my friends there and
meeting new people,” says Russ Schumacher ’01.
For many alumni, the building also provided valuable
opportunities to develop the skills they use today in their
professional and personal lives. “The union’s programming
helped me learn about a wide range of topics that I had
not thought about before,” says Julie (Speers ’94) Thomas,
director of the university Guild.
University Archivist Mel Doering ’53 helped plan the
union, which was built in 1955. “An adequate union is not
a luxury,” says Doering. “As a cultural, recreational and
social center, it is an essential and significant part of a
truly sound liberal education. It is a laboratory for
leadership development.”
Today, the union is no longer adequate to serve a student
population of 3,900—nearly double what it was in 1955.
The university already has received many gifts from
• foster community, with a large
central dining hall where students,
faculty and staff can dine together;
• house a banquet/multipurpose
room that can seat 500 people for
banquets or 1,000 for lectures;
ARCHIVE
• support students in their vocational
exploration, with an office suite for
the Career Center;
• include a convenience store, a post
office, and mailbox for each student
on campus, and a bookstore that
also will carry Valpo merchandise
for alumni.

“The new union is a critical next step in fulfilling the
university’s campus master plan,” says VU President Alan
Harre. “Facilities proposed under the plan, such as the
Christopher Center for Library and Information
Resources and now the union, were selected based on
their potential to enhance the educational experiences of
the greatest number of students.”
The union is being situated on the site formerly occupied
by Moellering Library, with sight lines open to the
Chapel of the Resurrection. Like the Christopher Center,
it will be of a height and size that is in deference to
the chapel.
Construction began in November, with the building
scheduled to open during the university’s 150th
anniversary, academic year 2008-’09.
“The union is the central element to help Valpo boost
student recruitment and retention, as well as enhance
the university’s national reputation and brand,” says
President Harre. “It underscores the faith-based,
residential community education that distinguishes
Valparaiso University.”
View drawings of the union at
valpo.edu/givetovu.
ARCHIVE
The new union’s second floor prefunction
lobby offers stunning views of the chapel.
23

24
It
It’s a 3-DimensionalCareer
for Ablan ’89
took some time. There were, of
course, ups and downs. And by
no means was it easy.
But Dan Ablan ’89 is his own boss. He
does his work in his 3,000-square-foot
studio office in Schaumburg, Ill. Ablan,
however, doesn’t call it “work.”
Sure, it pays the bills. But what has become
a successful career in 3-dimensional
digital graphics, the 39-year-old Ablan
used to call his hobby. Before computers
became the power machines they are today,
Ablan used to “goof around” on the
computer in his spare time, teaching
himself the ins and outs of 3-D
animation.
“The more I did with it,” he says, “the
more I wanted to do it.”
When the computer company he had
been working for folded in 1994, Ablan
took it as a sign to start his own business—AGA
Digital Studios, which was
incorporated in 1997.
You may have seen his work and not
even known it.
The safety animations on United Airlines
flights are his. Working for the Federal
Aviation Administration, he helped create
a DVD that teaches pilots to navigate
airports. He was hired by Abbott Laboratories
to make a video news release for a
new drug. And he recently completed his
third project for NASA’s Ames Research
Division.
Ablan takes many of the PowerPoint presentations
that NASA officials develop
and creates graphics and animations for
what ultimately becomes a full-presentation
DVD. Allstate Insurance is re-branding
itself, so he created 3-D animations of
what the new Allstate stores will look like.
By Tom Wyatt ’94
These 3-D images are among the
works created by Dan Ablan ’89.
Explore more of Ablan’s work online at
valpo.edu/valpomag.
He also did 3-D work for the 1999 Fox
television network Halloween special
“Night of the Headless Horseman.”
But that’s just his day job. Living in
Lake Zurich, Ill., with his wife, Maria,
and 8-year-old daughter, Amelia, he is
3-D Renderings: Dan Ablan
well known as the author of 11 books on
3-D animation. His latest releases are
“Digital Photography for 3-D Imaging
and Animation,” “Official Luxology modo
Guide,” and “Inside LightWave v9.”
Of the 11 books Ablan has written, eight
are on LightWave 3-D, a 3-D modeling
and animation program. He taught himself
the program in the early 1990s and
began sharing his expertise through
magazine articles and then, in 1996, with
his first book “LightWave Power Guide.”
There are many 3-D animation programs,
but LightWave is the one Ablan uses
most. It is used primarily at the corporate
and industrial level, he says, but also for
television and commercials. The 3-Danimated
movie “Jimmy Neutron” was
made using LightWave.
“The books are pretty much an adjunct,”
Ablan says. “I used to write them at night
after work. I’d come home, have dinner
with my wife and sit down at about 9
p.m. and write until two in the morning.”
The books have since spawned a new
training division by Ablan called 3-D
Garage. This new part of AGA Digital
offers 3-D animation training courses
through the Web site 3DGarage.com.
“I found that people were having trouble
learning 3-D software because everything
was covering a specific topic,” he says.
“We put together a course from A to Z.
We’ve had pretty good luck with it, as
well as our new courses, including
Luxology’s modo.” He plans to expand
3DGarage.com this year with training
courses for Cinema4D, Maya, as well as
Photoshop and others.
ARCHIVE
Ablan came to Valparaiso University
originally intent on studying photojournalism.
But after taking a broadcast

journalism class, he changed his focus to the broadcast side of
the university’s communication program.
His big break came when he was awarded an internship during
the summer of 1988 at CBS2 in Chicago. Friends and fellow
communication majors told him not to bother with applying for
the internship at the Chicago CBS affiliate. Only Columbia
College and Northwestern University students were awarded
internships at CBS, they told Ablan.
“I said, ‘No, I know what I want,’” Ablan says.
Raised on the southwest side of Chicago, he went to the interview
armed with a wealth of knowledge about the CBS station
and a portfolio of his own work.
“The people at CBS told me that the Northwestern and
Columbia students came in with resumes,” Ablan says.
“I came with a demo reel that nobody else had.
“I was hanging out of a helicopter as a junior shooting
video for the Indiana State Police. We were doing
productions at the Orville Redenbacher plant.
Visit valpo.edu/valpomag for
a close up look at the 3-D
work Dan Ablan ’89 has
done for clients ranging
from United Airlines
to NASA.
We did a lot of extracurricular stuff [at Valpo] that
other people didn’t do. If you had an idea, they would
let you try it. That was key.”
After graduating, he landed his first job with the CBS
affiliate in Lafayette, Ind., shooting and editing news.
He later came back to Valparaiso to work at the local
cable channel as a program manager, before moving
on to a Merrillville, Ind., company’s corporate video
department in the early 1990s.
All the while, he tinkered with computers and
3-D animation, and photography. And, ultimately,
it spun off into a successful career.
As Ablan says, “It’s that experimentation
that takes you to the next level.”
ARCHIVE
25
Dan Ablan’s Photo: Aran Kessler,
3D Rendering of BMW X5: Dan Ablan

26
Be a Part of the New
Alumni Online Community
Your alumni association is launching a new way for you
to stay connected—the Valpo Alumni Online Community.
With more than 50,000 alumni throughout the world, the
community will provide one location where all Crusaders
can meet and interact. The community strives to engage and
inform alumni in an interactive way that keeps them coming
back for more. The Valpo Alumni Online Community
launches in March.
Clip out this information to keep next to your computer.
It’s Easy to Participate
1.
2.
3.
Find the login box to the new community in the upper right corner of
the alumni homepage at valpo.edu/alumni.
Have your username and password from the former online directory
handy; the username is identical.
To enter the community, add zeros to the beginning of your old password,
until the password is seven digits long. If you do not have or
do not remember your username and password, send an e-mail to
alumni@valpo.edu and one will be sent to you by e-mail.
Once logged in, alumni can choose a username and password of their own.
The community is free and open to all alumni of Valpo. If you are an
alumnus/a of VU but did not graduate, please send an e-mail to
alumni@valpo.edu with your name as a student and your years on campus.
Start a Group on the New Online Alumni Community
Alumni are invited and encouraged to start online groups
within the community. All Valpo Clubs, as well as current
fraternities and sororities, have been invited to start groups
prior to the community’s launch. Some ideas for groups
could include:
• “Alumni of Lankenau Hall 2-South” – Invite your
former wingmates to your group, post photos of your
time in the hall and see who else joins.
Who Should Participate
You should! All alumni are encouraged
to participate in this fun new
way to stay connected. Once you
have logged in and completed the
registration process, you can create
your individual profile, complete
with photos and friends list. Next,
use the directory to search for your
friends. You also may use the
calendar to register online for the
next alumni event in your area and
view the group pages included with
the community. You may even start
your own.
ARCHIVE
• “Tau Kappa Epsilon Pledge Class of …” – Gather your
fraternity or sorority’s pledge class together online by
starting your own group and reminiscing about your
years on campus.
• “Valpo Swimming and Diving Alumni” – Former
athletes can start groups based on their teams.
• “VUCRU Alumni” – Continue to cheer on the
Crusaders through game discussion threads.
Opting out of the community: If you have opted out in the previous online directory, your name will not appear in this new community, and you will not
have access. For those who wish to opt out, send an e-mail to alumni@valpo.edu, with your full name, graduation year, and your request to opt out.

Homecoming and Reunion Weekend
Hotel rooms in Valpo fill up fast for
Homecoming and Reunion Weekend—
do not miss your opportunity to return
to campus for the festivities Friday, Oct.
5, through Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. Visit
valpo.edu/alumni/homecoming for a
list of area hotels.
Make your plans now to attend Homecoming
and Reunion Weekend 2007.
With more than 70 events planned
annually—including the 5K Fun Run,
Spend Your Spring Vacation
With Valpo
the football game and tailgate, several
departmental lectures, and Greek
gatherings—this is a weekend alumni
should not miss.
Alumni with class years ending in a 2
or 7, and the Brown & Gold Club (those
who graduated prior to 1957), this is your
reunion year. Brochures with details on
the weekend and reunion activities will
arrive in mailboxes in July.
For more information about Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, and
to view class-specific information, visit valpo.edu/alumni/homecoming.
Floridians and other alumni visiting the Sunshine
State can spend time with the VU baseball and softball
teams this March. The softball team will play 12 games
in Kissimmee, Fla., as part of the Rebel Spring Games, March 4
through 10. The baseball team begins its Bradenton, Fla., stretch of six
games on March 6. For schedules of both teams, as well as
information on the alumni gatherings planned, visit
valpo.edu/alumni/events/springbreak.
The VU Chamber Concert Band, Chorale, and Kantorei will tour the midwest,
southeast, and Germany this March. The annual spring break music
tours bring the groups to churches and schools. Receptions hosted by the
alumni association will take place at some tour stops. For a full list
of all tours, visit valpo.edu/vuca and click on Music Tours.
Jon Hendricks
Alumni from the class of 1996
met at Buffalo Wild Wings last
year in downtown Valparaiso
for their 10th reunion.
The alumni print directory is
scheduled to be mailed out
to all purchasers in March.
Depending on where you live,
you should receive your copy
of the directory by mid-April.
If you have questions about
the print directory, call
800.833.6792, ext. 23,
or send an e-mail to
alumni@valpo.edu.
Special information for the
classes of 1957 and 1982
We heard from a significant number
of you, and we are listening! Reunion
2007 celebrations will be held Oct. 5-7,
2007. The idea of moving reunions for
the 50th and 25th classes from October
to June was based on the positive feedback
to a class survey we sent out a year
ago. Despite this initial response, later
feedback indicated that all reunions
should remain during Homecoming
and Reunion Weekend.
Please note this change and
a call for your help:
• Volunteer – join your class’ reunion
planning committee.
• Spread the word – let your classmates
and other alumni know that all
reunions will be in October.
• Share your thoughts on your upcoming
reunion – send us an e-mail at
alumni@valpo.edu.
• Attend – join your classmates on
Oct. 5-7, 2007, at Valpo.
ARCHIVE
Did You Order a Copy of the 2007
Alumni Print Directory?
27

28
VUAA Welcomes
New Members
On Jan. 1, four alumni began their
three-year terms as members of the VU
Alumni Association’s Board of Directors.
Kelli (Baumgarn ’00) Elser resides in
Brownsburg, Ind. She received a Bachelor
of Arts degree, majored in communication
and music, and was a member
of Chi Omega sorority. She is a member
of the Valpo Club of Indianapolis and
the Valpo Admission Network (VAN).
Laura Erickson ’95 lives in Brooklyn
Park, Minn. While on campus, she participated
in the overseas study program
in Hangzhou, China, and earned her
Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.
Erickson also is active in the VAN and
the VU Guild.
Dan Tiemann ’85 resides in Chicago.
While a student, Tiemann was a member
of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
He received his Bachelor of Science
degree in accounting.
Lynn Veit ’89 lives in Aurora, Colo.
She is a member the Valpo Club of
Denver, the VU Guild, and the VAN.
She received a bachelor’s degree in
nursing and, while a student, was a
member of Gamma Phi sorority.
Four VUAA Board of Directors members
completed their service at the end
of 2006: Nichole (Gummerus ’76)
Bobo of Denver; Rebecca (Balko ’81)
Duesenberg of London; Paul
Jarzembowski ’99 of Island Lake, Ill.;
and Stan Scheumann ’77 of Fort
Wayne, Ind.
Class of 2006 First to Receive
New Alumni Handbook
This winter, the class of 2006 were the recipients of
the alumni association’s first New Alumni Handbook.
Written as a resource for the transition from
being students to becoming alumni, the handbook
walks readers through the catalog of services the
alumni association provides and ways to stay
connected to their classmates and alma mater.
Young alumni share their stories of how they
became involved in activities such as Valpo Clubs
and why they are drawn to return to campus
each Homecoming. The handbook also includes
a VU Alumni Association membership card.
Order Valpo-wear From
the Online Bookstore
You don’t have to be on campus to purchase the
newest Valpo apparel. It is readily available from the
University Book Center. A select number of items can
be ordered online, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats,
pants, shorts, children’s items, as well as gift cards.
Link to the book center’s online store
at valpo.edu/alumni; then click
on Products and Services.
Is there an item you would like to see
available for purchase? Send an e-mail
to alumni@valpo.edu, and the alumni
association will let the University Book
Center know what alumni want to see.
ARCHIVE
Mid-Continent Tournament
Games to Be Webcast
Alumni can catch all Mid-Continent action via webcast.
Valpo men’s and women’s games will be available via the
VU athletics Web site. Visit valpo.edu/athletics and
view the Current Events box for links to the webcasts.
The Mid-Continent Tournament begins Saturday, March 3, and concludes Tuesday,
March 6. For tournament details, including ticket information and
alumni and fan gatherings, visit valpo.edu/alumni/events/midcon.php.

1946
1951
Arnold Tonne and wife Pearl (Hemmeter) are
Janet (Ward) Taggart is retired from the
both retired and living at Clear Lake, Ind.
University of Washington. She is one of six
women who set off a successful lobbying cam-
1947
paign to open Washington state public schools
to children who are developmentally disabled.
Eunice (Prange) Seeber and husband Bill
A book that chronicles the work of this group
celebrated Eunice’s 80th birthday with a family of women was published by the University of
Got a Valpo Story?
reunion at their new home in Valparaiso.
Washington and is used in the Special Educa-
Twenty-five family members attended.
tion Division of the College of Education and
Let us know your favorite Valpo re-
the School of Social Work. The book is titled
membrance in 100 words or less. If we
“Becoming Citizens: Family Life and the
publish your story in the VALPO mag- 1948
Politics of Disability,” written by Susan
azine, we will send you a Valpo T-shirt.
Betty (Yount) Spencer of Conover, N.C., retired
Schwartzenberg.
We reserve the right to edit stories.
as a Christian educator after 32 years in the
Submit to valpo.edu/valpomag local Lutheran day school. Of those 32 years, 1952
or by mail to Joy Williams,
she also was principal for six years. She has
two married sons, Dale and Alan, and four
Arol Amling and his wife, Rachel, live in Val-
Valparaiso University, Loke Hall,
grandchildren. Betty works part time as a
paraiso. They have six children, 14 grand-
Valparaiso, IN 46383, or by e-mail to
greeter at the local funeral home. She is a
children and one great-grandchild. He recently
valpo.magazine@valpo.edu.
volunteer for the Red Cross and also for the received the 2006 Volunteer Service Award for
chapel at the Lutheran Home in Hickory. Betty exemplary service from Regional Federal
My Valpo Story
is a pianist and provides music therapy at
Credit Union in Hammond, Ind. Arol is a
several nursing and assisted living homes.
retired educator who taught social studies,
Andrea (Swanson ’99) Popp
physical education and health and safety from
LaPorte, Ind.
1955 to 1989. He is a member of the Porter
1949
County Retired Teachers Association and is
As a marketing student at the
Bernice (Kramer) Rodenbeck lives in Fort
active in Kiwanis Club in Valparaiso.
College of Business Administration, Wayne, Ind. She enjoys being a grandparent to
Lois (Bertram) Reiner and her late husband,
I looked forward to my marketing
12 grandchildren and helping to babysit her
Walt (See obituary on Page 18.), of Valparaiso
classes with Professor Paul Trapp— granddaughter, Elise, 3. Bernice’s eldest
were awarded Outstanding Achievement
his dedication both in and outside
daughter, Madelyn, and her husband, John,
Awards by the Porter County Community
who are graduates of Concordia, Seward, have
of the classroom helped inspire my
Foundation during its annual celebration of
taken teaching positions in Anchorage, moving
passion for marketing strategy.
accomplishments in July.
there from Florida.
I joined with three business
1953
1950
partners and opened up a graphic
design, marketing, and information
Ned “Snapper” Knape lives in Decatur, Ill., with
John Delworth ’55 J.D. and his wife, Nora, reside
his wife, Orpha. Ned remarried after his first
technology studio, Madhaus Studio in Rochester, Ind. John has retired after 20
wife died of cancer. Orpha went to high school
LLC, in Valparaiso. Without the
years in the practice of law, followed by 14
with Ned—she was a cheerleader, and he was a
inspiration and confidence I gained years as judge of the Fulton-Pulaski County
basketball player. They married in November
Courts. He and Nora enjoy visiting their five
while studying under Professor
2004. Ned’s e-mail address is snapper-
children and many grandchildren.
Trapp, I never would have thought
in@adamswells.com.
such a dream could turn into such
Otis Mehlberg and his wife, Joanne, have been
reality.ARCHIVE
an awesome
married for 27 years. They reside in Shawano,
Wis. They have four children in Fort Myers,
Fla., one son in Arizona, and one married
daughter in Almo, Calif. Otis retired 16
years ago.
Joy Williams, Editor
Bill Thomas and his wife, Audrey, celebrated
their 50th wedding anniversary in August
2006, in Plymouth, Mich., where they reside.
Three children and eight grandchildren were
present, along with 50 other relatives and
friends. Bill enjoyed returning to Valpo for the
baseball family days since 1992. Recent health
problems have cut short the visits.
29

30
1954
Jim and Lee (Nomann ’56) Fricke of West Salen,
Wis., celebrated their 50th anniversary with a
renewal of their vows before family and
friends on June 25, 2006.
Ione (Henning) Johnson of LaCrosse, Wis., continues
to work for the University of Wisconsin
as a supervisor of student teachers. She stills
gets together with Carol (Wachholz) Larson, her
college roommate. Ione traveled to Norway in
June with her daughter, Robyn, to visit friends.
1955
Jerry Brandt and wife Rosemarie (Knoetzsch)
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
aboard the Clear Lake Queen on Nov. 19.
Jerry’s career spanned 35 years in flight testing
experimental rocket- and jet-powered aircraft.
He served as the U.S. Air Force project
manager for the first 25 space shuttle landings
at Edwards Air Force Base. He retired from the
Civil Service, USAF, in 1991. Rosemarie was a
nurse and laboratory technician. She also
taught the German language for eight years at
Grace Lutheran School in Lancaster. She and
Nineteen Attend 55th Reunion
Nineteen members of the Class of 1951, celebrating their 55th anniversary,
attended the 2006 Homecoming this past fall in order to participate in
Brown & Gold Club activities.
They are: Clarence ’51 and Jean (Seegers ’51, ’79 M.A.L.S.) Albers; Lois
(Althaus ’51) and Wayne ’50 Vogelsmeier; Clyde ’51 and Patricia (Orpin ’53)
Berger; Richard ’51 and Lois (Gimbel ’52) Bohde; Dorcas (Borcherding ’51)
and Edgar ’55 Luecke; Joanne (Dehmlow ’51) and Norman ’50 Kettner;
Frederic ’51 and De Loris (Abraham ’47) Doederlein; Ruth (Fischer ’51)
Richert; William ’51 and Ladonna (Goeglein ’76) Koch; William Loeschke
’50 (whose twin brother Floyd graduated in 1951); Betty (Marks ’51)
Eckenfels; Howard Metzger ’51; Donald ’51 and Elsie “Penny” (Peters ’49)
McBride; James ’51 and Johanna (Bauer ’52) McGill; Aline (Meyer ’51) and
Robert Ficken ’51; Wallace ’51 and Diane Pretzer; Marjorie (Pringnitz ’51)
and Donald ’52 J.D. Waskom; Calvin Tiebert ’51; and Helen (Wachholz)
Messerschmidt.
“Since we (the Class of 1951) belong to the Brown & Gold Club, we can, of
course, attend a yearly reunion; in any case, we should make every effort to
attend our 60th,” says Wally Pretzer ’51.“To commemorate the 60th, we
should have at least 60 at the Brown & Gold Club Reunion in 2011! If each
of the 19 of us at this year’s reunion will phone or e-mail other classmates,
we can, indeed, achieve 60 for the 60th!”
Jerry have three children. They reside in Chico,
Calif.
William Eifrig and Andreas Pfisterer have had
their work on Gregorian Chant music published
in Volume 19 of Monumenta Monodica
Medii Aevi, a major series of scholarship dealing
with Gregorian Chant music. The book
was edited by Wolfgang Hirschmann and is
published under the auspices of the Institut
fur Musikwissenschaft of the University of
Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany, by Barenreiter
Press. William is a professor emeritus of music
at Valpo. He resides in Sonoita, Ariz., with his
wife, Gail (McGrew ’62).
Kurt Jordan and wife Shirley (Lepisto ’56)
celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
with a Mediterranean cruise on the QE2. They
have three children and four grandchildren.
Kurt retired from Concordia Lutheran High
School where he taught English for 41 years.
Shirley retired at the same time, after 25 years
at the high school and three years at Bethlehem
Lutheran School. Kurt also was an associate
faculty member at Indiana-University-
Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Ind., for 25
years. Shirley directs IMPACT for Lutheran
elementary and high school teachers who seek
additional training for critical thinking and
problem analysis in their classrooms.
Robert Muir is a retired patent attorney who
volunteers more than 20 hours every week for
Prairie State Legal Services in Peoria, Ill. He
was named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, by
the Peoria County Pro Bono Plan, a joint
project of the Peoria County Bar Association
and Prairie State Legal Services Inc. He was
given the honor for his exceptional leadership
and commitment to providing civil legal
services to people who were underserved.
Mel Rullman and his wife, Judy (Schuermann),
traveled to Tosagua, Ecuador, as volunteers for
Thrivent Builds Worldwide, an alliance with
Habitat for Humanity that helps build
affordable homes for people who lack decent
shelter. The homes they worked on were made
of brick to better withstand earthquakes and
flooding which is common in that region.
1956
—Submitted by Wally Pretzer ’51, dpretze@bgnet.bgsu.edu, who apologizes for any errors in information or omission.
Sigmund Erber won $100 and a medallion
engraved with the word “excellence” at the
ARCHIVE
From left to right: Jean (Seegers ’51, ’79 M.A.L.S.) Albers,
Wallace “Wally” Pretzer ’51, and Marjorie (Pringnitz ’51)
Waskom at the Brown & Gold Club reception.
Photo Provided

Oakbrook Terrace Expo two-day show that
welcomed contestants 50 and older. It included
a talent mix that was lightly based on Fox TV’s
“American Idol” show. Sigmund won for his
version of “Ol’ Man River.”
John Fackler ’87 D.Sc. and wife Naomi (Steege)
reside in College Station, Texas. Their 50th
anniversary reunion at Nags Head, N.C., included
nine children and their spouses and
nine grandchildren. John says, “The kids took
home 145 lbs. of fish and great memories.”
Fuzzy Thurston, Green Bay Packers legend, has
written a new book called “What a Wonderful
World: The Fuzzy Thurston Story.” The book
is available at fuzzybook.com or by phone at
1-800-708-1078.
1957
Marj (Lamp) and Walt Crosmer ’56 of Clearwater,
Fla., celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary. They were married on Aug. 26,
1956, by the Rev. Dr. Armin C. Oldsen. Walt
retired from Honeywell as an aerospace
systems engineer and was involved in the
Apollo Lunar Landing scientific instrument
development, the Viking Mars Explorer
program, the Homing Overlay Experiment, a
missile intercept project, the Patriot (PAC 3)
antimissile program and other satellite and
missile development projects. Marj is a
homemaker and volunteer. She is a chaplainvisitor
at Morton Plant Hospital and also sings
with the Lutheran Pinellas Chorus. The
Crosmers have six children and 11
grandchildren.
Wesley Mader of Prior Lake, Minn., retired as
president of Bowmar Defense & Aerospace in
Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1991. After his retirement
he served on the city council as the mayor of
Prior Lake. He currently tutors high school
students in algebra, geometry and
trigonometry.
1958
Elizabeth (Newman) Frentzel is a retired physical
therapist. She is president of Holy Spirit
Lutheran Church and also president of Church
Women United of Leonia, N.J.
MARRIAGE
Gordon Westergren and Marlene Arens, June
30, 2006, LaPorte, Ind.
1959
Dave Leege is president of the board of direc-
tors of Lutheran Summer Music. The program
is aimed at talented high school musicians and
rotates among Lutheran campuses. David is
retired from Notre Dame but still professionally
active. He and his wife, Pat, live in Arcadia,
Mich., in summers, and Green Valley, Ariz., in
winters.
Carol (Stoker) Petzold lives in Aspen Hill, Md.,
with her husband, Walt. They have three children
and eight grandchildren. Carol is running
for the State Senate, District 19. She has 20
years experience as a delegate and, in 2004, her
legislation prohibiting sexual solicitation of a
minor, targeting Internet predators, became
law. She also was a major sponsor of a 2004
bill requiring electricity suppliers to use
renewable energy resources.
Verie (Weimann) Sandborg retired from Baxter
International in 2002 and lives in Deerfield, Ill.
She consults part time from home on environmental
and sustainability issues and publishes
articles on a variety of subjects.
1960
Richard Barkow and his wife, Leslie, reside in
Nashotah, Wis. He and Leslie have five children
and two grandchildren, Charlie and
Ashley. Their daughter, Sally, won the Rolex
Yachtswoman of the Year Award, with five
world championships. She attended the pre-
Olympics in Qingdao, China, in August 2006.
1961
John Duxbury of South Pasadena, Calif.,
received the Valparaiso University Alumni
Achievement Award. He recently retired from
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. John served
as science and payload manager for the Mars
Orbiter, overseeing a $100 million budget to
develop instruments for the spacecraft.
M. Mildred (Anderson) Goetze and husband
Gary ’62 retired to a new log home on “hightop”
in West Virginia. Their activities include
that of “gentleman farmer” and Millie’s small
herb farm. She also weaves with a fiber arts
guild at Stonewall Jackson Mill. Six grandchildren
provide a continuity of life and travel
opportunities as well.
Wayne and Pam (Kirkland) Jensen ’64, ’94
(honorary) celebrated 43 years of marriage in
August. Pam is a retired circuit court judge;
Wayne will retire from the practice of law this
year. They plan to spend more time with family
and at their vacation home in Salida, Colo.
Wayne and Dorothy (Plass ’73 M.A.L.S.) Wodrich
live in Valparaiso. Wayne’s first children’s book,
“Tang Tzu Heals His Mother,” is in print, with
others awaiting illustrations. Wayne still works
summers at Deep River County Park, while
Dodi works part time at Valpo’s Law Library.
1962
Karen (Schmidt) Cavanaugh retired in 2003,
after 32 years as a music teacher in Montgomery
County, Md. She and husband Tom
reside in the Shenandoah County of Virginia
at Bryce Resort. They have two children and
five grandchildren.
Don Schroer is chairman of the Health, Physical
Education and Dance Department at Emory
University in Atlanta. He and wife Peggy have
seven grandchildren.
1963
Cathie (Richardson) Conley and husband Pat
live in Norwalk, Iowa. They have six grandchildren.
Cathie attended Homecoming Weekend
and celebrated the 50th anniversary of her
sorority, Phi Beta Chi. She especially enjoyed
worshiping in the Chapel of the Resurrection
again.
1964
Mary (Fitting) Detwiler is a high school librarian
at Carthage High School. She also is the
adviser to the reading club and the creative
writing club. She resides in Watertown, N.Y.
She has three grown children: Carrie, Kelly
and Kurt, and one granddaughter, Violet.
John Draheim of Barrington, Ill., received the
Valparaiso University Alumni Achievement
Award, which recognizes those who have
achieved extraordinary success in their professions.
John served as vice president of
administration and communications for FLAG
Telecom Limited in London, England, before
retiring after 35 years as a leader in the telecommunications
industry. He previously
served as vice president of operations at
Ameritech International in Chicago and is
now a member of the VU College of Engineering
National Council.
ARCHIVE
Larry Klemz of Valparaiso is the owner of
Home Mountain Printing. The company received
two awards for outstanding achievement
in the fourth Annual 2006 Achievements
in Print Excellence, a statewide competition by
the Printing Industries of Illinois and Indiana.
His company relocated to a 40,000-square-foot
building at Eastport Center in Valparaiso.
31

32
Michael Monti and wife Gretchen reside in
Anacortes, Wash. Michael retired after a long
career as regional vice president of sales in the
southwest for American International Group
(AIG). He lived in southern California for 34
years and retired to Washington state to enjoy
boating, golf and outdoor life. He and
Gretchen have three grown daughters.
Karen (Gienapp) Soeken of Laurel, Md., has
retired from the University of Maryland
School of Nursing at Baltimore. An award was
established in her name and funded by former
students. Karen has written numerous research
papers with other nurses and continues to
consult with former students on several significant
research projects.
1965
Donald Albright and his wife, Lana, reside in
Jupiter, Fla., near the beach. They celebrated
39 years of marriage. Donald thanks God for
the seven years out from his last cancer illness.
Their son, Chad, is a doctor in Roanoke, Va.;
daughter Courtney was just married and
resides in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Bruce Berner ’67 LL.B. was honored with the
2006 Legacy of Service Award presented by the
Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce for his
dedication and work in Valparaiso. Bruce is the
Seegers professor of law and associate dean for
academic affairs at Valpo Law. His community
work includes service as chair of the Valparaiso
Smoking Task Force and president of the Valparaiso
Plan Commission. Bruce also works
with the United Way of Porter County.
Larry Webster has joined Hilgenberg Realty in
Green Bay as a business broker. Before this
new position, Larry worked with Creative
Business Brokers, also in Green Bay. He has
experience in mergers and acquisitions, investment
real estate and business brokerage. Larry
is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and resides in
DePere, Wis.
1966
Ruth (Dilts) Collins of Lincoln University, Pa.,
is a mathematics instructor at the Stanton/
Wilmington campus of Delaware Tech. She
was elected mid-Atlantic vice president of the
American Mathematical Association of Two-
Year Colleges. She has 22 years experience
teaching algebra, statistics and mathematics.
Her area of specialization involves preparing
elementary and middle school math teachers
to be more effective in the classroom.
David Mueller and his wife, Gigi, reside in
Wilmington, Del. He retired after 29 years of
ministry at Concordia Lutheran Church in
Brandywine Hundred, leaving a long legacy of
interfaith connections and community service.
He hopes to continue to visit the Holy Land.
(Read more about David at www.valpo.edu/
givetovu in an Amazing Alumni story.)
Raymond Nimmer ’68 J.D. of Houston was
named the University of Houston Law Center
interim dean. He held that same position from
1993 to 1995. He is the Leonard Childs professor
of law at the Law Center and is the codirector
of the Houston Intellectual Property
and Information Law Institute. He also is the
author of 20 books, including “The Law of
Computer Technology, Information Law and
Modern Licensing Law.” Raymond is licensed
to practice law in Illinois and Texas, as well as
in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Janet (Visser) Onishi and husband Akira reside
in Citrus Heights, Calif. Janet is a first-grade
teacher, and Akira is an architectural draftsman.
They have three children: Sera and Sen,
who live in New York City, and Rei, who
attends Harvard Law School.
Carol (Succop) Thieme and husband Jim celebrated
their 35th wedding anniversary. Carol
is a licensed clinical social worker in private
practice, and Jim is a massage therapist. They
enjoy visiting their two children and vacationing
at Alabama Shores.
1967
E. Louise Williams, executive director, Lutheran
Deaconess Association, will participate in the
ALOA Lutherhostel, July 9-13, at Valparaiso
University. Other participants include Karl
Lutze '80 (honorary), associate professor
emeritus of theology at Valpo; and Joseph
Prahlow M.D. '86, associate professor, Indiana
University School of Medicine, Notre Dame.
For information, call ALOA 1-800-930-2562
or visit ALOA Web site, aloaserves.org.
1968
Linda Kluever lives in Charlottesville, Va. Her
son, Matthew and family live near San Francisco,
and her daughter, Jennifer, lives in Dallas.
Linda is the director of emergency services for
the Salvation Army. She would love to hear
from classmates.
Thomas Pearson and wife Lorri reside in
Mount Morris, N.Y. They have four children:
Andrea, Scott, Mark, and Curtis. Tom retired
from the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation after 36 years in
the Region 8 office, which covers 11 counties
in the New York Finger Lakes area. For the last
15 years, he has been the regional water engineer.
Since retirement, Tom has been working
with the Livingston County Office of Emergency
Management Services on a part time
basis, writing grant applications, updating
emergency action plans, and developing GIS
capabilities. He also has served 22 years as a
deputy county fire coordinator specializing in
arson photography and management of the
county hazardous materials response team.
Judith (Meyer) Wagner has moved back to
Hawaii. She is a biology teacher and science
department chair for the new high school
division of Island Pacific Academy, an independent
school that opened in 2004 in Kapolei
in west Oahu.
1969
Madelyn (Herman) Busse received the Lutheran
School of Theology 2006 Distinguished
Alumni Award for Synodical and Churchwide
Ministry. This award recognized her years as
director for candidacy in the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America and her current service
as a diaconal minister and assistant to the
bishop in the Rocky Mountain Synod of the
ELCA. Madelyn served as a workshop leader at
the Institute for Liturgical Studies in 1996 and
will serve again as workshop leader at the
ELCA’s Worship Jubilee in August. She and
husband Dennis ’67 live in Denver and have
two sons and daughters-in-law and three
grandchildren.
John Hinsch and his wife, Judy, reside in
Plainview, N.Y. He is in his 32nd year of
service at Long Island Lutheran Middle and
High School and has begun his first year as
principal. The school has an enrollment of
more than 600 students in grades 6-12.
David Hollenbeck ’74 J.D. of Valparaiso has
been recognized as one of the Best Lawyers in
America and a 2006 Indiana Super Lawyer. He
practices in the areas of workers compensation
and local government law. He is a partner in
Blachly, Tabor, Bozik & Hartman—Lawyers on
the Square. David has been named an Indiana
Super Lawyer for the past three years.
ARCHIVE
LeRoy Nosbaum is chief executive officer of
Spokane Valley-based Itron Inc., which sells
metering equipment and software analysis
tools to water, natural gas and electric utilities
in the United States and overseas. He and his
wife, Brenda (Storin ’68), reside in Spokane,
Wash., and have two grown children.
Douglas Watkins ’82 M.A.L.S. of Valparaiso is a
financial consultant with Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans. He earned membership in the

2006 Million Dollar Round Table, based on his
sales, client service, ethical conduct and professional
knowledge. This is the fifth time he has
qualified for membership.
1970
Stephen Furbacher, president and chief operating
officer of Dynegy Inc., delivered the commencement
address at Valpo in December.
Dynegy operates power plants in 10 states.
Stephen joined the company in 1996. He also
has been active in many civic organizations
and is a member of Valpo’s College of
Engineering National Council.
Kurt and Valerie (Vahle) Krueger have moved
from Orange, Calif., to St. Louis, where Kurt
serves The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
as president of the Concordia University
System and executive director of the Board for
University Education. Prior to moving to St.
Louis, Kurt was a professor of English and
provost at Concordia University-Irvine; and
Valerie worked for the Pastoral Leadership
Institute. They have two children, Tim, a CU-
Irvine graduate; and Debbie, a junior at CU-
Irvine, who is studying to be a Lutheran high
school art teacher. Kurt was the speaker for the
December commencement ceremonies at
Concordia University Chicago (formerly
Concordia River Forest).
Paul Sieving ’03 D.Sc. has been elected to the
Institute of Medicine of the National Academy
of Sciences, one of the highest honors in the
fields of medicine and health. He is an ophthalmologist
and the director of the National
Eye Institute.
1971
Kendrick “Rick” Kirschenmann and his wife,
Jane, reside in Rapid City, S.D. They have been
married for 33 years and have four grown
children: Kristin, 27; Korey, 24; Kasey, 21; and
Kevin, 21. They are raising their grandson,
Zachary, who is 10. Rick works as a system
engineer for Black Hills Electric Cooperative.
Jane, a 1971 graduate of Concordia, St. Paul,
now works as a teacher aide in the public
school system with children who have learning
disabilities and/or behavioral problems.
Paul Otterstein lives in Germany. Since 1994 he
has been a pastor in the Lutheran Church in
Germany (North Elbian Church).
Michael Wilson and wife Mary live in Earlysville,
Va. Michael practices clinical social work
with adolescents and their families. He keeps
in touch with Mrs. [Marjorie] Robertson,
former social work instructor.
1972
Randy Carson of Sewickley Heights, Pa., was
awarded Power Quality Executive of the Year
by the consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, for his
proven ability to increase market share. Since
his appointment as president in 2000, the
electrical business of Eaton Corp., has more
than doubled.
Linda (Stuhler) Comerford’s daughter, Christen,
married Charles Kozlik last April, and her son,
William, married Pamela Kolkebeck in November.
Linda’s business, Comerford Consulting,
continues to flourish as she teaches written and
oral communication skills in the business
world.
Faye (Dunn ’72) Craighead of Concord, N.H.,
bicycled 56 miles in a day to raise money for
one of her favorite charities and to celebrate
her 56th birthday. Dale Volkerding ’71 of Grand
Rapids, Mich., bicycled 100 miles in one day to
celebrate that he could. Gale (Dunn ’73)
Volkerding bicycled 32 miles and said “that’s
enough.”
Russell Felten of Edina, Minn., was honored
with the Valparaiso University Alumni Service
Award, recognizing exemplary service to the
university. He is director of finance and administration
of Minneapolis Enameling Co.
He previously served as chief executive officer
of DTLL Inc. and successfully completed a
merger with GS Pharma Inc. Russell is a member
of the Valparaiso Admissions Network,
assisting in the recruitment of prospective
students.
Rick Mason ’76 J.D. of Shorewood, Ill., is an
attorney in Joliet, Ill. He concentrates mainly
on personal injury and workman’s compensation
cases. Rick was chosen as an associate
judge for Will County’s 12th circuit and took
the bench in December.
Wendelyn Wallace continues her career at the
Internal Revenue Service in Vernon Hills, Ill.,
where she has worked for more than 28 years.
She recently enjoyed a cruise in the Caribbean.
1973
James Borchers of St. Charles, Mo., is a principal
in the law firm Danna McKitrick. He is a
franchise attorney, whose practice also includes
estate planning, trade association concerns,
commercial transactions and municipal law. He
also serves as executive director and general
counsel for national trade associations including
the Concrete Anchor Manufacturers’
Association and the Powder Actuated Tool
Manufacturers’ Institute.
Tom Broadfoot and wife Jane live in Schaumburg,
Ill., with their children, Sarah, Dan and
Emily. They are members of Prince of Peace
Lutheran Church in Schaumburg. Tom recently
opened a banking center for Bank of
America in Barrington, Ill.
Kim Koehlinger of Leo, Ind., is president of the
International Guillain-Barre Association.
Robert Loesch lives in Gardena, Calif. He
works for the Department of Veterans Affairs,
Canteen Services. He and his wife, Tammie,
have four children and two grandchildren.
Diane (Kingery) Zuber of Granger, Ind., has
written an illustrated children’s Christmas
book with narrative CD and eight original
songs included. The book is titled “The Broken
Doll.” It is a Christmas story for children ages
4-9, and is available on Amazon.com.
1974
Priscilla (Colton) Andre and husband Todd live
in Alexandria, Va. Todd is a senior project
engineer for Alion Science and Technology. In
August their first granddaughter, Kirsten
Elizabeth, was born in Spartanburg, S.C.
Nancy (Hauswald) Cheston lives in Belfast,
Maine, where she owns a travel company that
specializes in Elderhostel programs. She manages
programs in Maine and New Hampshire,
as well as “Adventures Afloat” programs traveling
from Rhode Island to Chicago, Quebec
City and Montreal, and along the Maine coast.
1975
Nancy (Spriggs) Cook M.Ed. and her husband,
Gil, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
They have three daughters and six grandchildren.
Nancy has worked for the Valparaiso
community schools for 31 years. Gil retired
from Valparaiso University in 2004, after 44
years of service as a chemistry professor and
department chair.
ARCHIVE
Stephanie (Schwartz) Gerdes of Valparaiso has
joined Centier Bank as vice president of the
Wealth Management Group. Stephanie is a
certified public accountant and a certified
financial planner.
Mary (Rudasics) Harper ’75 J.D., Porter, Ind.,
circuit judge, was awarded the 2006 Robert J.
Kinsey Award for Outstanding Judicial Service
and Support to the Children and Youth of
Indiana. In addition to her responsibilities
with the circuit court, Mary serves as supervising
judge of the Porter County Family
Court. She also serves on the board of
33

34
directors of the Indiana Council of Juvenile
and Family Court Judges.
Elizabeth (Buescher) Milhans and husband Dale
reside in Milwaukee. She teaches the upper
elementary class at Downtown Montessori
Academy, a city-chartered public school in
Milwaukee. Dale and Elizabeth have two
grandsons, Xavier and Caleb, who live nearby.
Their son, William, who has achieved a perfect
ACT score, will graduate in 2007 from Rufus
King (1B) High.
Mark Nielsen and wife Cindi (Heinrich ’76)
enjoyed rekindling old friendships at the Valpo
reunion last October. They had a great time at
the old Betas (now Kappas) 50th celebration.
Mark is now retired, and they enjoy spending
summers in Wisconsin and winters in Florida.
Bob Pangrac of Irving, Texas, was appointed
sales manager by VSoft Corp., a global information
and technology provider of process
improvement tools for financial institutions.
Prior to joining VSoft, Bob was on the sales
management team at Critical Technologies in
Edmond, Okla. He also held various sales and
sales management positions at BancTec Inc. in
Irving, Texas. Bob received his M.B.A. degree
from Baldwin-Wallace University.
Robert Rabeler was named senior vice president
at Soil and Materials Engineers Inc. of
Plymouth, Mich. He has been active in a number
of professional organizations, serving on
the board of directors of the Professional
Firms Practicing in Geosciences and as president
of the American Council of Engineering
Companies/Michigan. Robert resides in
Holland, Mich.
1976
Nancy Larson recently was honored by Southwestern
Illinois College during its Foundation’s
Generations of Success program, which
recognizes the achievements of SWIC graduates.
Nancy is managing partner at the law
firm of Harter and Larson LLC. The firm
focuses on intergenerational estate planning
with emphasis on the issues of aging baby
boomers and their parents. After teaching for
one year at Saint Mary’s College in Notre
Dame, Ind., Nancy attended St. Louis University
School of Law and earned her J.D.
degree in 1980.
Thomas Macke ’79 J.D. is a Valparaiso attorney.
He was named to The Million Dollar Advocates
Forum, an organization of the top trial
lawyers in the nation. He is president of the
Indiana Trial Lawyers Association and is
licensed to practice before the Supreme Court
and state and federal courts in Indiana. He is a
certified mediator and has served as credentials
adviser to the Indiana State Bar Examiners.
Dan McAdams received two national awards
from the American Psychological Association,
the prestigious William James Book Award and
the Sarbin Award for notable achievements in
his field. The William James Book Award
recognizes the outstanding book in general
psychology across specialty areas, which Dan
received for “The Redemptive Self: Stories
Americans Live By.” He is a professor of human
development and social policy at Northwestern
University and serves on the Christ
College National Council.
Marilyn (Mueller) Otis and the other members
of the C-15 Cambridge group met for a reunion
at the home of Sharon and Arlin Meyer
during Homecoming Weekend 2006. The C-15
group, formed in the spring of 1975, meets
every five years. Members of the group include:
Arlin and Sharon Meyer, Sue (Pscion ’77)
Hubbard, Dan McAdams ’76, Anita (Wittmann
’76) Beste, Steve Beste ’77, Shari Krugler ’76, Ann
(Kraegel ’76) Waggaman, Mary (Toelke ’76)
Winkelbauer, and Jeff Nicholls ’76, ’79 J.D.
Barb Young J.D. of Valparaiso was recognized
for her involvement in the community with a
Quality of Life Award, which was given to her
by the Quality of Life Council.
1977
Greg Alles was awarded the Mircea Eliade
jubilee medal for contributions to the history
of religions by President of Romania Traian
Basescu, in a ceremony at Cotroceni Palace,
Bucharest, on Sept. 20, 2006.
Mark Dankof and his wife, Carmen, reside in
San Antonio. Mark serves as an editor for
Breaking All the Rules News and Old Right
Topic News, while finishing a post-graduate
thesis through Westminster Theological Seminary
of Philadelphia and providing pulpit
supply for several Lutheran churches in San
Antonio.
John and Sandra (Hart) Hallman reside in
Rockford, Ill. Carrying on the Valpo tradition
are their children: Jason ’06, and Adam, who
will graduate this year; and daughter Briana,
who will graduate in 2009; as well as John’s
two brothers, Paul ’86 and James ’89, and a
cousin, Janet Hallman ’88. Sandy’s brother is
Valpo professor Daniel Hart ’70.
Nancy (Groverman) Meyer J.D. of Valparaiso
completed an intensive Stephen Ministry
Leadership Training course in St. Louis. Joint
sponsors were Immanuel Lutheran Church
in Valparaiso and Peace Lutheran Church in
South Haven, Mich. Nancy is a public relations
consultant and assists the Immanuel congregation
as public relations adviser. She was a leader
in the capital campaign for Hilltop Community
Health Center. Her husband, Alfred,
died in January. (See obituary on Page 18.)
Mark Noffke of Naperville, Ill., is chief financial
officer of Financial Media Group Inc., a diversified
advertising and media company. Mark
joined the company in September and is a key
member of the company’s executive team.
Mark Priano and wife Candy (Merchant ’76)
reside in Chico, Calif. As indicated in the last
issue of VALPO, their daughter Kristie, 15, was
killed in January 2002. The family, including
their son, Steve, was traveling to Kristie’s basketball
game when a driver fleeing from the
police plowed into their minivan. All four were
taken to the hospital, but Kristie never regained
consciousness. Almost five years later, the
Prianos are still working to prevent this tragedy
from happening to others, as well as establishing
Kristie’s Nature Lab, an interactive environmental
classroom at the Chico Creek Nature
Center in Bidwell Park. (See Alumnote pullout
on Page 35.)
Mike Zulich M.Ed. and his wife, Olga, have two
children, Amy and David, and reside in Valparaiso.
He teaches fifth grade at Flint Lake
Elementary School. He is vice president of the
Indiana State Teachers Association and recently
received the ISTA Pacesetter Award, which
recognizes outstanding examples of courage,
commitment, innovation or dedication in
advancing the status of education and the
teaching profession in Indiana.
1978
Mary (Schultz) Meade and husband Bill, in
partnership with another local family in Parker,
Colo., opened Jocks & Jills, in March 2006.
Jocks & Jills is a sport-themed restaurant with
more than 80 flat-screen TVs. They have two
children, Emmett, 14, and Audrey, 13.
ARCHIVE
1979
Victor Streufert of Coto De Caza, Calif.,
assumed the position of chief financial officer,
treasurer and executive vice president of
Targus, maker of notebook computer cases and
accessories, in October. He has more than 25
years of experience in key finance leadership
roles. Prior to this new position with Targus, he
was chief financial officer at Water Pik.

1980
Mark Bonner and his wife, Zelda, who is from
South Africa, reside at West Point, N.Y., with
two of their three children. Jeffrey teaches at
the United States West Point Military Academy.
He is a professor of electrical and computer
science.
Cynthia (Tormoehlen) Halverson is presidentelect
of the Foundation of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America. She also was
appointed executive director-elect for ELCA
Development Services. Cynthia is currently
director of the ELCA Fund for Leaders in
Mission, a churchwide endowed seminary
scholarship program. She and husband Brian
reside in Oak Park, Ill., with their two daughters,
Madeleine and Eliza Grace.
Sandra (Bopp) Kinsella of Indianapolis was
honored with the Valparaiso University Alumni
Service Award, recognizing her exemplary
service to the university. Sandra is an assistant
professor of clinical anesthesia at the Indiana
University School of Medicine. She has served
as president of the VU Alumni Association
and has been a member of the University’s
Board of Directors. She also has been active
in the VU Guild.
Prianos Honor Daughter’s Life,
Pursue Law to Save Lives
Faith Ann (Johnson) McCoy and husband John
reside in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. Faith Ann and
John spent their honeymoon on a Southern
Caribbean cruise and visited Barbados, St. Lucia,
Antigua, St. Maartin and St. Thomas, along
with an extended time in San Juan. Faith Ann
is a therapist for juveniles and families of
abuse.
Nancy Nichols is an ordained minister in The
United Methodist Church. She serves at
Broadway Christian Parish, United Methodist
Church, South Bend, Ind. She has finished the
coursework toward her doctoral degree in
adult, higher and community education at Ball
State University. She is working on her dissertation
that looks at women’s ordination within
The United Methodist Church. Nancy apologizes
for losing touch with old classmates and
friends.
John Oelschlaeger has accepted a new position
as senior vice president and general manager
for L-3 Communications CyTerra Corp., based
in Orlando, Fla. He and wife Sandy (Bathje ’81)
live in Palm Harbor, Fla., with their three
daughters.
Leza (Gunthert) Olson joined the Department
of State’s Foreign Service in March 2004. She
Kristie Priano, 15, was laughing with her brother, Steve, in the back of the family
minivan on the way to her high school basketball game when a driver fleeing from
police in a residential neighborhood plowed into the family’s van. Kristie suffered
fatal injuries and died a week later on Jan. 28, 2002.
Her parents, Mark ’77 and Candy (Merchant ’76) Priano of Chico, Calif., talk about
how their daughter loved the Lord and say He gave Kristie the gift of joy. This joy and
Kristie’s love of animals is paving the way for “Kristie’s Nature Lab,” a new environmental
education classroom in the Chico Creek Nature Center, where Kristie—
an aspiring veterinarian—had volunteered as a junior naturalist.
The lab will help the center expand its kindergarten through 6th grade camps and
programs, where students learn about preserving the natural wonders of Northern
California. In the lab, students will participate in hands-on activities using computers,
microscopes and an interactive wall mural.
The Prianos also are pursuing legislation, known as Kristie’s Law, which is a preventative
measure that will save the lives of innocent bystanders and officers. Candy maintains
the kristieslaw.org Web site that is devoted to innocent victims of police
vehicular pursuits as well as research on this volatile issue.
worked two years at the U.S. Embassy in Accra,
Ghana, and is now working at the U.S. Embassy
in Tel Aviv, Israel. Leza was divorced in August
2003. Her two children live in southern
California.
Sara Zaknoen M.D. was appointed chief medical
officer for Cabrellis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
Before this appointment Sara was executive
director of Clinical Oncology Research for
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. in Florham
Park, N.J. Sara previously served as assistant
professor of medicine at the University of
Cincinnati Medical Center in Ohio, medical
director at the Barrett Cancer Center in Ohio,
and director of experimental therapeutics at
the Western Pennsylvania Hospital in
Pennsylvania.
MARRIAGE
Faith Ann Johnson and John McCoy Jr., Oct.
11, 2006, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
1981
Lloyd McClendon ’05 LL.D. of Chesterton, Ind.,
was inducted into the Little League Hall of
Excellence on Aug. 26, 2006, and presented
with a plaque by Little League president
Stephen Keener before the U.S. title game
ARCHIVE
For more information about the nature lab, visit chicocreeknaturecenter.com
or send an e-mail to mark.priano@fiserv.com.
Kristie Priano
Photo Provided
35

36
between Beaverton, Ore., and Columbus, Ga.
Lloyd’s five home runs in five at-bats at the
1971 Little League World Series stands as one
of the most memorable feats in the 60 years of
the tournament. He currently is hitting coach
for the Detroit Tigers.
Steve Misch moved to China a year and a half
ago and is enjoying his life in colorful
Shanghai.
Kathy Rich of Chesterton, Ind., is a registered
nurse. She was the recipient of the LaPorte
Regional Health System’s Excellence in Nursing
Award for 2006. This award recognizes
Kathy’s outstanding, above-and-beyond
service to the nursing profession.
Edelmira (Marquez) Turvaville and husband
Mitch have moved to northern Wisconsin.
Mira works as a medical technologist at a
rural hospital.
Wendy Wagner M.A.L.S. is employed at Kouts
Middle/High School. She is the sponsor for the
high school’s National Honor Society and an
original member of the Memorial Scholarship
Fund at the school.
1982
Mark Engen lives in Sweden. He is based out
of his home in the suburbs of Gothenburg,
Sweden, 500 yards from the ocean, as he works
as a contractor/consultant project leader for
engineering, IT. He currently is on a two-year
assignment in Stavanger, Norway, leading a
project in the engineering of oil platforms. He
hopes to spend this summer vacation rowing a
15-ft. boat through the fjords in southern
Norway. He spent last summer practicing near
his home in Sweden.
Gene Freudenburg heads the department of
mathematics at Western Michigan University.
Prior to this new position, Gene was a professor
of mathematics and assistant dean at Pott
College of Science and Engineering at the
University of Southern Indiana.
Kevin Klein of Hampden, Mass., was appointed
a Solutia Fellow I for his technical contributions
in the area of process safety and safety
instrumented systems at Solutia and ISA.
1983
Lynette (Morrison) Rayman is a registered nurse
with Porter Health System. She was selected by
Valparaiso University nursing students as a
recipient of the Student Choice Awards. The
awards honor practicing nurses who have
worked with VU nursing students during clin-
ical experiences and who “demonstrate exemplary
guidance, expertise and dedication to
caring for others.”
Jon Steinbrecher of Brentwood, Tenn., received
the Valparaiso University Alumni Achievement
Award, which recognizes those who have
achieved extraordinary success in their professions.
Jon served nine years as commissioner of
the Mid-Continent Conference and received
the Asa Bushnell Outstanding Commissioner
Award from the All-American Football Foundation.
He also served on several prominent
NCAA committees, including the Division I
Basketball Issues Committee, and was elected
president of the Collegiate Commissioner’s
Association.
Kim (Ortman) Van Wie, husband Ron and son
Tyler moved to North Carolina. Kim is the director
of the Learning Center at Gaston College.
She supervises the tutoring and testing
functions of the college, teaches faculty, and
develops new curricula.
David Walden and wife Elizabeth (Handrock)
reside in Shakopee, Minn. They recently formed
a new consulting and training company
called Sysnovation LLC. Information on the
company is available at www.sysnovation.com.
Contact Dave at david.walden@incose.org;
Beth at moosemn@aol.com.
1984
W. Thomas Blanchard is serving in the U.S.
Army as director of Army Linguist Support
Operations for the Intelligence and Security
Command at Fort Belvoir, Va. He is a reservist
with more than 20 years service and has been
on active duty since 2001.
Katie (Nagel) Brennan of Wellsboro, Pa., has
accepted the position of instructor of the
Musikgarten program in Wellsboro, Pa. The
Musikgarten program exposes young children
to various folk and classical music literature
and teaches through movement, games, singing,
and the use of rhythm instruments.
Dan Patlak, wife Dulce and their son, Teddy, 5,
reside in Wheeling, Ill. Dan is the president of
Landslide Group, a Republican political consulting
firm. He also is the assessor of Wheeling
Township.
Gwen (Stoller) Rinkenberger J.D. is a member of
the Porter Board of Trustees. She is a former
criminal federal and chief deputy prosecutor
and has been the county attorney for the last
11 years. She, husband Tim and their two sons,
Karl and Jeffrey, reside in Valparaiso.
Jean (Bridenbaugh) Schmidt, husband Jonathan
and their daughter, Rebecca, who is 5, live in
Gladstone, Mich. Jean serves as the
administrative assistant at First Lutheran
Church in Gladstone, where her husband is
the pastor. She also is on the Transformational
Ministry team of the Northern Great Lakes
Synod. Jean is the coordinator for
prayfaithfully.org, the synod’s prayer ministry
Web site. Prayfaithfully.org was featured in the
September 2005 issue of MOSAIC, the video
magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America.
Russ Stolle, The Woodlands, Texas, is senior
vice president of Global Public Affairs and
Communications for Huntsman Corp. Prior to
this position, he served as vice president and
deputy general counsel for the company.
1985
Beverly (Hetrick) Foster ’98 M.S.N. is the chief
executive officer for Regency Hospital of
Northwest Indiana and Porter County. Prior to
her work with Regency, she worked with RML
Specialty Hospital in Chicago in a senior
clinical management position. She also served
as chief executive officer of Select Specialty
Hospital of Northwest Indiana for three years.
Heather (Olson) Mann and her children, Emily,
14, and Geoffrey, 16, live in Orlando, Fla.
Heather works for The Boeing Co., supporting
the International Space Station program at
Kennedy Space Center, where Boeing is
completing the final assembly, checkout, and
processing of U.S. and international space
station elements before launch aboard the
Space Shuttle. She will receive her Master of
Science degree in engineering management
from the University of Florida in May.
Jodi (Medley) McMahon and husband Greg
have two children: Matthew, 11, and Valentina,
5. Valentina joined the McMahon family
through adoption in 2003. Jodi volunteers her
time with a number of organizations,
including Gift of Adoption Fund, which is a
nonprofit dedicated to helping families across
the country complete the adoption process by
providing need-based grants to help offset the
costs of adoption.
ARCHIVE
Staci (Dellamano) Scharnhorst and husband
Mike live in Troy, Ill., with their two daughters,
Maggie, 15, and Molly, 12. Staci is employed by
Washington University in St. Louis. She is the
nurse manager of the Pediatric Hematology/
Oncology clinic, which is located in St. Louis
Children’s Hospital. Mike is a store manager
for TJ Maxx.

Stephen Schudlich lives in Detroit with his wife,
Erin, and son Finn. He teaches graphic design
and illustration at Wayne State University and
College for Creative Studies. His new book,
“Tales of an Inner City Public School Substitute
Teacher,” is a short collection of adventures
and observations from urban public
schools. For more information, visit
www.cafepress.com/hoopt.22587168. His work
depicting his interest in urban environments,
as well as social conditions in Detroit, is included
in the “Shrinking Cities” exhibition at
the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery, Wayne State University,
which runs until March 16. Visit
www.art.wayne.edu for details.
BIRTH/ADOPTION
To Nancy (Moes) and Ben Llaneta J.D. of Glen
Ellyn, Ill.: adoption of twins Tyler and Joshua,
from the Philippines, in November 2005.
1986
Robert Bimler of Geneva, Ill., has written a new
book titled “Eureka!” It is a fun look at human
behavior and the use of the English language,
along with some pictures and quotes that can
be inserted into e-mails and blogs. Preview
chapters and purchase information are
available at www.eureka.2fortune.com.
Lisa Carmona and her husband, Luis Davila,
live in Lake Worth, Fla. Their sons are Andres,
11, and Alejandro, 4. Lisa is an attorney with
the Florida Equal Justice Center. Since 2004,
Lisa’s work has focused on providing legal
representation to victims of the 2004 and 2005
hurricanes.
Robert Dignam J.D. of Crown Point, Ind., is a
partner in the Merrillville, Ind., law firm,
Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP. He practices
with the firm’s trial, labor and employment
segments, handing commercial, labor, employment
and health care disputes.
Sheila E. Schroeder and Kate Burns collaborated
on a short documentary about an elderly
woman who found something unwanted in
her can of mustard greens. The documentary,
“Crunch!” has screened at eight festivals.
Nancy (Coleman) Young ’04 M.A.L.S. lives in
Porter, Ind. Her photograph of John Waite,
taken at his April 6, 2006, concert at the
Beverly Arts Center in Chicago, appears on the
inside jacket of Waite’s newest CD, “Downtown
Journey of a Heart.”
BIRTH
To Laura (Sund) Martin and husband Terry of
Gallatin, Tenn.: Drew Colin, born January
2005; joins brother Luke.
1987
Jan (Peters) Beck moved from Florida to her
parents’ home in Illinois. Her husband, Brad,
died in March 2006, and Jan passes along her
thanks to friends who extended such kindness
and support. Jan’s e-mail address is
jb012765tuffy@sbcglobal.net.
Cindy (Paetz) Cummons and husband Scott
reside in St. Louisville, Ohio, and have two
children, Lauren, 6, and Clayton, 4. Cindy
teaches at Central Ohio Technical College in
the Human Services Program. She looks
forward to the upcoming 20th reunion with
old friends. Friends may send her e-mail at
sclc@windstream.net.
Wende (Kline) Haecker and husband Mark ’88
reside in Apopka, Fla., with their four sons:
Aidan, Damon and Chase, and Brett.
BIRTHS
To Wende (Kline) Haecker and husband Mark
’88 of Apopka, Fla.: Aidan Joseph, born Sept.
22, 2006; joins brothers Damon, 12, Chase, 10,
and Brett, 6.
To Eric Miller and wife Satomi of Fukuoka,
Japan (and Traverse City, Mich.): Rio, born in
February 2006 in Fukuoka.
1988
Sandra (Tuers) Culhane, husband Bill and their
son, Will, 5, reside in Billings, Mont. Sandi is
the executive director of the Billings Symphony.
Sandi and her family enjoy Formula 1
races, touring with historic European automobiles,
and attending various music festivals.
Jonas Urba J.D. participated in a continuing
legal education seminar in January in Miami.
He spoke on partnership protection documents
including wills, trusts, and partnership
agreements. The seminar was sponsored by the
National Center for Lesbian Rights. Law
professors from the University of Florida and
the University of Miami participated with
senior counsel for the NCLR and other counselor
and mediator groups. Jonas and his wife,
Violetta, a 1985 Loyola University alumna,
reside in Brandon, Fla.
MARRIAGE
Michael McVey and Erika Nakamura, June 23,
2006, Lima, Peru.
BIRTH
To Stephen Podewell ’91 M.A.L.S. and wife
Bonnie of Plainwell, Mich.: Bryce Elden Von,
born Aug. 4, 2006; joins sisters Jean Angelique,
4, and Annaliese, 2.
1989
Dan Ablan, wife Maria and their daughter,
Amelia, reside in Schaumburg, Ill. Dan’s 11th
book was published this year on 3D computer
graphics, with the latest title covering digital
photography. He started his company, AGA
Digital Studios Inc., in 1994 and, since then,
has produced 3D animations for Fox Television,
NASA, United Airlines, the FAA and
others. (See story on Page 24.)
Chad and Sally (Shaffer) Bird reside in Adel,
Iowa. After completing his master’s degree in
public administration from Drake University,
Chad is completing his second year as city
administrator for the city of Adel. Sally teaches
in the district and is running for the local
school board. They have two daughters, Jenna,
14, and Lauren, who is 12.
Dana Pfeiffer of Springfield, Ill., is an artist
who works on faux and trope l’oeil painting.
She has hand-painted the ballroom ceiling of
the Springfield Crowne Plaza Hotel. Most of
her work is with glazings, but she also does
texturing or Venetian plaster. For more
information about her work, visit
www.danapfeiffer.com.
Kevork Piloyan lives in Montreal with his wife,
Maral, and their two children, Lory, 12, and
Roupen, 9. He works for Memotec as director
in the engineering department for research
and development.
ARCHIVE
Molly (Morecraft) Reed of Marshall, Ill., was
awarded a Lilly Foundation Teacher Creativity
Fellowship Grant. The title of her grant is
“Culture Shock—A Simple Way of Life—
Amish Life.” She illustrates the daily life of the
Amish community in primitive-style paintings
to bring out the focus of faith, family and
friendship. To contact Molly by e-mail, visit
mreedpublications@hotmail.com. Molly and
her husband have four children. She is a
former teacher at Boone Grove Elementary
and Portage Adult Education in Portage, Ind.
She currently teaches Title 1—Reading
Recovery for the Vigo County School Corp. in
Terre Haute, Ind.
37

38
Faith Uridel is a photographer whose work has
appeared in Dog Fancy, Popular Dog Series,
Ferret, Bird Talk and Rabbits magazines. Her
work also has appeared on magazine covers
and in the center spread of Horse Illustrated.
Faith resides in Union Mills, Ind.
BIRTHS
To Eric Arthur and wife Victoria of Brownsburg,
Ind., Paul Joseph, born June 4, 2006.
To Susan (Kauke) Marchant and husband
Nicholas of Sunbury, England: Piers Augustus
Nicholas, born April 20, 2006; joins sister
Helen, 4.
1990
Karen (Niederloh) Hazewinkel and her daughter,
Jessica, 8, reside in LaPorte, Ind. Karen
works in South Bend, Ind., as the controller
for Kay Equipment & Supply, Kay Industries
and ThermoSteam Systems. She also is active
in the LaPorte Symphony and Bethany
Lutheran Church. In October and November
2006, she was in the pit orchestra for the
LaPorte Little Theatre’s production of
“Camelot.”
Dan Kovac, wife Rachel and their son, Jude,
reside in San Antonio. Dan is an assistant vice
president for USAA, a financial services
company.
Michael Utzinger of Hampden-Sydney, Va., was
promoted to associate professor of religion at
Hampden-Sydney College. His book, “Yet
Saints Their Watch Are Keeping: Fundamentalists,
Modernists, and the Development of
Evangelical Ecclesiology, 1887-1937,” was published
by Mercer University Press in October
2006.
Stephanie Woell and her husband, Jim, live in
Palatine, Ill., and have four daughters. They
celebrated 15 years of marriage last summer.
Steff stays at home with the children and
volunteers at church and school. Jim is the
principal of Attea Middle School in Glenview.
Cynthia (Tormoehlen ’80) Halverson this past fall was chosen president-elect of
the Foundation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and appointed
executive director-elect for ELCA Development Services.
“Through each stage of my life, I become increasingly aware of how the Valpo
experience has shaped who I am and how I live,” she says.“It was at Valpo that I
first got an inkling that there was more to the college experience than preparing
for a job. [Professor] Carl Galow consistently affirmed this sense of vocation and
call. Long after graduation, he came back into my life and was instrumental in
connecting me with a Lutheran Social Service agency in Illinois. It was a great
match for me and the first of many rewarding professional opportunities in the
church that led to my work with the ELCA Foundation.”
Halverson joined the ELCA Foundation in 1999 as the first director of the Fund
for Leaders in Mission. In its first seven years, the fund raised $28 million in
gifts and deferred gift commitments to support individuals preparing for
ministry leadership.
The foundation conducts a program of major gifts and deferred giving on behalf
of the church and manages more than $450 million in endowment funds,
charitable gift annuities and trusts. ELCA Development Services oversees and
directs efforts to support ELCA churchwide ministries and coordinates financial
development work for the churchwide organization.
“The work ahead involves building on an already sound resource development
program,” Halverson says.“There is great opportunity for connecting people with
the ministries of the ELCA and facilitating generosity for the sake of the church
and all of its ministry expressions.”
1991
Allen Fore J.D. has joined Fleishman-Hillard
International Communications as vice president
in the public affairs practice in St. Louis.
Allen focuses on coordinating public affairs
and public relations counsel for corporate
clients in energy and financial services sectors.
Before joining the company, Allen served as
the U.S. Secretary of Education’s deputy
regional representative in Chicago.
Joel Groenewold is a partner in the law firm of
Kopka, Landau and Pinkus. Susie (Fuller ’90)
runs her family business. They reside in
Hinsdale, Ill., and have six children: Spencer,
11; Noah, 10; Gretchen, 9; Maggie, 7; Elizabeth,
6; and Douglas, 4. The Groenewolds
welcome e-mail at groenewold123@
comcast.net.
Andrew Nunemaker of Milwaukee won the
Valparaiso University Outstanding Young
Alumnus Award, which recognizes alumni
Halverson ’80 Elected President of Lutheran Foundation
ARCHIVE
Cynthia (Tormoehlen ’80) Halverson
Photo Provided

under the age of 40 who have distinguished
themselves. Andy is chief executive officer of
EMSystem, a leading developer of Web-based
communications and resource management
solutions for emergency medical services.
Andy serves on the executive committee of the
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Board of
Directors and is a member of Valpo’s College
of Engineering National Council.
Kara O’Leary M.A.L.S. of South Bend, Ind., is
assistant director for recreation facilities and
director of sports camps for Notre Dame’s
athletic department. She is president of Saint
Mary’s College alumnae board and was
appointed to a two-year term as a trustee.
Steven Ravotto, a 15-year veteran of the
Mishawaka (Ind.) Police Department, has been
appointed assistant police chief for the services
division. He is responsible for the oversight of
the records division of the department, as well
as the payroll, claims processing, budgeting
and other operations-related tasks within the
department.
Charlotte Strahm ’95 M.S.N., ’06 (honorary) of
LaPorte, Ind., was recognized with the
Valparaiso University O.P. Kretzmann Award,
which recognizes university employees who
have performed long and exemplary service to
the university. Charlotte is a nurse at LaPorte
Hospital. From 1993 to 2005, she served as an
assistant professor of nursing and has conducted
research on caring for children with
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Charlotte has served on the planning committee
of the Northwest Indiana Nursing Research
Consortium and won a Payne Scholarship
from the Indiana Nurses Foundation.
Jennifer (Urso) Taylor and husband Jim live in
Arlington Heights, Ill. They have two daughters,
Jessica, 6, and Julia, 4. Jennifer owns a
business in Arlington Heights with her family.
BIRTHS
To Erik Benson and wife Annette of Downers
Grove, Ill.: Michael August, born on May 2,
2006.
To Martha (Vasicek) Bills and husband Michael
of Lincoln Park, Mich.: Matthew Michael,
born Oct. 26, 2006; joins brother Michael, 3.
To Russ and Kathy (Kentopp ’93) Carr of St.
Louis: Arthur, born April 2, 2005.
To Christy (Merkner) Pietrzak and husband
Tom of New Carlisle, Ind.: Zoe Grace, April
16, 2006.
1992
Julie (Potts) Grindle and husband David live in
Bloomington, Ind., with their children, Will, 7,
and Tom, 6. Julie is the organist and choir
director at Faith Lutheran Church, as well as
the assistant conductor of the Bloomington
Chamber Singers. David is the production
manager for Indiana University’s Theater
Department.
J. Heydt Philbeck J.D. and his wife, Caroline
(Beattie), live in Raleigh, N.C. Heydt joined the
law firm Bailey & Dixon LLP. He was named
North Carolina Super Lawyer by Law &
Politics magazine and Legal Elite by the
Business North Carolina magazine for 2007.
Heydt and Caroline have five children.
BIRTHS
To Lani (McGawn) and Greg Fisher ’93 of
Valparaiso: Christopher, born Nov. 19, 2005;
joins sister Caroline, 2.
To Kristine (Lloyd) Moser and husband Joseph
of Hellertown, Pa.: Kimberly Paige, born on
June 30, 2006; joins brother Joseph Patrick, 2.
To J. Heydt Philbeck J.D. and wife Caroline
(Beattie) of Raleigh, N.C.: daughter Sterling
Boone, born Nov. 16, 2006; joins two sisters
and two brothers.
1993
Erin (Kerby) Davis and husband Brian live in
Burr Ridge, Ill., with their two daughters,
Maddie, 3, and Ashley, who will be 1 on
March 25.
Sarah (Hollenberger) DeYoung and husband
Peter live in Kenosha, Wis. Peter is a lieutenant
in the U.S. Navy and works at Great Lakes
Naval Hospital. Sarah is a stay-at-home mom
for their two sons, Alexander, 4, and Samuel, 1.
Matthew Jennings founded Global Tier Inc.
in 1999. The company designs Web-based
software to remotely monitor the operation,
performance, efficiency and energy consumption
of various equipment.
Rebecca Mentzer completed her Master of
Science degree in science education from
Montana State University. She teaches at The
Wellington School in Columbus, Ohio.
Leslie (Camp) Spitler and husband Kurt live in
Hammond, Ind. Leslie has worked in social
services at area nursing homes for the past six
years. She also has worked for Hospice of the
Calumet Area in Munster, Ind. She recently left
full-time employment to homeschool their
children, Konrad, 6, and Rebecca, 2.
BIRTHS
To Michelle (Sloan) Pavasars and husband John
of Diamond Bar, Calif.: Ethan Janis, born Nov.
1, 2006; joins sister Emily.
To Lora (Grandrath) Ries ’96 J.D. and husband
Matthew ’95 of Alexandria, Va.: Alexandria
Rose, born Sept. 8, 2006.
To Betsy (Kerr) Riley and husband Michael of
Akron, Ohio: Megan Julia, born Oct. 21, 2006.
1994
Lynda (Sloane) Bennett J.D., formerly a member
of the law firm of Lowenstein Sandler PC, in
Roseland, N.J., has joined the firm of Robertson,
Freilich, Bruno & Cohen as a partner. In
2004, Lynda was recognized by the New Jersey
Law Journal’s “40 under 40” as one of the
young attorneys in New Jersey “worth watching,
not only for what they have achieved so
far in their careers but more so for the potential
they show to be among the leaders of the
New Jersey Bar in the future.”
Jeff Gordon ’98 J.D. lives in Raleigh, N.C. His
first book, “The Software Licensing Handbook,”
was recently released. For more information,
visit www.licensinghandbook.com.
Wendy (Fabricius) Kalan and her two children,
Alexander, 6, and McKenna, 3, reside in Portland,
Ore. Wendy’s husband, Mike, had been
promoted to plant superintendent for Parker
Hannifin’s Cylinder Division Plant in Portland
in March 2006. In September 2006, Mike was
killed in a bicycle accident. Memorial services
were held for Mike in Portland, Madison, Wis.,
and Wapakoneta, Ohio.
Karen (Kooy) Phillips of Lansing, Ill., along
with five other Kappa Psi Omega alumnae
have been getting together for annual reunions
for the past 10 years at various locations in the
United States. The last reunion was in Portland,
Ore. In addition to Karen, other Valpo
alumnae include: Annie (Brondos) Booth,
Mukilteo, Wash.; Debbie (Beattie ’95) Hoff,
Sussex, Wis.; Dawn Trautman, New York; Nicole
(Strand) Bartley, Naples, Fla.; Heidi (Feller)
Nordling, Federal Way, Wash.
ARCHIVE
Jeff Sargent graduated from Chase College of
Law at Northern Kentucky University with a
J.D. in law in 2005. He was admitted to the
Ohio bar association in November of 2006. He
works at Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati.
39

40
Jeffrey Wrage J.D. has been named to The
Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an organization
of the nation’s top trial lawyers. He has
been listed in Who’s Who in American Law
since 2003 and is licensed in the state and federal
courts of Indiana and Illinois. He is the
author of numerous articles on personal
injury law.
MARRIAGE
Gina Guarnaccia and Wayne Deckworth, Sept.
6, 2006, Romeoville, Ill.
BIRTHS
To Kristin (Thoney) Barletta and husband
Philip of Raleigh, N.C.: Jack, born on June 10,
2006.
To Audrey (O’Reilly) Loethen and husband Bart
of Valparaiso: Rudy Luke, born Oct. 5, 2006;
joins siblings Gwen, 5, Jill, 2, and Wyatt, 3.
To Julie (Bufkin) Williams and husband Eric of
Superior, Colo.: Tyler, born May 25, 2006;
joins brothers T.J. and Alex.
1995
Emily (Fieselmann) Griffin works at the University
of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in the
nursing research and quality management
division. She is hosting a national evidencedbased
practice conference in April.
Melissa (Enloe) Holtan of Crown Point, Ind.,
was promoted to assistant vice president, retail
office operations, at Munster-based Citizens
financial Bank. She has been with Citizens
since 1997 and most recently served as human
resources director.
Amy (Flammang) Jacobs is a clinical supervisor
for Bosley Chicago. She is recruiting individuals
for registered nurses.
Kerri Kuester earned her master’s degree at
MIS from the University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee School of Business. She worked at
a technology company for financial services
for more than eight years. After serving as
the chair of the Wisconsin Republican Young
Professionals, and on the state Executive Committee
of the Republican Party of Wisconsin,
she decided to make a career change to public
service. She recently relocated to Washington,
D.C., to accept a Presidential appointee position
for the Department of Defense, working
for the headquarters of the Department of the
Army at the Pentagon.
Scott Lipke J.D. was elected to the Missouri
House of Representatives in 2002 and re-
elected in 2004. He ran unopposed for a third
term in November 2006. He serves as chair of
the Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee,
and is a member of the Judiciary Committee
and the Appropriations Committee for
General Administration. In addition to his
legislative duties, Scott is of counsel with the
law firm of Jones & Deimund LC in Cape
Girardeau, Mo., after serving five years as an
assistant prosecuting attorney for Cape
Girardeau County. He and wife Ashley have
two sons, Parker, 4, and Layton, 2.
MARRIAGE
Missy Willson and Dan Diedrich, Aug. 5, 2006,
LaPorte, Ind.
BIRTHS
To Laura (Marks) Christensen and husband Ken
of Urbana, Ill.: Allison Marie; joins brother
Kenny Jr., 4.
To Kim (Ostrander) Epting and husband
Brandon ’93 of Roselle, Ill.: Kyra Emily, born
on July 26, 2006; joins sister Karly.
To Dawn (Leonhardt) Morand and husband
Matthias of Sulzbach/Ts., Germany: Jake
Valentin, born on June 25, 2006.
To Natalie (Holz) Warden and husband James of
Chicago: Gabriel Bryce, born Oct. 25, 2006.
To Dan Zendzian and wife Shannon of
Marietta, Ga.: Gavin William, born Oct. 1,
2006; joins brother Ryne, 1.
1996
Mark Colosimo and wife Laura (Williams ’97)
reside in Harvard, Ill. Laura works part time
and cares for their son, Vinny, who is 1. Mark
is managing editor for the NorthWest News
Group family of Newspapers and Web sites
based in Crystal Lake, Ill.
Katherine (Williams) Dean is the regional
managing director and a senior wealth planning
strategist for The Wealth Planning Center
at Wells Fargo Private Client Services in San
Francisco. Husband Tim is a project manager
with Bovis Lend Lease. Katherine, Tim and
their daughter, Grace, reside in San Francisco
by Golden Gate Park.
James “J.P.” Hanlon J.D., former assistant U.S.
attorney, has joined the Indianapolis office of
Baker & Daniels LLP. He focuses his practice
in the areas of white collar criminal defense,
government investigations and internal
corporate investigations. Before joining Baker
& Daniels, J.P. served almost five years as an
assistant U.S. attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s
Office in Indianapolis.
Jeff Held and his wife, Holly, reside in Tustin,
Calif., with their children, Sam, 3, and Amy, 2.
Jeff is an assistant professor of music and
director of instrumental activities at Concordia
University where he conducts the
Concordia Wind Orchestra.
Christopher Lehmann and wife Virginia
(Bowden ’95) reside in Urbana, Ill. They have a
son, Paul, who is 1. Christopher recently completed
his Ph.D. in civil and environmental
engineering at the University of Illinois,
Urbana-Champaign. He works as an atmospheric
research scientist at the Illinois State
Water Survey. Virginia teaches organic
chemistry at Parkland College.
Heather (Danek) McHale and husband Kevin
have two children, Reannon, 2; and Shane,
who will be 2 in June. Kevin works as media
liaison for the village of Romeoville, Ill.
Heather works part time for a shelter for
victims of domestic violence. They live in
Bolingbrook, Ill. Their e-mail addresses are:
mchalekevin@hotmail.com and
heathermchale@hotmail.com.
Jorie (Miglioratti) Riesen and husband Tim
reside in Chino Hills, Calif., and have a daughter,
Sophie. Jorie is a therapist at Hillview
Acres Children’s Home. Tim recently completed
a Ph.D. degree in political science at
the Claremont Graduate University, and is
employed by the Department of Defense.
Gail (Mullarkey) Valtier resides in Gilbert, Ariz.
She recently made a lucrative career change
and now works for Staubach Retail (as in
Roger Staubach) in the field of commercial
real estate.
BIRTHS
To Katherine (Williams) Dean and husband
Tim of San Francisco: Grace Elizabeth, born
on July 24, 2006.
ARCHIVE
To Jennifer (Fisher) Lee and husband David of
Frankfort, Ill.: Michael Robert, born July 10,
2006; joins brother Matthew and sister Kaitlyn.
To Jamie (Papendorf) and David Palau ’94 of
Neenah, Wis.: Olivia Kate, born Sept. 26, 2006;
joins sister Lauren, 3.
To Elizabeth (Meyer) Pittman and husband
Darren of Arlington, Va.: James Christian,
born April 3, 2006.
To Barbara (McCasland) Taylor and husband
Scott of Duluth, Ga.: Joshua Raymond, born

on May 11, 2006; joins siblings Alexandra, 4,
and Matthew, 2.
To Ryan Williams and wife Dawn of Burnsville,
Minn.: Ava Madeline, born July 12, 2006.
To Adam Zolvinski and wife Julie of LaPorte,
Ind.: Megan Marie, born July 1, 2006; joins
brother Gavin, 3.
1997
Tracy (Campbell) Andrews and husband Doyll
live in Crown Point, Ind. Doyll is employed as
an attorney for State Farm Litigation Counsel
in Crown Point. Tracy is the clinic director and
director of women’s health at Performance
Physical Therapy in Portage, Ind.
Michelle (Roscoe) Cicillian of Hobart, Ind.,
and her husband, Joshua, have two children:
Amanda, 6, and Lauren, 3. Michelle volunteers
for Meals on Wheels and has directed the
vacation Bible school program at Emmanuel
Lutheran Church in Merrillville, Ind. She also
is a Sunday school teacher.
Daniel and Leah (Haubensak) Pedersen reside in
Villa Park, Ill. Dan works for GKN Walterscheid
in Woodridge, Ill., as a product development
engineer. Leah completed the accelerated
B.S.N. program at Rush University
Medical Center in 2004, and now works as a
registered nurse in the Neurosurgical Intensive
Care Unit at Rush University Medical Center
in Chicago.
MARRIAGE
Tracy Campbell and Doyll Andrews, Feb. 11,
2006, Hawaii.
BIRTHS
To Brian and Edie (Pekich) Lenz of Tinley Park,
Ill., Caleb Michael, born Nov. 3, 2006.
To Chris Smith and wife Victoria of Lorton,
Va.: Torquil Charles, born Sept. 1, 2006.
1998
Christine Bouffard recently accepted a position
as health/physical education instructor at
Waubonsee Community College in Sugar
Grove, Ill. For the last two years, she has been
an instructor in kinesiology and physical education
at Northern Illinois University. She still
plays and coaches fastpitch softball. Christine
earned her master’s degree in kinesiology at
the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2000. She
earned her K-12 certification in physical
education and health at Northern Illinois
University in 2004. She is currently pursuing
her M.S.Ed. degree in physical education.
Scarlett (Delya) Clark received her special
education endorsements and master’s degree
in educational administration from Governors
State University. She taught three years of
grades K-8 special education at Milford Grade
School in Milford, Ill. She then taught five
years of grades 2-5 special education at Manteno
Elementary School. Scarlett is now in her
first year as assistant principal of Manteno
Elementary School. She is married and has a
son, who is 1.
Clinton Desmond lives in Lansing, Mich. He
is a doctoral student in choral conducting at
Michigan State University. He also is the director
of music at First Presbyterian Church of
Lansing. Last fall, he starred in the world
premiere of Nancy Van de Vate’s chamber
opera, “Where the Cross is Made,” which was
also recorded on the Vienna Masterworks label.
Lori (Rost) and Dan Dodson reside in Chicago.
Attending their Sept. 3, 2006, wedding were
alumni Ann (Grefe ’98) Zaremba, Josh Lee ’98,
Noel Koontz ’98, Don Schrader ’98, and Rob
Selin ’99, and Mike Anderson ’00.
Samantha (Bradtmiller) Lucas and husband
Tony live in Naples, Fla. Samantha is a teacher
of Spanish II with the Florida Virtual School,
which allows her to teach from home through
the Internet. This enables her to stay at home
with son, Anthony “A.J.”
Heidi (Bardenhagen) Oldenburger, husband
Sasha and their son, Karsten, reside in Bloomington,
Ill. Karsten was the first baby born in a
birthing tub in Bloomington/Normal, Ill.
Tracey Wetzstein J.D. of Gary, Ind., has joined
the Valparaiso law firm of Blachly, Tabor,
Bozik and Hartman—Lawyers on the Square.
She practices in the areas of personal injury
litigation and Social Security disability benefits
law. Prior to her new position, she was an
associate attorney in the Valparaiso law firm of
Kenneth J. Allen and Associates and at Ruman,
Clements and Holub in Hammond, Ind. Her
husband, James, is the Valparaiso University
associate pastor and associate dean of the
Chapel of the Resurrection. They have a son
and are active with South Shore Arts.
Kelly (Evans) Wood and husband John ’98 live
in Plainfield, Ill. John took a promotion as a
specialty health care representative with Pfizer
Opthalmics in Plainfield. Kelly is a medical
center professional promoting the injections
Lovenox and Hylagan with the OSG Specialty
Group of Sanofi-Aventis Pharmaceuticals.
MARRIAGES
Lori Rost and Dan Dodson ’99, Sept. 3, 2006,
Schaumburg, Ill.
Michael Suarez and Keri Payne, Sept. 3, 2006,
South Bend, Ind.
BIRTHS
To Samantha (Bradtmiller) Lucas and husband
Tony of Naples, Fla.: Anthony Scott, born Sept.
30, 2006.
To Heidi (Bardenhagen) Oldenburger and
husband Sasha of Bloomington, Ill.: Karsten
Aleksandr, born July 17, 2006.
To Kelly (Evans) and John Wood ’98 of
Plainfield, Ill.: Harper Lawrie, born July 24,
2006.
1999
Azrina Abdullatif works as a design engineer
with Lysaght Galvanized Steel Bhd, specializing
in designing and fabricating galvanized steel
poles, high mast, power transmission poles,
highway guardrails and gantries. She and
husband Nazrin Cheong have two daughters,
Sarah, 6, and Syameen, 2. They reside in Perak,
Malaysia.
Manisa (Phophairat) Baker ’05 M.S.N. passed
the critical care certification and received her
CCRN. She is pursuing CCNS certification
and continues to work in the CNS role at
Evanston Hospital for the cardiovascular unit.
Her focus is on the educator role, and she
enjoys teaching various classes. She helped
develop a graduate nurse residency program
and developed curriculum for the classroom.
Manisa has worked with several Valpo nursing
graduates in her new role.
Christopher Brown of New York City was the
winner of the Valparaiso University Outstanding
Young Alumnus Award, which recognizes
alumni under the age of 40 who have distinguished
themselves. Christopher is a program
director for the National Foundation for
Teaching Entrepreneurship, responsible for
managing the organization’s programs in New
York City. He won the foundation’s National
Leadership Award in 2005, and was named a
Coro Leadership New York Fellow. He also is
co-founder of Youth Action, an agency in
South Africa that promotes a spirit of service
among the nation’s young people.
ARCHIVE
Jeff Carmean of Canton, Ohio, works for
General Electric and also is completing his
M.B.A. degree at the University of Akron.
41

42
Jessica Chapman of Escondido, Calif., earned
her Ph.D. degree from the University of
California at Santa Barbara in June 2006. She
has been hired as an assistant professor at
UCSB. She also has been appointed director of
the Center for Cold War Studies at UCSB.
Katea Frey graduated from Georgetown
University Law Center in May 2006. She is
practicing law as an associate at Quarles &
Brady Streich Lang, LLP in Phoenix, Ariz.
Sarah (Hamlin) and Aaron Gin graduated from
Northwestern University in June 2006. Aaron
completed his Ph.D. in electrical engineering,
and Sarah finished up her M.B.A. degree. In
Albuquerque, N.M., where they reside, Aaron
is a researcher for Sandia National Laboratories,
and Sarah works for Wells Fargo Bank as
a commercial lender.
Anna (Butkovsky) Hearn J.D. is an attorney with
Blachly, Tabor, Bozik and Hartman—Lawyers
on the Square—in Valparaiso. She focuses her
practice on civil rights, child welfare, employment
law, constitutional law and other federal
litigation matters. She also advises employers
on workplace policies and writes employee
manuals.
Tracy Larsen lives in Chicago. She completed
a post-graduate fellowship in pharmacoeconomics
and outcomes research at the University
of Michigan in 2005 and holds a master’s
degree in public health from Indiana University.
She is a senior analyst for Pharmacy
Benefit Management and continues to have a
passion for providing good health care and for
serving God.
Michael Limmer and wife Farrah live in Chapel
Hill, N.C. He is pursuing his master’s degree in
sport administration at the University of
North Carolina.
Tara (Stormoen) Martinez and husband Mike
reside in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Tara is the
director of student life at Minneapolis Community
and Technical College. Her e-mail
address is tara.martinez@minneapolis.edu.
Sarah (Burow) May and husband Charles
“Chip” reside in Arcadia, Mich., where Chip
serves as camp director for Camp Arcadia.
They have a daughter, Grace. (In 1997 Chip
served as a counselor in VU’s Office of
Admission.)
Errin (Jeffes) Mills and husband Michael live in
St. Petersburg, Fla. They plan to relocate soon
to Little Rock, Ark. Errin is the coordinator of
university housing at the University of South
Florida, and Michael is an external wholesaler
with Franklin Templeton Investments with
responsibility for Arkansas and northern
Louisiana.
Dawn Millsap has relocated to Stamford, Conn.
She is employed by Liberty Mutual Insurance
Group and sells auto, home and life insurance.
Sarah (Blum) Mittelberg and husband Christian
reside in Weehawken, N.J., with their two sons,
Max and Lucas. They celebrated five years of
marriage. Their e-mail address is
mittelberg@hotmail.com.
Julie (Tajkowski) Pelletier of Granger, Ind.,
completed her doctor of psychology in clinical
psychology at the University of Indianapolis in
2003. She is affiliated with Psychology Associates
PC in Mishawaka, Ind., as a clinical psychologist.
She provides assessment and treatment
services for children, ages 6-18, as well as
testing for ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities,
personality, and emotional/behavioral issues.
Andrea (Swanson) Popp and husband Daniel
reside in LaPorte, Ind. Andrea graduated with
her master’s degree in business administration
from Purdue University in May 2006. She is
the director of marketing for FosteReprints in
Michigan City, Ind.
Katarina Repkova received her master’s degree
in East Asian languages and cultures from The
University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, in
2005. She is employed in the export/import
division of BenQ Czech Republic, Brno, Czech
Republic.
Sara (Bulmahn) Scavone and her husband,
Nickolas, live in Fort Wayne, Ind. Sara is a registered
nurse for the Rehabilitation Hospital of
Fort Wayne. She obtained her CRRN
certification in July 2005.
MARRIAGES
Sara Bulmahn and Nickolas Scavone, Oct. 15,
2005, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Carrie Holmes and Alex Esser, July 30, 2005,
Janesville, Wis.
BIRTHS
To Jennifer Baker-Trinity and husband Nathan
’00 of Winger, Minn.: Thomas John, born May
27, 2006.
To Sarah (Burow) May and husband Charles of
Arcadia, Mich.: Grace Ann, born June 6, 2005.
To Sarah (Blum) Mittelberg and husband
Christian of Weehawken, N.J.: Lucas Helmut,
Sept. 13, 2006; joins brother Max, 2.
To Sarah (Opferman) Quish and husband
Thomas ’98 of Wilmette, Ill.: Emmett Thomas,
born on Sept. 13, 2006.
2000
Adrienne Baker completed her master’s degree
in English composition and communication at
Central Michigan University. In June she
completed six years of teaching high school
English at Valley Lutheran in Saginaw, Mich.
She currently works as an instructor in English
at Saginaw Valley State University.
Kelly Everling of East Lansing, Mich., began the
public relations doctoral program at Michigan
State University in the fall of 2006. Her e-mail
address is keverling@hotmail.com.
Pamela (Kreeger) Frushour and husband Brian
live in the Boston area. Pamela works at MIT
as a postdoctoral fellow, and Brian is a
research associate with Genstruct Inc.
Angie (Perino) Hager and husband Tim live in
Castle Rock, Colo. Angie is an event planner
for the American Cancer Society. Tim works at
radio station KOA as an account executive for
the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies
radio network.
Alissa (Resop) Kohlhoff J.D. won the Outstanding
Young Lawyer Award at the Indiana Bar
Association’s 2006 conference. The award
recognizes a young attorney who epitomizes
values in the Indiana Oath of Attorney. Alissa
is an attorney with Beckman, Kelly & Smith.
Husband Paul is an assistant professor of law
and director of Valpo’s Tax Clinic.
Jeremy Linke was promoted to senior engineer
with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly. Jeremy has
been with the firm since 2001 and is a part of
the aviation group.
ARCHIVE
Erica (Kaufman) Palys was chosen to be the
chief resident for the 2007-’08 year at Cedars-
Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Kevin Palys’ independent film, “Flourish,” has
worldwide DVD distribution. The official site
for the movie is www.flourishmovie.com.
Valerie (Laffoon) Schafer of Plymouth, Ind.,
was featured in the 15th annual Loveland
Sculpture Invitational Show in Loveland, Colo.
The show had more than 500 artists
participating. Valerie has been working in

onze for about six years. After graduating
from Valpo, she studied at Indiana University
South Bend with noted artist Tuck Langland.
Jacqueline (Nordin) and Andrew Schuetze live in
Streamwood, Ill. Andy passed his professional
engineering exam last April. He works for the
Illinois Department of Transportation in the
Bureau of Traffic.
London-Silas Shavers teaches music at Rhodes
College, Southwest Tennessee Community
College and Northwest Mississippi Community
College. He earned his master’s degree in
music from Western Michigan University and
is working on a doctorate in the same field at
the University of Memphis. He is a classically
trained clarinet player. He performed with the
Rhodes College Singers at Carnegie Hall in
New York City last November. (See story on
Page 13.)
Andrea (Brehmer) West of Lindenhurst, Ill., is
an independent beauty consultant with Mary
Kay Cosmetics. She is a future director of
Andrea’s Angels.
MARRIAGE
Pamela Kreeger and Brian Frushour, Aug. 26,
2006, Peoria, Ill.
BIRTHS
Music isn’t hard to find on the Valparaiso University
campus. Whether you go to a concert at the VU Center for
the Arts, hear your floormates singing in the dorm, or listen
to the choir in the Chapel of the Resurrection, it’s
something that is ever present.
For Will Gundersen ’88, of Norfolk, Va., music was just a
hobby while attending Valpo. But today, he’s part of a
thriving band in which he plays guitar and sings. His wife,
Deborah, sings, plays percussion and dances.
“I started the band Bigger Dream in 2001 by going to open
mic nights in bars and singing my original songs,” he says.
“I met a lot of musicians by posting ads on local music
store Web sites.”
An electrical engineering major at Valpo, Gundersen’s day
job is as a fire protection sales engineer. While VU provided
the formal education for his career, he also was able to hone
his musical skills through his fraternity Delta Sigma Phi.
“I had a band with my Delta Sigma Phi brothers, Dave
Perrin ’86 (The Differents) and John Frey ’88 (Freewill).
We played a lot of the frat parties.”
To Melissa (Cwik) Ernst and husband Todd ’00
of Aurora, Ill.: Lilianna Helen, born on March
31, 2006.
To Betsy (Stedman) Hawley and husband Keith
of Jacksonville, Fla.: John Patrick, born Aug.
10, 2006.
To Sandra (Simpson) Martin and husband
Craig of Porter, Ind.: Fiona Gwen, born Aug.
23, 2006.
To Rob and Jessica (Irvin) Schnake of Madison,
Wis.: Kylan Jacob, born on June 7, 2006.
To Jacqueline (Nordin) Schuetze and husband
Andy of Streamwood, Ill.: Julia Marie, born
July 8, 2006.
Musical ‘Dream’ Comes True for Gundersen ’88
So what does he find most rewarding about being
in a band?
“[I enjoy] performing live and watching people
have a great time dancing, clapping and cheering.
You can feel the energy as people listen to our
music and appreciate what we do.”
For Bigger Dream pictures, audio
clips, schedule and song list, visit
www.thebiggerdream.com.
2001
Matthew and Christina (Horst) Anderson reside
in Albuquerque, N.M. Matthew passed his
professional engineering exam in June 2006.
He also was promoted to an Air Force captain
in April 2006. He serves as chief of explosive
safety engineering at the Air Force Safety
Center, Kirtland Air Force Base in
Albuquerque.
Matt Clingerman has been promoted to manager
in the Audit Division of RSM Cayman
Islands (“the Firm”). Prior to joining the Firm
in 2005, Matt was in the Financial Services
Audit Division of the public accounting firm,
McGladrey & Pullen LLP, Chicago.
Laura (Schwandt) Dorneman and husband
Casey reside in Huntsville, Ala., where Laura is
employed at the Cancer Center of Huntsville.
She recently became and oncology certified
nurse and was selected as a “rising star” by the
Oncology Nursing Society.
ARCHIVE
Photo Provided
The Bigger Dream band includes,
from left: Ken Brown
(bass guitar), Don Knight (drums,
vocals), Will Gundersen (guitar,
vocals), Mark Spencer (keyboards,
vocals), and Deborah
Gundersen (lead vocals).
43

44
Jason Easterday of Phoenix has accepted a promotion
within the Maricopa County Attorney’s
Office. He will now prosecute major
drug cases.
Jason Fechner lives in Davenport, Iowa. He
joined the WQAD-TV, an ABC affiliate, as a
news anchor and reporter.
Lauren (Caywood) Miller and husband Terry
reside in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. In May 2006,
Lauren graduated from the Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg. She serves as
associate pastor for discipleship ministries at
Hope Lutheran Church in Farmington Hills,
Mich. Valpo graduates who participated in
their January 2006 wedding included Katie (Jay
’06) White; Jessica (Noon ’01) Estrada; Sara
(Colba ’01) Mischnick; Kari Witcomb ’00; and
Allison Pagan ’02.
Aimee (Lamothe) Reiner and her husband,
Jonathan, were married on Sept. 4, 2006, on
the beach in Narragansett, R.I. Their son,
Logan, was the ring bearer. They live in
Wakefield, R.I. Aimee’s e-mail address is
aimeeteaches@hotmail.com.
Megan (Stanger) Shoaf and husband Andrew ’02
reside in Parker, Colo. Valpo alumni who took
part in the Shoaf’s May 27 wedding were:
Ashley Saluga ’01, Suzanne Lanzafame ’01, Jerry
Weidenfeld ’03, Adam Klos ’02, Matt Chelap ’02,
Phil Pluister ’02, ’06 J.D., Scott Howard ’02. Pastor
Stein, father of Matthew Stein ’01, officiated,
while Matt played the organ and piano.
MARRIAGES
Neha Bhatnagar and Jamey Richter, July 29,
2006, Indianapolis.
Lauren Caywood and Terry Miller, Jan. 14,
2006, Pittsburgh.
Kylene Godfrey and Benjamin Broadwater, Oct.
15, 2005, Baltimore.
Chris Retson and Sheril Plekhanova, Aug. 5,
2006, Crown Point, Ind.
Megan Stanger and Andrew Shoaf ’02, May 27,
2006, Delafield, Wis.
BIRTHS
To Eric Haan ’03 M.Ed. and wife Amanda
(Lampinen ’03 M.Ed.) of Bend, Ore., Linnea
Noelle, born on May 19, 2006.
To Jennifer (Hartman) Oberweis and husband
Joe of Sugar Grove, Ill.: Evan Henry, born Aug.
25, 2006; joins brother Drew, 2.
To Benjamin and Emily (Marlett) Scherschligt
of Forest Park, Ill.: Stella Ruth, born in
February 2006.
2002
Timothy Birner is an officer in the Foreign
Service. He began a two-year assignment at the
U.S. Embassy in Moscow in July 2006. (See
Amazing Alumni story online at valpo.edu/
givetovu.)
Cristal (Clark) Brisco of Chesterton passed the
bar exam. She joined Barnes & Thronburg LLP
as an associate in the firm’s Indianapolis office
and is a member of the firm’s labor and employment
law department. Cristal is a member
of the Valparaiso Admissions Network and the
Notre Dame Alumni Association, as well as a
fellow of the Indiana Council on Legal Education
Opportunity. She is admitted to practice
in the Northern and Southern District Courts
of Indiana and the Indiana Supreme Court.
Rachel (Kendall) Chretien and husband
Christopher reside in Schaumburg, Ill. Taking
part in their October 2006 wedding were: Sarah
(Nagy ’02) Albano, Theresa (Hill ’02) Schroeder,
Suzanne Lanzafame ’01, Farrah Malik ’04, Kelly
(Mullin ’00) Kendall, and Nick Kendall ’00.
Sarah Engelbert has joined the law firm of
Stolar & Associates in Beverly Hills, Calif., as
an associate. She specializes in family law, including
divorce and custody issues. She passed
the Illinois bar exam in July and is licensed to
practice law in California and Illinois.
Adam Klos is the new assistant director of
athletics for event management for the Crusader
athletics staff. Prior to this new position,
Adam worked as the assistant manager at the
Park District Fitness Center in Tinley Park, Ill.
Chris Pagan is the director of the planetarium
at the Tulsa Air and Space Museum. He provides
weekly updates to the newspaper describing
the position of planets, stars and other
objects in space. Chris compiles the reports
based on astronomy almanacs and his own
research. He joined the Tulsa Air and Space
Museum in April 2006 and presents up to
seven shows a day in the museum’s
planetarium.
Peregrine Jakob Rinderknecht OSB professed
first monastic vows in Saint John’s Abbey
Church in September and made a public commitment
to obedience, stability and monastic
manner of life. In the summer of 2001,
Rinderknecht was an intern in the Office of
Worship in the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America. He also spent some time in
Holden Village, an intentional community. In
2005 he completed a master’s degree in systematic
theology at the School of Theology of
Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.
Will Runkle joined Saint John’s Health System
in Anderson, Ind., as the administrator of
three inpatient nursing rehabilitation units—
the Continuing Care Center, Bennett Rehabilitation
Center, and the Joint Replacement
Center. He resides in Fishers, Ind.
Mark Seeber and wife Allison (Rubow ’00)
reside in Minneapolis. Mark graduated from
the University of Minnesota with a Master of
Science degree in industrial and systems
engineering in December 2006. He works for
Lockheed Martin in Eagan, Minn.
Timothy Weidner has earned the title of
Professional Engineer in Illinois. He works for
Engineering Enterprises Inc., and has been
involved in a diverse range of engineering
design, planning and construction observation
activities for Municipal, residential and
commercial clients. He also has completed
IDOT continuing education in rehabilitating
streets and highways.
Sarah (Stein) Wolf and husband Steve ’03 have
relocated to Okemos, Mich. Steve is pursuing
his doctoral degree at Michigan State University.
His research interests include condensed
matter physics. Sarah is working at a residential
children’s home as a therapist. She plans to
become licensed in Michigan and to fulfill the
requirements to become a registered play
therapist.
Ginger “Zee” Zuidgeest is a meteorologist for
the Chicago television station NBC.
MARRIAGES
Laura Felch and Dustin Puckett, Feb. 25, 2006,
Arlington Heights, Ill.
ARCHIVE
April Horne and Brad Chassee, Oct. 14, 2006,
Valparaiso.
Rachel Kendall and Christopher Chretien, Oct.
14, 2006, Schaumburg, Ill.
Megan McShannock and Ryan Treziok, Aug. 4,
2006, Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis.
Brad Tokarz and Deana Strzelecki, May 20,
2006, Des Plaines, Ill.
2003
David Beagley recently completed his vicarage
year at Our Savior Lutheran Church in
Cabondale, Ill., working with American and

international students at Southern Illinois
University. He now resides in St. Louis, as he
completes his fourth year at Concordia
Seminary.
Annemarie (Hartner) Cook and husband Tim
reside in Philadelphia. Taking part in their
August 2006 wedding were Valpo alumni
Karrie Tallon ’03, and Melissa (Peronto ’03)
Fisher, who were bridesmaids; Rev. Annette
Griffin ’92 presided; and Ben Nicol ’03, Abbie
Barnes ’03, and Dave ’03 and Dana (Timm ’04)
Wurzburger, who attended.
Jeanette Gray, former Indiana All-Star, has left
the coaching staff at Ball State. Jeanette spent
three years at BSU as a position coach, travel
coordinator, weight and conditioning liaison,
and home and unofficial visit coordinator. She
is now a financial adviser for John Hancock in
Indianapolis.
Christopher Gillispie is the communications
manager, Southern California, Coldwell
Banker Residential Brokerage. He manages
internal and external communications,
including e-newsletters and public relations
efforts. His time is divided between the Los
Angeles, Mission Viejo, and San Diego
corporate offices.
Jay Kelly and wife Nicole (Welsh) live in Centerville,
Ohio. Nicole will spend the next year
completing her final year of seminary studies
at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus. Jay
continues to work for the General Electric Co.
in Cincinnati.
Michael Morrison ’05 M.Ed. of Schererville,
Ind., is employed by the Catholic Diocese of
Gary. He is a fifth-grade teacher at St.
Stanislaus Elementary School in East Chicago.
Michael is a member of Ridge United Methodist
Church and is involved in Dalit, a new
ministry offering opportunities for fellowship,
worship and service throughout the region.
Sam Peterson graduated from The Ohio State
University Michael Mortiz College of Law in
May 2006. He passed the Ohio bar exam and is
currently clerking for Justice Judith Lanzinger
of the Ohio Supreme Court.
Lara Pudwell is in her fourth year of Ph.D.
studies in math at Rutgers University.
Phyllis (Chicoine) Smoot and husband Justin
reside in Chicago. Phyllis is in her third year of
seminary at the Lutheran School of Theology.
She has served a yearlong chaplain residency at
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital and has begun
an internship at St. John Lutheran Church in
Somonauk, Ill.
Jeremiah Streck graduated from the University
of Tulsa College of Law in May 2006. He
passed the Oklahoma bar exam in July and
was admitted to practice law in Oklahoma in
September. He is in-house counsel for
Wilbanks Securities in Oklahoma City, Okla.
He resides in Edmond, Okla., with wife Sage
(Miodov ’04).
JohnWells and his wife, Kelley (Johnson ‘04),
reside in Fort Collins, Colo. John graduated
from the University of Denver College of Law
and passed the Colorado bar in summer of
2006. He works at a law firm in Fort Collins.
Kelley successfully defended her master’s thesis
in atmospheric chemistry at Colorado State
University in summer 2006. She is currently
pursuing a Ph.D. in atmospheric science.
MARRIAGES
Jeffrey Andrews and Lisa Modglin, May 20,
2006, Hobart, Ind.
Mike Bardou and Lauren DesJardins ’04, July 30,
2005, Chaska, Minn.
Phyllis Chicoine and Justin Smoot, May 27,
2006, Chicago.
Annemarie Hartner and Timothy Cook, Aug.
19, 2006, Philadelphia.
Julianne Keehl and Beau Rogers, May 13, 2006,
Valparaiso.
Jay Kelly and Nicole Welsh, July 29, 2006, Tinley
Park, Ill.
Heather Schaefer and Tyler Mitchell, Sept. 2,
2006, Johnston, Iowa.
Heather Stahlberg J.D. and Jeremy Smith, June
10, 2006, Springfield, Ill.
Elizabeth Voitel and Michael Carr, Aug. 19,
2006, Frederick, Md.
BIRTHS
To Mandi (Bartok) Bogue and husband Chad of
Portage, Ind.: Jaycie Renee, born Sept. 20, 2006.
To Michael and Amy (Jordan) Estergard of
Johnstown, Colo.: Lucy, born Aug. 24, 2006.
2004
Lauren (DesJardins) Bardou and husband Mike
’03 live in Chaska, Minn. Mike is a meteorologist
with the National Weather Service, and
Lauren is a teacher. Taking part in their July
2005 wedding were: Sara DesJardins ’07, Emily
Hoovey ’04, Mandy Newton ’04, Dan Keeley ’03,
Tyler Parkison ’03, and Steve Jaye ’03.
Diana Cirone is the program director for Arts
for the Aging Inc., a nonprofit organization
that provides performing and visual arts
workshops throughout the Washington, D.C.,
metropolitan area.
Alicia Dilley has accepted a new position as the
writer/editor for Biomet Orthopedics Inc., in
Warsaw, Ind.
Katharine Harmon earned her master’s degree
in theological studies and liturgical studies at
the University of Notre Dame. She is pursuing
a Ph.D. program in theology this fall at Notre
Dame, also specializing in liturgical studies.
Kelley Johnston and his wife, Sara (Boedecker
’06 M.Ed.), reside in Chicago. Last May, Sara
completed Valpo’s LEAPs graduate program
and teaches at St. Paul School in Chicago.
Kelley is a trainer for The Posse Foundation
Inc., a scholarship, pre-collegiate training and
mentor program for urban students who are
not reached by traditional admissions
processes.
Jenn Lake of Chicago was promoted to vice
president of Skirt PR, LLC in Chicago, effective
Jan. 1, 2007. Skirt PR is a fashion, beauty and
lifestyle public relations agency.
Josh Olson and wife Leslie (Morrow) reside in
Denver. Leslie is a senior fund analyst at
OppenheimerFunds, Inc. Josh earned his
master’s degree in urban and regional planning
from the University of Colorado-Denver.
He is an urban planner for Douglas County’s
Community Development Department.
Sage (Miodov) Streck served as the 2006 Cystic
Fibrosis Ambassador for the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation’s GREAT STRIDES walk in May
2006. In addition to service as ambassador,
Sage, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, organized
a team for the walk and raised more
than $10,000 for cystic fibrosis research. In
recognition for their courageous battle against
this disease, Sage and other walk participants
with cystic fibrosis were presented with “Hero
of Our Hearts” awards by U.S. Sen. James M.
Inhofe (R-OK). Sage and husband Jeremiah ’03
reside in Edmond, Okla.
ARCHIVE
Lisa Thomas lives in Milwaukee and works for
Quad/Graphics. She is an account manager for
several direct marketing accounts and is involved
in recruiting corporate trainees.
Katie Vogt ’06 M.Ed. teaches middle school
social studies at The Chapel School in
Bronxville, N.Y.
45

46
Crystal Weaver of Indianapolis is a hydraulics
engineer with the Indiana Department of
Transportation, doing preliminary and final
bridge and culvert designs, as well as field
work.
MARRIAGES
Kelley Johnson and John Wells ’03, September
2006, St. Paul, Minn.
Kelley Johnston and Sara Boedecker ’06 M.Ed.,
Aug. 5, 2006, Valparaiso.
Leslie Morrow and Josh Olson, Oct. 28, 2006,
Pewaukee, Wis.
Jon Nelson and Christina Davito, May 27, 2006,
Dubuque, Iowa.
Amanda Warfield and Andrew Kowalski, May
27, 2006, Berryville, Va.
BIRTH
To Joseph Vorrier III and wife Christine of
LaPorte, Ind.: Sierra Joy, born Aug. 23, 2006.
2005
Matthew Doherty J.D. of Minneapolis has
joined the office of Hitesman & Associates
P.A., a participating firm in HaynesHitesman
P.C. Matthew practices in the area of employee
benefits.
Kim (Everling) Durm and husband Greg reside
in Alexandria, Ind. Valpo alumni who took
part in the July 2006 wedding included Kelly
Everling ’00, Krystal Camalick ’05, and Ashley
Mueller ’05.
Katie Hovsepian is in her first year of medical
school at the West Virginia School of
Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg.
Amy Mitchell resides in Star, Idaho. She sends
thanks to all the Pi Beta Phis for making her
years at Valpo so memorable and wants to
keep in touch.
Kim (Jana) Tomkiewicz M.A.L.S. is an adjunct
instructor in English at Valpo. She currently
serves as the student services coordinator for
the LEAPs program and as the academic
adviser for the College of Adult Scholar
students at Valpo.
Andy Viano has accepted a position as the
sports information director and basketball and
hockey play-by-play broadcaster at
Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y.
MARRIAGES
Kim Everling and Greg Durm, July 22, 2006,
Elwood, Ind.
Melissa Meier and Kyle Ross, June 11, 2005,
Topeka, Kan.
Michelle Pruim and Ryan Schnack, July 29,
2006, Elmhurst, Ill.
Erika Roudebush and Nathan Mundt, July 22,
2006, Indianapolis.
2006
Colby Barkes J.D. has joined the law firm of
Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP in its Merrillville,
Ind., office. He concentrates his practice
in the areas of labor, employment and other
commercial litigation.
Ali Berdiel has signed a contract to play for the
Utah Eagles of the Continental Basketball
Association. While at Valpo, Ali was named
Second Team All-Mid-Continent Conference
in 2003-’04.
Margaret Bradshaw joined Mills James
Productions as an account coordinator in the
company’s account services department. Mills
James produces Web sites and interactive
media, video and film projects. Margaret
resides in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
William Erdmann is a data consistency specialist
for Synovate Inc. in Chicago. He started his
position after he took a road trip with friends
Jim, Nate, Matt and Brad, all class of 2006.
Travis Helmkamp of Shelbyville, Ind., is a
junior engineer at Oates Associates.
Katie Kawiecki J.D. of Portage, Ind., has joined
the law firm of Sachs and Hess P.C., with
offices in Hammond and Schererville. She
focuses on family law and general practice.
Steven Lammers J.D. of Crown Point, Ind., is an
associate attorney in the Hammond, Ind.,
office of Krieg DeVault LLP.
Aaron Leavitt was hired by the Mid-Continent
Conference as media relations assistant for the
2006-’07 academic year.
Lois Mitchum (honorary) of Laurens, S.C., has
been granted honorary alumni membership by
the Valpo Alumni Association for exemplifying
the university’s ideals. Lois has been a member
of the VU Guild since 1988. She recently
served on the VU Guild Advisory Team, which
spent two years developing a plan for the
future of the Guild, and was elected national
treasurer in 2003.
Kerri Nanney is a first-year medical student at
Kansas University School of Medicine. She
expects to graduate in May 2010.
Monica Ott resides in northeast Michigan. She
joined WBKB-TV in December 2006 as a
meteorologist and forecasts the weather
weeknights at 6 and 11 p.m. In the fall of 2005,
Monica spent time interning in Chicago with
Tom Skilling at WGN-TV.
Gary Paczesny will work on media relations for
the Fiesta Bowl, Insight Bowl, and the Tostitos
BCS National Championship game. He will be
in the Phoenix area for about six months planning
and executing the media relations work
for the three football games and facilitating
FOX Sports in their coverage of the games.
David Page J.D. of St. Louis is an associate with
Rabbitt, Pitzer & Snodgrass P.C. He is a
member of the firm’s construction/architect
professional liability group and focuses in the
areas of design professional liability defense,
including architects, engineers, and land
surveyors.
Jaime Parsons J.D. of Valparaiso is licensed to
practice law in Indiana. He has joined the law
firm of Austgen, Kuiper & Associates as an
associate attorney.
Mike Ross teaches band, general music, and
orchestra at Kesling Middle School in LaPorte,
Ind.
Jason Smith J.D. has joined Hoeppner Wagner
& Evans LLP as an associate. Jason works from
the Valparaiso office and concentrates his
practice in the areas of business, corporate and
wealth-preservation counseling.
Katherine Swank of Merrillville, Ind., has
joined the staff of BKD LLP, a certified public
accounting and advisory firm, as a staff
auditor/accountant.
ARCHIVE
Anne (Lovas) Vamos and husband Attila reside
in Dayton, Ohio. They took a honeymoon
cruise to the eastern Caribbean. Anne works at
Dayton International Airport, and Attila is
finishing his pharmacy degree at Ohio
Northern University.
MARRIAGES
Megan Bolton and Erik Kabela ’04, Nov. 18,
2006, Iowa City, Iowa.
Anne Lovas and Attila Vamos, Aug. 26, 2006,
Barberton, Ohio.
Carrie Reynolds and Daniel Laidig, May 27,
2006, South Bend, Ind.

IN MEMORIAM
1927
Leslie Young J.D., July 31, 2006,
Miami.
1928
Marcos A. Irizarry, Jan. 9, 1996,
Lajas, Puerto Rico.
1933
Mary (Gregory) Burger, Jan. 8,
2003, Hemet, Calif.
Mark J. Schoknecht, June 16,
2005, Libby, Mont.
1935
Marzella J. Dierker, April 26,
2004, Mesa, Ariz.
1938
Paula (Girbony) Stonitsch, Dec.
13, 2006, Petaluma, Calif.
1939
Miriam (Cox) Carter, Aug. 30,
2006, Valparaiso.
Norma (Tamm) Sterns, Aug. 6,
2005, Tucson, Ariz.
Carolyn (Reed) Travis, Dec. 7,
2001, Fair Oaks, Calif.
1940
William R. Tatman, Dec. 30,
2006, Tempe, Ariz.
1942
John A. Carlson, May 13, 2005,
Lilburn, Ga.
Ruth (Nickel) Montenyohl, Dec.
31, 2005, Ooltewah, Tenn.
George H. Reinker, Sept. 3, 2006,
Irvine, Calif.
1943
Teresa (Bradfield) McMillin,
Dec. 18, 2005, Jacksonville, Fla.
1944
Louis F. Bartelt Jr. ’47 J.D., Jan. 2,
2007, Valparaiso.
Elizabeth (Foxworthy) Houran,
Nov. 18, 2006, Valparaiso.
Emil E. Krause, D.D.S., Sept. 3,
2006, Columbia Heights, Minn.
Fred W. Kruger, Dec. 25, 2006,
Valparaiso.
1946
Marjorie (Johansen) Bishop,
March 6, 2006, Bethel Park, Pa.
1947
Barbara (Muck) Fuqua, Aug. 19,
2006, Salem, Ore.
1948
Joseph “J.B.” Chambers, June 1,
2006, Adrian, Mich.
Herbert W. Treichel, Sept. 30,
2006, St. Paul, Minn.
1949
Robert E. Laverenz, Sept. 2, 2006,
Tinley Park, Ill.
Donald F. Lewis, Oct. 10, 2006,
Bradenton, Fla.
1950
Henriette (Scholten) Gaalswyk,
April 10, 2005, E. Gulf Lake,
Minn.
Roy L. Hagedorn, Aug. 13, 2005,
Westlake, Ohio.
Raymond W. Klug, Oct. 15, 2006,
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Robert G. Lillie, Dec. 6, 2006,
Seattle.
Esther (Schlinsog) Novakovic,
Sept. 18, 2006, Ithaca, N.Y.
Wesley W. Ratliff J.D., Aug. 30,
2006, Bloomington, Ind.
Ralph H. Rucklos, Oct. 19, 2006,
Boise, Idaho.
Harold W. Shear, Aug. 3, 2006,
Denver.
1951
Oliver Auchenpaugh, Oct. 1,
2006, Thief River Falls, Minn.
Gerda (Schaars) Blackney, April
20, 2004, Racine, Wis.
Randall W. Friedland, April 6,
2006, Portage, Ind.
Richard Salomon, June 23, 2006,
Plymouth, Ind.
Robert J. Schlueter, Aug. 27,
2006, Oak Lawn, Ill.
Melvin W. Strasser, Nov. 4, 2006,
Fairmount, Ind.
Audrey (Arkema) Streit ’90
M.A.L.S., July 12, 2006, Portage,
Ind.
1952
Otto E. Auch, Sept. 20, 2005,
Roseville, Mich.
Mary (Johnson) Boknecht,
Highland, N.C., March 6, 2006.
Leonard O. McGill, Oct. 1, 2006,
Menomonee Falls, Wis.
Leonard A. Stahl, Sept. 26, 2006,
Indianapolis.
Doris (Chidester) Wetmore,
Sept. 8, 2006, Valparaiso.
1953
Thomas E. Froehlke, Dec. 6,
2005, Modesto, Calif.
Bonnie (Jones) Kaiser, July 11,
2006.
William C. Melser, Oct. 27, 2006,
Arlington, Texas.
Karl W. Meyer, Dec. 11, 2005,
Chandler, Okla.
Thomas J. Pappas, Oct. 13, 2006,
Valparaiso.
Nancy (Wolfgren) Sharp, July 25,
2006, Highland, Mich.
Raymond C. Thompson, Nov.
27, 2006, Naperville, Ill.
1955
Clayton W. Radtke, Oct. 12,
2006, Fond du Lac, Wis.
Veldena (Jones) Urben, Nov. 6,
2006, Fort Collins, Colo.
1956
Shirley (Fehrenbach) Machleid,
Dec. 26, 1998, Novi, Mich.
Thomas G. Moshier J.D., May 28,
2006, Phoenix.
Joan (Smith) Ross, Aug. 17, 2006,
Oroville, Calif.
James K. Sachs, May 22, 2001,
Illinois.
Diane (Stelter) Wille, Oct. 29,
2006, Chicago Heights, Ill.
1958
Elaine (Durst) Balasky, Sept. 23,
2006, Batavia, Ohio.
Nancy (Finger) Rutherford, Aug.
18, 2006, Houston.
1959
Robert Andersen, April 4, 2006,
Flagstaff, Ariz.
Donald J. Swenson, March 6,
2006, Anaheim, Calif.
Yvonne (Cole) Wright, Aug. 31,
2002, Winlock, Va.
1960
Judith (Lense) Eggers, Oct. 13,
2006, Mount Prospect, Ill.
Joyce (Duggins) Fetterer, Sept.
17, 2006, Athens, Ala., and
Hobart, Ind.
David W. Koeneman, Sept. 20,
2003, Chicago.
James A. Reddel, Aug. 13, 2006,
Munster, Ind.
1961
Rowena Prescott, Feb. 10, 2004,
St. James City, Fla.
1962
Ronald C. Stammich, Sept. 1,
2006, Chicago.
Marilyn (Unger) Toepper, Nov. 8,
2006, St. Louis.
John B. Wiswell, Aug. 21, 2005,
Lake City, Tenn.
1963
Susan (Millies) Fields, Dec. 21,
2006, Lafayette, Ind.
1965
Mary (Nickerson) Hake
M.A.L.S., March 9, 2006,
Portage, Ind.
Kathleen (Carmody) Miller, July
30, 2006, Chesterton, Ind.
Eugene R. Wittkopf, Sept. 18,
2006, Baton Rouge, La.
1966
Rogene (Brown) Beyreis, Aug. 1,
2006, Arlington Heights, Ill.
ARCHIVE
1967
James F. Nicol M.A.L.S., July 31,
2006, Lexington, Ky.
1968
James Bebout, July 5, 2006,
VanWert, Ohio.
1969
Eileen (Koepke) Morgan, Oct.
28, 2006, Spring, Texas.
Ludwig Zudell, Sept. 4, 2006,
Lorain, Ohio.
1970
Nancy (Hastings) Logmann, Oct.
21, 2006, LaPorte, Ind.
47

48
IN MEMORIAM
1971
Donald A. Fredrick, Oct. 2, 2006,
Valparaiso.
Nancy (Lusk) Heinz, Oct. 6,
2006, Wheaton, Ill.
Janet (Gwartney) Niemann
M.A.L.S., Nov. 6, 2006,
Hampsire, Ill.
1973
Paul A. Priebe Jr., Nov. 24, 2003,
Shavertown, Pa.
1975
David W. Alm J.D., Sept. 8, 2006,
Downers Grove, Ill.
1976
Gary R. Hater, Aug. 8, 2006,
Mascoutah, Ill.
Eleanor (Vidt) Toney, Sept. 23,
2006, Milledgeville, Ga.
Eleanor (Schmid ’85 M.A.L.S.)
Waldschmidt, Nov. 26, 2006,
Valparaiso.
1978
Roger D. Tomlinson, Nov. 28,
2006, Valparaiso.
on the back cover ... Aran Kessler
By the age of 18, Toni (Baldwin ’95, ’97 M.S.N.) Dufour
had decided two things: “a) I didn’t want to work in a
factory and b) I didn’t want to work in a factory.”
Driven by her “desire to help people,” Dufour earned a
diploma in nursing from Memorial Hospital School of
Nursing in South Bend, Ind. She was so confident in her
bedside nursing skills that she didn’t see the need for a
bachelor’s degree. Still, she decided to enroll in
Valparaiso University’s College of Nursing.
“As I completed the B.S.N. program at Valpo, I began
to see the value in furthering my education,” she says.
“My Valpo education has opened up so many doors for
me. I tell people that my nursing diploma program
prepared me be a nurse, but my Valpo education
prepared me to succeed as a nurse and in life.”
Toni’s husband, Carl Dufour ’03, chose to pursue a career
in nursing following his retirement as an officer in
the Army with 21 years of service. At Toni’s recommendation,
he enrolled in Valpo’s College of Nursing, earning
a B.S.N. in 2003.
“Professors Theresa Kessler, Carole Pepa, Kristin (Gibson
’81) Mauk, and Suzanne Zentz were all wonderful role
models and most excellent communicators,” Carl says.
“They all went the extra mile. Dean [Janet] Brown was a
tremendous influence on my decision to attend VU and
1979
Deborah Jean (Morse)
Speakman, Nov. 1, 2006,
Greencastle, Pa.
1981
Ralph Affeld, Aug. 11, 2006,
Valparaiso, Ind.
1982
Kenneth A. Eklov, Dec. 29, 2006,
Farmington Hills, Mich.
1985
Lisa Gatz, Sept. 27, 2006,
Greenwood, Ind.
1992
Nathan F. Schmoll, Sept. 23,
1997, Valparaiso.
1995
Michael A. Kalan, Sept. 15, 2006,
Portland, Ore.
1994
Robert A. Archibald R.N., Aug.
22, 2006, Fort Wayne, Ind.
a wonderful source of comfort
and encouragement. The College
of Nursing is so blessed to
have such loving support and
strong leadership in its dean.
“My VU experience taught me
humility, gave me confidence,
and made me stretch—at times
farther than I thought possible.
VU helped me to gain an appreciation
of what it means to
serve others.”
Today, Toni is family nurse practitioner and director of the
emergency department at Saint Joseph Regional Medical
Center-Plymouth, Ind., campus, and Saint Joseph Health
Center, the hospital’s free clinic. She recently traveled to
central Mexico as part of a cross-cultural outreach program.
Much of the Hispanic population in Marshall County, Indiana,
that is served by the center has immigrated from Santiago
Capitiro, a small ranch in central Mexico. Through another
opportunity at Saint Joseph, Toni enrolled in a medical Spanish
program at Holy Cross College and studied at a school in
Guatemala. She and Carl plan to return to Guatemala in June
with their children for further study at the Spanish school.
ARCHIVE
Carl now is employed as a registered nurse in the emergency
department at Porter Hospital in Valparaiso. “My education at
Valpo has grounded me in thinking critically when caring for
people,” he says. “I am so proud of what I do and of the
education that I received at VU’s College of Nursing that
made it possible.”

55 Years Ago, 1952
Two engineering students, Don Engerer ’53 (inset, left) and Dave Grunau ’53,
completed a topographic survey of the site selected for the proposed Valparaiso
Union. The map was sent to architect Michael Hare who designed the building,
working with planning consultant Porter Butts, director of the University of
Wisconsin Union.
100 Years Ago, 1907
Valparaiso was the second largest university
in the country, second only to Harvard,
and became known as “the poor
man’s Harvard.” Enrollment was a little
more than 5,000, including more than
1,000 in medical and dental departments
in Chicago.
50 Years Ago, 1957
The Student Disaster Fund campaign
that was launched following a fire that
destroyed the 63-year-old Chapel-Auditorium
on Nov. 28,1956, just seven weeks
after ground had been broken for a new
chapel, raised more than $100,000, including
$1.05 from children of St.
Stephen’s Lutheran Sunday School in
Bangalore, India.
45 Years Ago, 1962
A. Sami El-Naggar, professor of civil engineering,
was awarded a two-year
$24,300 National Science Foundation research
grant for work on “Oxygen Utilization
and Biological Film Metabolism
in Trickling Filters.”
40 Years Ago, 1967
Valpo’s team of Mel Piehl ’68, captain,
Neil Brandt ’67, Kurt Rumler ’69, and
Mark Knoblauch ’69 scored a second
victory in the GE College Bowl on
NBC-TV, defeating Ohio Northern University
260-100 after previously topping
Roanoke College 215-165. The team was
coached by Professor Kenneth Klein.
Mel Doering ’53, Editor
35 Years Ago, 1972
Professor Frederick L. Frey was awarded
the Mr. and Mrs. Edward C. Minas Memorial
Prize for his sculpture titled
“Beach Flower” at the 29th annual exhibit
of the Northern Indiana Art Association.
30 Years Ago, 1977
VU’s Delta Xi chapter of Theta Chi fraternity
was honored by the American
Cancer Society for its fundraising efforts.
25 Years Ago, 1982
Margaret Perry was appointed director of
libraries to succeed Edwin Johnson ’38.
20 Years Ago, 1987
As part of an accreditation process, a
University self-study committee reported,
“The campus community has outgrown
the union’s capacities.” Enrollment, less
than 2,000 when the union was built,
had grown to more than 3,500. In 1990
students again voted to raise fees an additional
$20 per semester for union renovation
and expansion.
15 Years Ago, 1992
VU’s fourth annual MLK Day, Christopher
Hanson ’93 commented, “fed me
with good feeling about the power of the
human spirit and with a certain despair
about the way things are.”
ARCHIVE
VU Archives
10 Years Ago, 1997
The Torch was awarded First Place with
Special Merit by the American Scholastic
Press Association in its annual collegiate
newspaper competition. Co-editors were
Andi Bishton and Chelsea Morse ’97.
5 Years Ago, 2002
With only slightly dampened ceremonies
on a rainy Saturday morning, April 27,
2002, ground was broken for the new
Christopher Center for Library and Information
Resources.

“My Valpo education has
opened up so many doors for me.
It prepared me to succeed
as a nurse and in life.”
—Toni (Baldwin ’95, ’97
M.S.N.) Dufour
Read more about the Dufours
inside this issue of VALPO
on Page 48.
Valparaiso, IN 46383
“My VU experience taught me humility,
gave me confidence, and made me
stretch—at times farther than I thought
possible. VU helped me to gain
an appreciation of what it means
to serve others.”
—Carl Dufour ’03
ARCHIVE
Change service requested.
Non-Profit Org.
US POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No. 3
Valparaiso, IN