Read what your fellow Valpo alumni have been up to, and submit your updates, too!

    We want to hear your news! Tell us about job updates, births, weddings, engagements, community involvement, and special recognition awards. Once approved, your update will appear right here for your fellow alum to see!

    To notify us of the passing of an alum, and to search our database, please     click here.

    Click each box to read the full story!  For questions, please contact us at alumni@valpo.edu.
    Kenneth Bailey | 1959
    General Update
    Having learned about Valpo from a 1956 bulletin, which I...Click to Read More
    Kenneth Bailey | 1959
    Special Recognition
    I graduated in the century class in 1959. Valpo was...Click to Read More
    Kerry McLaughlin | 1967
    General Update
    Retired from Indiana parole and Arizona probation officer in 2006,...Click to Read More
    Victor Huggard | 1962
    Community Involvement
    I am celebrating 25 years as the CEO of the...Click to Read More
    Bob (McNamara) McNamara | 1968
    General Update
    Rev. Dr. Robert P. McNamara
    I attended Valparaiso University in Indiana...Click to Read More
    David Balun | 1969
    General Update
    Now retired after a second career which was in the...Click to Read More
    William (Karpenko) Karpenko | 1961
    General Update
    Alumni Notes Update for William O. Karpenko II: March 17,...Click to Read More
    Pamela Alderman | 1969
    General Update
    My studies in biology and English literature taught me critical...Click to Read More
    Elke Bowman | 1968
    General Update
    Publication of my memoir ENDURING SHAME. Valparaiso University allowed me...Click to Read More
    James Thacker | 1968
    General Update
    I don't think I had the slightest clue about how...Click to Read More
    Richard Wamhoff | 1967
    General Update
    I am retired and have lived in Thailand for the...Click to Read More
    Carol Halter | 1965
    Community Involvement
    Dear Friend in Christ,

    Warm greetings, It is always nice to...Click to Read More
    Beverly (Schultz) Benson | 1965
    General Update
    Step into today's high-tech world with a pioneering female engineer...Click to Read More
    Donald Marxhausen | 1964
    Job Update
    Just finishing my 83rd year. Fifty-one years ordained. Spent my...Click to Read More
    Stuart Walesh | 1963
    General Update
    Stuart Walesh pens book titled The Communicative Engineer: How to...Click to Read More
    Victor Huggard | 1962
    General Update
    As a student in the Civil Engineering Department, I became...Click to Read More
    Richard Williams | 1978
    Special Recognition
    In the spring of 1976, 50 years ago last January,...Click to Read More
    Janet (York) York Marquez | 1977
    Published Work
    Self-published then Xlibris Publishers became seller of my autobiography "A...Click to Read More
    Elvin Harms | 1979
    General Update
    Elvin Harms relocated to the Salt Lake City area in...Click to Read More
    David Lyons | 1971
    General Update
    At a wedding on February 15, 2026 in Lancaster, PA,...Click to Read More
    Linda Feldmann Valente | 1979
    General Update
    I’m Linda, the human component of 'Team Tess'. We've earned...Click to Read More
    Denise (Kuehner) Delgado | 1977
    Job Update
    Denise was recently appointed to teach violin at Bethel University...Click to Read More
    Janet (York) Marquez | 1977
    General Update
    Music Minor studies with Speech & Drama major graduate on...Click to Read More
    Bob Gumz | 1975
    General Update
    My wife Betty and I started a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to...Click to Read More
    Jeffrey Smalldon | 1975
    Published Work
    Coming up August 6, 2024, Black Lyon Publishing will be...Click to Read More
    John Niems | 1974
    General Update
    At 72 I am still tuning and repairing pianos and...Click to Read More
    Jill Thompson | 1974
    Published Work
    Jill published the book entitled, Across the Aisle: Why Bipartisanship...Click to Read More
    John Ford | 1974
    General Update
    I graduated with a double major in music and English....Click to Read More
    Mark Ennes | 1974
    Job Update
    After 45 years as a financial advisor, I retired from...Click to Read More
    James Welch | 1973
    General Update
    James Welch BLS, RN, HNB-BC of Georgetown, DE was announced...Click to Read More
    Tim Friederichs | 1972
    General Update
    As a retired family physician, I served primarily farm workers...Click to Read More
    Donna Simon | 1971
    General Update
    On May 8, 2023, Donna Jean Simon ('71) was sworn...Click to Read More
    Michael Wilson | 1971
    General Update
    I graduated with a BA in Social Work and a...Click to Read More
    Dennis Reece | 1971
    General Update
    Dennis authored the book entitled Josh Binney: From Mack Sennett...Click to Read More
    Marvin Henk | 1970
    General Update
    I am proud to be a graduate of Valpo!

    I was...Click to Read More
    Rebecca (Miller) and Dennis Lawton | 1974
    General Update
    Rebecca (Becki) and Dennis reside in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. In 2022,...Click to Read More
    Jacqueline (Karneth) Baker | 1984
    Published Work
    For the last three years, I have been working on...Click to Read More
    Becky McFarland | 1980
    General Update
    After serving the residents of Alameda County for 35 years,...Click to Read More
    Cecilia (Ballard) Ballard | 1976-1980
    General Update
    I spent 3.5 years at VU but wasn't able to...Click to Read More
    Lori (L.K) (Sterling) Johnson | 1980
    Published Work
    Published book, Finding Angus: Wealthy Chicago socialite Isabelle Bordner has...Click to Read More
    Nathan Martens | 1987
    General Update
    Nathan Martens '87 received a Master of Divinity degree from...Click to Read More
    Nancy Janke | 1988
    General Update
    The last of our five children has graduated from Valparaiso...Click to Read More
    Beth Olejniczak | 1987
    Community Involvement
    Valpo alumni recently gathered at the 2025 ABB FIA Formula...Click to Read More
    Kraig Olejniczak | 1987
    Community Involvement
    Valpo alumni recently gathered at the 2025 ABB FIA Formula...Click to Read More
    Dan Smolnik | 1986
    Published Work
    In 2024, I published an in-depth analysis of the econometric...Click to Read More
    Kay Nannet | 1985
    Job Update
    Kay has been semi-retired since 2021, and works PT for...Click to Read More
    Paul Landskroener | 1984
    General Update
    After graduating from VU Law School in 1991, I moved...Click to Read More
    Martha Van Buskirk | 1984
    Published Work
    Martha's book Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Grace / God's Purpose in...Click to Read More
    Mary Young | 1983
    Published Work
    Mary V. Young pens new book Through Hope's Eyes. Before...Click to Read More
    Robert Wichlinski | 1982
    Job Update
    Bob Wichlinski was elected President of Porter County Farm Bureau...Click to Read More
    Nanette (Howard) Dost | 1982
    Job Update
    On June 30, 2025 Deaconess Nanette (Howard) Dost is celebrating...Click to Read More
    Cornell Boggs III | 1982
    Special Recognition
    In August 2024, I was honored to receive the National...Click to Read More
    Craig Knippenberg | 1981
    Published Work
    Craig A. Knippenberg '81, LCSW, M.Div. released his second parenting...Click to Read More
    Joel Bretscher | 1980
    Published Work
    Joel, Program Director at Stephen Ministries and a member of...Click to Read More
    Jeff Rousseau | 1994
    Job Update
    Appointed co-Chief Strategy Officer at CSI Leasing, Inc. Have been...Click to Read More
    Leah Hoppes | 1994
    Published Work
    Restored the Study: Six-Session Bible Study on Discernment, Boundaries, and...Click to Read More
    Leah Hoppes | 1994
    Special Recognition
    Awarded the 2025 Illumination Awards Gold Medalist for Biography/Memoir -...Click to Read More
    Kathy (Musgrave) Farinas | 1997
    Special Recognition
    Firm-Record Nine Dean Omar Branham Shirley Attorneys Recognized for Plaintiff...Click to Read More
    Barry Boline | 1991
    Job Update
    After almost 14 years on the family bench, the Hon....Click to Read More
    Leah Hoppes | 1994
    Special Recognition
    Restoring the Years the Locusts Have Eaten-Rescued for a Purpose:...Click to Read More
    Honorable Chief Judge Brendan Maher | Valparaiso School of Law (J.D. 1997)
    Job Update
    In January, 2026, after 15 years as a circuit judge...Click to Read More
    Edie Lenz | 1999
    General Update
    Rev. Edie Lenz has received her Doctor of Ministry from...Click to Read More
    Mowitt Drew III | 1999
    Special Recognition
    Butzel attorney Mowitt (Mitt) S. Drew III is one of...Click to Read More
    Amy Crowley | 1999
    Job Update
    After graduation I held many jobs including working with my...Click to Read More
    Jim Esterby | 1996
    General Update
    Jim earned his masters in software engineering at Penn State...Click to Read More
    Kurth Brashear | 1994
    Job Update
    Kurth Brashear '94 was elected to the partnership of Rembolt...Click to Read More
    Leah Hoppes | 1994
    Published Work
    Leah shares her journey within an emotionally abusive marriage and...Click to Read More
    Rachel Neustadt | 1994
    General Update
    Rachel earned her Doctorate in Education in December 2023.Click to Read More
    Mike Chasar | 1993
    Published Work
    Valpo alum pens new book: The Poetry of Bob Dylan:...Click to Read More
    Jarrod Papendorf | 1990, 1993
    Job Update
    Von Briesen is pleased to welcome Shareholder, Jarrod J. Papendorf,...Click to Read More
    Brock Lloyd | 1993
    Special Recognition
    Edward Jones Financial Advisor Brock Lloyd recently qualified for the...Click to Read More
    Yingmaw Teng | 1993
    General Update
    For the past 32 years, Yingmaw (aka Morris) Teng, with...Click to Read More
    Christopher Fronk | 1993, 1996
    General Update
    Judge Christopher C. Fronk has been a dedicated public servant...Click to Read More
    Dan Wilburn | 1992
    Special Recognition
    FORBES RECOGNIZES DAN WILBURN AS A BEST-IN-STATE WEALTH ADVISOR

    VALPARAISO, IN...Click to Read More
    Mark (1991) Zimmerman | 1991
    General Update
    Retirement provided Mark with an opportunity to return to his...Click to Read More
    Kimberly Dana  (1991)  and Brian Jirak  (1990) 
    Wedding/Engagement
    Kimberly Dana ('91) and Brian Jirak ('90) married on June...Click to Read More
    Sarah Schaefer | 1990
    Job Update
    Sarah has worked on the Isotek System's Uranium-233 Disposition Project...Click to Read More
    Gail and Greg Warner | 1990
    General Update
    My husband, Greg and I (also an alum, class of...Click to Read More
    Mark Williams | 1992
    Published Work
    On September 27, 2025, Mark Williams (’92 Valparaiso University) celebrated...Click to Read More
    Jessica Pleuss | 2003
    Published Work
    Jessica Pleuss, Professor of Psychology at Morningside University, and her...Click to Read More
    Christopher "CJ" Jones | 2004
    General Update
    I recently received my MSEd in Leadership in Higher Education...Click to Read More
    Adam Schur | 2004
    Job Update
    Adam was promoted to Sergeant with the Chicago Police Department.Click to Read More
    Erica (Sipich) Huffstodt | 2007
    Special Recognition
    In August if 2025, I won the Walt Disney Legacy...Click to Read More
    Katie Boone | 2005
    Special Recognition
    On December 16, 2025, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame...Click to Read More
    Marcus Lohrmann | 2009
    Published Work
    “The call of the church is ptoxocracy, either as a...Click to Read More
    Paula Maust | 2009
    Published Work
    Paula Maust is pleased to share the release of her...Click to Read More
    Patrick Lay | 2009
    Published Work
    Death Strikes: The Emperor of Atlantis will be released on...Click to Read More
    Meredith Garofalo | 2008
    Job Update
    Meredith Garofalo is now a freelance writer for Martha Stewart.com....Click to Read More
    Meredith Garofalo | 2008
    Special Recognition
    I am proud to share that I am representing our...Click to Read More
    Meredith Garofalo | 2008
    Special Recognition
    On September 14, VUAA Decade Achievement Award recipient and 2008...Click to Read More
    Robert Ordway | 2007, 2010 M.S.
    General Update
    I am cycling 800 mi from DC to the Indiana...Click to Read More
    Brian Wise | 2006
    Published Work
    The Reverend Doctor Brian Wise recently graduated from the Pacific...Click to Read More
    Mary (Lorenz) Claus | 2006
    Published Work
    "I had such amazing professors who encouraged me in my...Click to Read More
    Jason Hallman | 2006
    Special Recognition
    As Senior Manager for the Toyota Collaborative Safety Research Center,...Click to Read More
    Henry Yep | 2004
    Special Recognition
    Mr. Henry Yep '04 is a distinguished graduate of the...Click to Read More
    Katie Burakowski | 2004
    Published Work
    Valpo alumna pens new book The Sport and Social Media...Click to Read More
    Suzie (Hammel) Albert | 2004
    Special Recognition
    Source: Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

    Suzie (Hammel) Albert averaged 21.2...Click to Read More
    Jakob Rinderknecht  (2002)  and Gregory Clines  () 
    Wedding/Engagement
    In October, Jakob Rinderknecht (Valpo ‘02) and Gregory Clines were...Click to Read More
    Joshua West  (2002)  and Glenn Patterson  () 
    Wedding/Engagement
    Josh married Glenn Patterson on January 20, 2024 in Kendallville,...Click to Read More
    Maryn Olson | 2002
    General Update
    Maryn Olson serves as the Director of Lutheran Disaster Response,...Click to Read More
    Kristin Flora | 2001
    Job Update
    July 2025: Kristin Flora, Ph.D., Franklin College Vice President for...Click to Read More
    Kerry Davidson | 2001
    Job Update
    Kerry Davidson ‘01 recently joined the Chicago office of Ogletree...Click to Read More
    Eric Muller | 2001
    Job Update
    Colonel Eric Muller (USAF) has been appointed as the North...Click to Read More
    Nathan Frederick | 2001
    General Update
    Nathan Frederick '01 summited Mt. Everest on May 23, 2024....Click to Read More
    Jeff Conrad | 2000
    General Update
    Jeff Conrad ‘00 is the head softball coach at the...Click to Read More
    Kyle Wright | 2000
    Job Update
    Kyle Wright has joined Lob and Smash, the FanSided Network's...Click to Read More
    Nicki (Kollar) Kollar  (2018, 2026 (MBA))  and    () 
    Wedding/Engagement
    My partner of 6 years, Sean Milton, proposed in New...Click to Read More
    Bryan Manalo | 2011
    Job Update
    Bryan Manalo ’11 recently began a full-time role as Clinical...Click to Read More
    Matthew Fitzpatrick | 2017
    Job Update
    Matt graduates from VCOM Medial School May 2026 and will...Click to Read More
    Robin Lehninger | 2011
    Job Update
    Robin was elected to the membership of Dykema Gossett PLLC...Click to Read More
    Susanne Johnson | 2013
    Job Update
    Faegre Drinker announced the promotion of six attorneys to counsel,...Click to Read More
    David Esala  (2010)  and Erika (Walden) Esala  (2014) 
    Birth Announcement
    David and Erika Esala are excited to share the news...Click to Read More
    Matthew Cook  (2010)  and Dana Dutcher  (2009) 
    Birth Announcement
    Matthew Cook ('10) and Dana Dutcher ('09) welcomed their daughter...Click to Read More
    Lauren (Zeeb) Maenhout | 2019
    Special Recognition
    Lauren Zeeb '19 Maenhout was chosen as one of the...Click to Read More
    Jordan Embry | 2019
    Job Update
    After graduating from Valpo in 2019 with a bachelor's in...Click to Read More
    Jacob Landgraf | 2019
    Special Recognition
    Jake Landgraf recently completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian National...Click to Read More
    Christopher Dabbs | 2018
    Published Work
    Christopher recently published a book!
    Book Title
    Understanding and Affirming Autistic Clients:...Click to Read More
    Evan Biesterveld | 2016 J.D.
    Special Recognition
    He was elected to serve as the Pike County Circuit...Click to Read More
    Clair Roehre | 2014 J.D.
    Special Recognition
    Rising Star: Claire Roehre, Milwaukee County: Graduate of Valparaiso University...Click to Read More
    Sarah L. Schreiber | 2013 J.D.
    Job Update
    The law firm of Barrett McNagny LLP is pleased to...Click to Read More
    Nathan Atkins | 2013
    Job Update
    In June, Nathan became the Director of M&A for Guardian...Click to Read More
    Melissa Kohner | 2013
    Job Update
    Appointed Director of Medical Education for Great Lakes Bay Health...Click to Read More
    Anna (Isaacson) Lindell | 2011
    Job Update
    I was promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure in the...Click to Read More
    Danny Hodgkinson | 2010
    Job Update
    Danny Hodgkinson Begins Term as Lake County Bar Association President....Click to Read More
    Jacob Lindsey  (2025, 2026)  and    () 
    Wedding/Engagement
    Married to Loren Simpson on May 16th, 2026Click to Read More
    Jesse Hershberger | 2020
    Job Update
    On November 8, 2025, Jesse Hershberger '20 was ordained to...Click to Read More
    Tabitha Bartoe | 2022
    Published Work
    In When Spite Strikes, Revenge Rumbles: Weathering the Beginning Storm...Click to Read More
    Carmen Vincent | 2020
    Special Recognition
    My time at Valpo prepared me for so much. This...Click to Read More
    Ethan Hennessy | 2020
    Job Update
    In February 2024 I (Ethan Hennessy) started a new job...Click to Read More
    Ella Louise Speckhard | 2020
    General Update
    My time at Valpo helped me become a more proficient...Click to Read More
    Elizabeth "Betsy" Martens | 2023
    General Update
    Elizabeth "Betsy" Martens '23 received the Master of Public Policy...Click to Read More
    Carolyn Staley | faculty/staff
    Published Work
    Former Department of Music Faculty Member, Alumni Hall Director

    After years...Click to Read More