Each fall during Homecoming and Family Weekend, the Valparaiso University Alumni Association recognizes alumni who have made notable contributions to society and the University. Valparaiso University granted its first alumni awards in 1958, establishing a Valpo tradition of recognizing the great work our alumni continue to do after graduation. These alumni exemplify Valpo’s core values in professional and service roles, and we are proud to count them among our numbers.
Nominations for the 2026 VUAA Alumni Awards are now closed.
We look forward to celebrating this year's award recipients on Saturday, September 26, 2026, during Homecoming and Family Weekend.
Nominations for the 2027 VUAA Alumni Awards will open in February 2027. We hope you'll visit again to submit a nomination.
2026 Awards
Distinguished Alumna Award
Cynthia Layman ‘91 Lietz has dedicated more than 30 years to improving lives through social work, higher education, and public service. Today, she serves as vice provost and dean of Arizona State University’s Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, where she leads a college serving more than 8,000 students. Her journey began at Valparaiso University, where earning her B.A. in psychology sparked her passion for social work. “Earning my undergraduate degree at Valpo changed my life,” Cynthia says. “It helped me uncover my passion for social work.”
A nationally recognized scholar and leader, Cynthia has received numerous honors, including the 2026 Stanlie James Legacy Inclusion Award.
Distinguished Alumna Award
Kari Hanson ‘89 Kleven has built a career rooted in social justice, compassionate service, and the belief that meaningful change begins with imagining something different.
After earning her B.A. in international economics and cultural affairs from Valparaiso University, Kari spent two and a half years in Honduras with the Peace Corps before earning her master’s in social work.
In 2020, Kari reimagined mental health care by creating an urban, nature-based therapy practice, bringing children and families outdoors to connect with nature as part of the therapeutic process. By 2026, her practice had grown to a team of 10 providers serving clients of all ages.
Kari credits Valpo with shaping her commitment to service, critical thinking, and positive change.
Alumni Achievement Award
Brandi Anstine ‘12 M.S. has built a career centered on service, leadership, and strengthening the communities she calls home.
After earning her B.S. in political science from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, Brandi earned her master’s in sports administration from Valparaiso University. Today, she serves in executive leadership at a Federally Qualified Health Center, helping advance accessible, compassionate healthcare.
A respected healthcare executive and civic leader, Brandi has received recognition including Northwest Indiana’s Influential Woman, Upcoming Woman of the Year, and 20 Under 40 honors. She has also served in leadership roles with numerous community organizations throughout Northwest Indiana.
Brandi remains deeply connected to Valpo through mentoring students, speaking in classes, volunteering, and attending alumni events.
“My time at Valpo wasn't just me receiving a degree,” she says. “It was me learning who I was and who I could be.”
Alumni Achievement Award
Glenn Jaffe ‘99, D.C., has built a distinguished career as a chiropractic physician, healthcare advocate, author, and leader, guided by the values of service and excellence he developed at Valparaiso University.
After earning his B.S. in human life sciences from Valpo, Glenn went on to become a respected clinician and advocate for the chiropractic profession. Since 2006, he has served as president and CEO of Jaffe Chiropractic in Charlotte, North Carolina, while holding numerous leadership roles advancing chiropractic care nationwide.
Glenn remains deeply connected to Valpo through the President’s Circle Advisory Committee, Admission Network, and University Chorale alumni reunions.
Reflecting on his time at Valpo, Glenn says his four years in University Chorale taught him “discipline, excellence, and servant leadership.” He says, “The further away I get from my years as a student, the more I appreciate how profoundly they shaped me.”
Alumni Achievement Award
Jonathan “Jon” Dorn ‘85, MBA, has spent more than four decades leading with integrity, faith, and a commitment to service.
After earning his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Valparaiso University, Jon built a distinguished career with BAE Systems, culminating in his role as sector vice president of business development and strategy. Under his leadership, his team secured more than $21.7 billion in new business awards while advancing mission-critical capabilities and creating opportunities for thousands of professionals.
Jon has remained deeply connected to Valpo, serving on the College of Engineering National Council and helping establish the Dorn Family College of Engineering Endowment with his family. Faith and community service have also remained central to his life.
Reflecting on Valpo, Jon credits lifelong friendships with giving him “the confidence to try new things” and supporting him through challenges.
Alumni Achievement Award
Lori Voigts ‘89 Woodruff, M.S., has spent more than three decades creating classrooms where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to learn.
After earning her B.S. in elementary education from Valparaiso University, Lori built an award-winning career as an educator, mentor, and advocate. In 2025, she received the National Education Association Foundation/Travelers Insurance Award for Teaching Excellence.
Her commitment to students extends beyond the classroom through coaching Special Olympics athletes, directing drama, and supporting community and church ministries.
Lori credits Valpo with helping shape her purpose as an educator. One early classroom experience with Professor Ann Reiser’s reading of The Velveteen Rabbit inspired her to bring that same sense of wonder to every student she teaches. “Valpo helped me figure out who I was and what was important in my life,” Lori says. “It gave me my voice.”
Alumni Achievement Award
Peter Dull ‘90, M.D., has dedicated his career to medicine, infectious disease, and global public health, working to improve health and well-being in communities around the world.
After earning his B.S. in physics from Valparaiso University, Peter went on to earn an M.S. and M.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison before completing training in internal medicine and infectious diseases. His career has included leadership and service with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Gates Foundation.
Peter credits Valpo’s rigorous academics, including his physics education and experience in Christ College, with giving him the intellectual foundation to pursue a career spanning science, medicine, and global health. “Valparaiso University was formative at a key period of my life,” he says. “The school was the right place for me. It challenged me and set me up for a happy and productive career.”
Alumni Community Service Award
Melinda “Mindy” Jo Kulasa ‘85, MBA, has built a career around a simple philosophy: use your skills, experience, and influence to help others achieve a better quality of life.
After earning her B.S. in business administration and finance from Valparaiso University, Mindy went on to a career in finance, philanthropy, fundraising, and strategic leadership. She has raised millions of dollars for healthcare and community initiatives, including sustainable funding for a Mothers’ Milk Bank supporting a hospital’s NICU.
Today, much of Mindy’s work centers on disability advocacy. She serves in leadership roles with the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council and Disability Network of Southwest Michigan, where she received an Outstanding Leadership and Service Award.
Mindy credits Valpo with shaping her approach to leadership: “My Valpo experience set the stage for the servant leadership philosophy that has guided my life's work for others.”
First Decade Achievement Award
Justin Szaday ‘16, Ph.D., has built an impressive career at the intersection of computer engineering, computer science, research, and software development.
After earning his B.S. in computer engineering from Valparaiso University, Justin earned his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He went on to work as a software engineer at Google and Jump Trading, where he continues to build innovative technology.
At Valpo, Justin embraced opportunities across academics, research, teaching, and technology, working in IT, serving as a Hesse Scholar and teaching assistant, and conducting research.
“Valpo was a place where I could truly do a little bit of everything, often at the same time,” he recalls.
He credits those experiences — and the faculty and friendships he found along the way — with helping shape his trajectory. “I cherish the advice, experiences, and knowledge I received there for shaping who I became.”
Laurel Wreath Society Award
For more than two decades, Natalie Muskin-Press ‘05, M.A., has dedicated her career to fostering student well-being, leadership, and belonging at Valparaiso University.
After earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Valpo, Natalie earned her M.A. in forensic psychology and returned to campus as a staff member in 2010. Since then, she has become a passionate advocate for student wellness, fraternity and sorority life, mentorship, and community.
Her commitment has earned recognition from the Indiana Collegiate Action Network, Valpo’s Fraternity and Sorority Experience, and Kappa Delta.
“My time as a student at Valpo holds some of my dearest memories and led to the creation of my most cherished relationships,” Natalie says.
Today, she continues helping students discover that same sense of belonging. “I could not have found a better place to do so.”
Laurel Wreath Society Award
Joseph Teeple ‘13, ‘22 MBA, has spent more than a decade building a life and career centered on leadership, service, relationships, and his deep connection to Valparaiso University.
A history graduate who later returned to earn his MBA, Joseph’s Valpo experience was shaped by his involvement with Phi Sigma Kappa. As chapter president and later an adviser and alumni leader, he discovered the lasting power of mentorship, community, and shared purpose.
Joseph went on to serve in Valpo’s Office of Advancement, helping cultivate donor relationships and support the Forever Valpo campaign. Today, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education leadership while continuing to advocate for student leadership and fraternity and sorority communities.
Receiving the 2026 Laurel Wreath Society Award is especially meaningful to Joseph. “I see this award not only as a personal honor, but as a reflection of the many people who have invested in me and inspired me to continue giving back.”
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Jesse Studyvin ‘19, ChFC, TPCP, has built a career focused on helping individuals and families achieve long-term financial security through trust, service, and meaningful relationships.
After earning his B.S. in business administration from Valparaiso University, Jesse became a Chartered Financial Consultant and Tax Planning Certified Professional. Today, he serves as a leader at Cornerstone Legacy Group, helping clients navigate complex financial decisions and plan for the future.
His expertise has earned national recognition, including annual Million Dollar Round Table qualification since 2022 and multiple honors from Money Concepts. Jesse is also passionate about financial education, professional development, and community service.
Jesse credits Valpo with teaching him “growth, accountability, teamwork, and being part of something more impactful than one individual’s experience.”
Outstanding Young Alumna Award
Carmen Vincent ‘20 has built a career at the intersection of storytelling, advocacy, and community leadership, using her talents to help people feel seen, heard, and supported.
A summa cum laude graduate of Valparaiso University with a B.A. in digital media, Carmen gained hands-on experience through Valpo’s television and marketing and communications teams. Today, as founder of Carmen Vincent Films LLC, she creates documentaries exploring disability, equity, and the human experience. Her documentary Teacher of Patience earned a 2023 Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Content.
Carmen also serves as executive director of Project Neighbors, advancing affordable housing and resident-centered programs.
Reflecting on Valpo, Carmen says, “What I found here was much more than a college experience — I found a sense of belonging. Valpo has always felt less like a place I attended and more like a community that continues to claim me, support me, and send me back out to serve.”
Outstanding Young Alumna Award
Katelyn Stermer ‘14 Donnelly, MPH, has built a career at the intersection of science, medicine, public health, and service — a path she traces directly to her Valparaiso University education.
After earning her B.S. in chemistry, international service, and humanities from Valpo, Katelyn earned an M.P.H. in epidemiology and her M.D. in 2025. Today, she is a physician committed to advancing health and human dignity, with experience serving underserved communities, supporting survivors of torture and persecution, and advocating for women’s health.
Her dedication to service has taken her around the world, from volunteering with children affected by HIV/AIDS in South Africa to participating in a 4,000-mile Ride Against AIDS.
Katelyn credits Valpo with giving her the freedom to explore “all of my academic, social, spiritual, and civic interests.” Together, she says, those experiences showed her that science and the humanities can become “the foundation for a life of medicine, service, and purpose.”
Partners in Service Award
For decades, Carol Worthington Schickel, M.A., and Robert “Rob” Schickel ‘71 have shared a deep commitment to faith, service, learning, and Valparaiso University — creating a legacy that now spans generations of their family.
Rob earned his B.S. in civil engineering from Valpo in 1971 and built a distinguished career serving communities through projects involving bridges, highways, airports, and railroads. Today, he continues giving back by serving on Valpo’s College of Engineering National Council and mentoring students.
Carol, a member of the Class of 1972, devoted more than four decades to ministry, counseling, and leadership within the ELCA.
Both credit Valpo with shaping their commitment to the common good. Rob says his experience created “a desire to work for the common good for all people,” while Carol says Valpo “awakened me to a wider world.”
With children, spouses, and now a grandchild among Valpo graduates, the Schickels’ connection continues to grow.
Past Recipients
- 1974 Rolland M. Wilkening
- 1975 Arnold G. Busse
- 1975 Robert D. Freier
- 1975 Louise F. Nicolay
- 1976 Richard W. Duesenberg
- 1976 Paul D. Schrage
- 1976 Lowell F. Thomas
- 1977 August H. Bernthal
- 1977 Carl T. Brighton
- 1977 Francis J. Householter
- 1977 Arnold C. Nuechterlein
- 1978 Paul W. Eggers
- 1978 Sharon L. King
- 1978 Reinhold P. Marxhausen
- 1978 Lawrence G. Regner
- 1979 William E. Dannemeyer
- 1979 Donald L. Feucht
- 1979 James F. Voss
- 1980 John A. Koepke
- 1981 Charles S. Brophy
- 1981 William J. Buhler
- 1981 Frank W. Chesrow
- 1981 Raymond L. Scherer
- 1982 Richard E. Beumer
- 1982 Gerhard M. Freche
- 1982 Henry C. Miller
- 1982 Walter F. Rogosheske
- 1982 Edmund A. Schroer
- 1983 Kathryn E. Baerwald
- 1983 Donald V. Fites
- 1983 Paul R. Seegers
- 1983 Edwin L. Zehnder
- 1984 Howard J. Claussen
- 1984 Theodore C. Eickhoff
- 1984 Lane B. Hoffman
- 1985 Arthur M. Clausing
- 1985 John E. Grunow
- 1985 Richard M. Kippen
- 1985 Charles F. Krause
- 1985 Alfred J. Pivarnik
- 1986 L. Barth Reller
- 1987 Frederick F. Jenny, Jr.
- 1988 Arthur F. Peterson
- 1988 Russell P. Schulz
- 1989 Louise D. Crooks
- 1989 Charles R. Vaughan
- 1990 Jill L. Long
- 1991 Paul A. Sieving
- 1991 William B. Wehrenberg
- 1992 Diana Schultz Beardsley
- 1993 Kenneth A. Francis
- 1994 Stephen P. Graef
- 1994 James W. Paul
- 1995 Ernst R. Berndt
- 1995 Lillian P. Mullin
- 1995 Richard W. Wienhorst
- 1996 Wayne H. Leupold
- 1996 Kenneth P. Ramming
- 1996 Marilyn J. Schmiege
- 1997 Lowell P. Hager
- 1997 Kathi P. Seifert
- 1999 Donald A. Becker
- 1999 Timothy C. Gau
- 1999 Richard D. Kauzlarich
- 2001 Kurt Kroenke
- 2002 Marilyn L. Haas
- 2002 Jacki L. Lyden
- 2004 Bill Steinbrecher
- 2006 Paula Groncy
- 2008 Stephen Furbacher
- 2009 John Golbeck
- 2009 Mark Wedel
- 2010 Christopher McDougle
- 2012 Joel Bussert
- 2013 Mark Marquardt
- 2015 Sandra Rosenthal
- 2015 Verne R. Schneider
- 2016 Roger Brauer
- 2016 Donald Feucht
- 2017 Robert Bryant
- 2018 Kraig Olejniczak
- 2018 Inez Parker
- 2019 Eric Bittner
- 2021 Denise Harlow
- 2021 James Torgerson
- 2022 Jennifer Love–Pruitt
- 2023 Norma Cook Everist
- 2024 Juanita Fox '78 Gryfinski, MSN, M.S., M.A.
- 2025 Erin Wickland ’04 Hendricks
- 1982 H. Harry Henderson
- 1982 Dorothy Schoknecht
- 1982 Thomas Schutte
- 1982 Everett A. Sisson
- 1982 Victor C. Waldschmidt
- 1983 Charles H. Foelber
- 1983 Gordon W. Helms
- 1983 Gerald E. Pelzer
- 1983 Garry S. Puetz
- 1983 Kenneth O. Timm
- 1984 Richard W. Bimler
- 1984 Charlotte J. Kroemer
- 1984 Louis S. Morgal
- 1984 Rodney B. Poppe
- 1984 Wesley W. Ratliff, Jr.
- 1984 Kenneth W. Schreiber
- 1984 Fred A. Wittlinger
- 1985 Craig B. Anderson
- 1985 Robert K. Boknecht
- 1985 Raymond K. Bopp
- 1985 Phyllis N. Kersten
- 1985 Edward J. Kirk
- 1985 Gerhard W. Schottman
- 1985 James Wacker
- 1986 Marjorie J. Albohm
- 1986 Patricia Shook Boice
- 1986 Donald M. Luepke
- 1986 Carl J. Schuette
- 1987 G. Glen Ellis, Jr.
- 1987 Judy L. Hoshek
- 1987 Daniel P. Manka
- 1987 Dan P. McAdams
- 1987 Arthur T. Rasmussen
- 1988 Charles E. "Skip" Bird
- 1988 Eugene E. Brassfield
- 1988 Delores A. Woycik
- 1989 Carole M. Harder
- 1989 James Y.K. Moy
- 1990 William G. Conover
- 1990 Miriam L. Fretthold
- 1990 David C. Leege
- 1990 Charles B. Smerick
- 1990 Fred H. Wehrenberg
- 1991 Robert K. Duerr Jr.
- 1991 Harvey P. Grotrian
- 1991 Mary E. Junck
- 1991 Kenneth V. Meyer
- 1991 Charles A. Vandersee
- 1991 Eunice P. Weidner
- 1992 James L. Fitzpatrick
- 1992 Charles E. Neimier
- 1992 Peter Rucinski
- 1993 Robert P. Heyne
- 1993 Grant A. Krafft
- 1993 Lloyd G. McClendon
- 1993 Joel D. Mugge
- 1993 Darla J. Olberding
- 1993 Donald R. Soeken
- 1994 Lowell E. Baier
- 1994 William Harbeck
- 1994 Pamela K. Jensen
- 1994 Karl W. Mueller
- 1994 Richard W. Strefling
- 1994 Frederick C. Thurston
- 1995 Jobe J. Cerny
- 1995 Walter P. Helmke
- 1995 Fred Nagelbach
- 1995 T. Marshall Rousseau
- 1995 William F. Schroer
- 1995 Alfred L. Seib
- 1995 Judith O. Sherman
- 1995 E. Louise Williams
- 1996 Thomas Baerwald
- 1996 Robert G. Bryant
- 1996 Phillip T. DeLassus
- 1996 James W. Mueller
- 1996 Robert A. Schuneman
- 1997 Ronald E. Gother
- 1998 Heather L. Johnson
- 1998 Craig A. Wolfanger
- 1999 V. Patrice Kraus
- 1999 Joyce E. Lohrentz
- 1999 Linda J. Roettger
- 2000 Thomas Denig
- 2000 Ralph W. Johnson
- 2000 Nancy J. Paunicka
- 2000 Karen L. Soeken
- 2001 Robert D. Rucker
- 2002 Richard C. Gozon
- 2002 Rebecca R. Pallmeyer
- 2002 Richard E. Sering
- 2003 Gene H. Hennig
- 2003 Warren G. Hoger
- 2003 Kurt M. Senske
- 2004 David Kohlstedt
- 2004 Michael Swygert
- 2005 Stephen M. Buente
- 2005 Randy Carson
- 2005 Ruth M. Heinig
- 2005 Heidi A. Michelsen
- 2005 Richard A. Paul
- 2005 Larry W. Zimmerman
- 2006 John Draheim
- 2006 John Duxbury
- 2006 Jon Steinbrecher
- 2007 Linda Allen
- 2007 James Beyreis
- 2007 Duane Rabe
- 2008 John Hoehner
- 2008 Philip Leege
- 2009 Carsten Falkenberg
- 2009 Diana J. Leland
- 2010 Edythe Abdullah
- 2010 John Durkovic
- 2010 Maggie Harris
- 2010 Christopher Hunt
- 2010 Keith Kizer
- 2010 Micheal Rinehart
- 2011 Gregory Alles
- 2011 Arthur Burkman
- 2011 Sally Kohlstedt
- 2011 Cheryl Schrader
- 2012 Robert Dixon
- 2012 Andrew Herrmann
- 2012 Jeff Raday
- 2013 Shirley Dorow
- 2013 Christopher Koetke
- 2013 Harold Mobley
- 2013 Beverly Schultz
- 2013 Stuart Walesh
- 2014 Erik Hromadka
- 2014 Janet Schwartz
- 2015 Dale Ciciora (posthumous)
- 2015 Bryce Drew
- 2016 Paul Maechtle
- 2016 David Yamada
- 2017 Kathryn Kleinhans
- 2017 Susan Spaeth
- 2018 Timothy Duerr
- 2018 Beckie Ramstack Thompson
- 2018 Beth Eser Wrobel
- 2019 Elizabeth Tatro Grossart
- 2019 Loren Lorig
- 2019 Richard Pierce
- 2019 Thomas Rossin
- 2020 Donald P. Lewis, Jr.
- 2020 Eugene Schoon
- 2020 Donna Livingston Streufert
- 2020 Christine Zrinsky
- 2021 Mark Guilfoil
- 2022 Mark Fisher
- 2022 Luke Gore
- 2022 Rhoda Grever Schuler
- 2022 Tiffany Vivo
- 2023 Natalie Krivas
- 2023 Lisa Scherzer Polito
- 2023 Matthew Martin
- 2024 Jim Lancaster ’91, M.S.
- 2024 Dot Allwardt ’60 Nuechterlein, M.S.
- 2024 Beth Orling ’65, M.A., M.Div
- 2024 Gail Dorothy Ramshaw ’68, Ph.D., D.Div.
- 2024 Nicholas Skytland ’02, M.S., MBA
- 2025 Sherry Budziak '92
- 2025 Peter Dull '90
- 2001 Robert G. Bryant
- 2001 Julie M. Meyer
- 2001 Meg C. Neal Mercer
- 2002 Amy L. Acton
- 2002 Kim A. Walesh
- 2004 Denise Casalino
- 2005 Loren Rullman
- 2005 Julia Stepenske
- 2005 Julie M. Winkler
- 2006 Christopher Brown
- 2006 Andrew Nunemaker
- 2007 Mikko Lipasti
- 2007 Scott Sanders
- 2008 Scott Drew
- 2008 Nick Skytland
- 2009 Patty Cisneros
- 2010 Samantha Ahuja
- 2010 Kimberly Brandt
- 2011 Katherine Dean
- 2011 Holly Messick
- 2012 Ginger Zuidgeest
- 2013 Jonathan Pasky
- 2014 Jumah Al–Mazrouie
- 2014 Joshua Lee
- 2015 Danielle Carrig
- 2016 Larry Mowry
- 2016 Benjeman Nichols
- 2017 Christine Uptain
- 2018 Hannah Cartwright
- 2018 Jason Hallman
- 2018 Dayna Smoljo Johnson
- 2019 Michael Allen
- 2019 Cristal Clark
- 2020 Sarah Benczik
- 2020 Neeti Mathur
- 2020 Erik John “EJ” Ramos
- 2021 Adam Amin
- 2021 Homoud Kulaiban
- 2021 Kristen Kollmann Puchek
- 2022 James Lockridge
- 2022 Jaclyn Kollmann Wuebbles
- 2023 Alexander Uryga
- 2023 Michael Steffen
- 2023 Ashley Lindenmier
- 2024 Kaitlyn Steinhiser ’21
- 2024 Joshua Wood ’08, M.S., Ph.D.
- 2018 Jonathan Busarow
- 2018 Meredith Garofalo
- 2019 Shannon Speaker Chaney
- 2019 Steven Lehmann
- 2020 Lindsey Gilman
- 2020 Andrew Robinson
- 2021 Abdullah Pratt
- 2023 Benjamin Macy
- 2024 Andrew Schrader ’14, M.S., Ph.D.
- 2025 Hayden Hast '15
- 2025 Kent Warren '15
- 1965 Albert F. Scribner
- 1966 Raymond L. Scherer
- 1967 Richard Pell
- 1968 Emory Bauer
- 1968 Paul H. Brandt
- 1968 Walter R. Schur
- 1969 James W. Chester
- 1970 Gilbert A. Krause
- 1970 Richard C. Oster
- 1971 George Beto
- 1971 John Bolgert
- 1971 Robert C. Moellering
- 1973 Julius Acker
- 1973 Louis A. Jacobs
- 1974 Paul G. Fleck
- 1974 William R. Tatman
- 1975 Bette A. Froehlich
- 1975 Norman Luekens
- 1975 Arthur D. Wellman
- 1976 Paul F. Nieter
- 1976 John P. Schroeder
- 1977 John P. Sauerman
- 1977 Herbert E. Steinbach
- 1978 Elmore L. Boeger
- 1978 Charles F. Lembke
- 1979 Walter Christopher
- 1979 Jacqueline Jungemann
- 1979 Gary A. Wolfanger
- 1980 Edward E. Busse
- 1980 Herbert H. Friese
- 1981 Joseph W. Bibler
- 1981 Robert H. Duesenberg
- 1981 Peter L. Krentz
- 1981 George P. Mallers
- 1981 Elmer P. Simon
- 1981 Herbert F. Stride
- 1982 Burton O. Bosch
- 1982 Shirley M. Sauerman
- 1983 Arthur W. Gray
- 1983 Don F. Heckler
- 1984 Jerry P. Knippa
- 1984 Donald W. C. Stoskopf
- 1984 Glenn J. Tabor
- 1985 Dixon W. and Herta E. Benz
- 1985 Caroline Collings
- 1985 Philip A. Coote
- 1985 Stephen E. Gottschalk
- 1985 Henry G. and Shirley Jud
- 1985 Beatty R. Julien
- 1985 Daniel and Beverly Wick
- 1986 Clyde L. and Patricia A. Berger
- 1986 Walter J. Kretzmann
- 1986 James C. and Johanna E. McGill
- 1986 Dieter H. and Pamela S. Nickel
- 1987 Larry H. Franzen
- 1987 Al A. Meitz
- 1987 Ruth L. Newquist
- 1987 Arthur Stamm Jr.
- 1987 Benjamin H. Vogler
- 1987 Jane C. Wittlinger
- 1987 Albert W. Zimmermann
- 1988 Wayne G. Flesch
- 1988 Dennis G. and Carol A. Oberly
- 1988 Carol S. Petzold
- 1988 Roland W. and Sharon Preuss
- 1989 William A. Bahr
- 1989 Elizabeth L. Crofford
- 1989 Arnold Hilgenkamp
- 1989 Frederick G. Kraegel
- 1989 Phyllis Schuessler
- 1990 Janet E. Funk
- 1990 William R. Heerman
- 1990 Alan S. and Carolyn E. Morrisson
- 1990 Susan R. Steinbruecker
- 1990 Barbara A. Young
- 1991 Virginia E. Amling
- 1991 Gary A. Beu
- 1991 David J. and Martha Hessler
- 1991 Marilyn L. Krueger
- 1991 Nils Olaf Lindfors
- 1991 George H.C. Liu
- 1991 Howard M. Metzger
- 1991 Glenn and Gretchen A. Ocock
- 1991 Robert J. Stroebel
- 1992 August H. Bernthal
- 1992 Katharine M. Gerken
- 1992 George W. and Barbara M. McKissick
- 1992 Georgiana I. Schroeder
- 1992 Jon R. and Judy Schumacher
- 1993 John Krause
- 1993 Barbara J. Maas
- 1993 Martha Mattes
- 1993 Norma J. May
- 1993 Paula A. Sauer
- 1993 Robert B. Schuemann
- 1993 Sylvia A. Straub
- 1994 Judith A. Michaels
- 1994 George E. Neeley
- 1994 Susan L. Rosborough
- 1995 H. Jeffrey Dobbs
- 1995 Robert H. and Lorraine F. Duesenberg
- 1995 Josephine A. Ferguson
- 1995 L. Jane Lichtfuss
- 1995 John M. and Sandra A. Oelschlaeger
- 1995 Alan R. and Judith A. Pretzel
- 1995 Barbara E. Riethmeier
- 1995 Joseph P. and Kathryn K. Sauer
- 1995 Paul C. Thune
- 1996 Robert M. Cotton
- 1996 Heather C. McGill
- 1996 Roger D. Sims
- 1997 Phyllis E. Duesenberg
- 1997 Beverly D. Wick
- 1998 Timothy P. Duerr
- 1998 Kenneth C. Rakow
- 1998 Richard Schoenbohm
- 1998 Margaret A. Zobel
- 1999 Harold J. Moellering
- 2000 N. Cornell Boggs III
- 2001 Lorraine E. Dorough
- 2002 Marie R. Klugman
- 2003 Judy A. Mason
- 2003 Christine M. Zrinsky
- 2004 Mark Ennes
- 2004 Cindy Felton
- 2004 Karen Moseley
- 2004 Will Reimer
- 2005 Joel S. Jenkins
- 2005 R. Razz Jenkins
- 2005 Thomas R. Marshall
- 2006 Russell Felten
- 2006 Sandra Kinsella
- 2007 Susan Dippold
- 2007 Janyce Duesenberg
- 2008 Charles Bischoff
- 2008 Candace Kilpinen
- 2009 Norman Echstaedt
- 2009 Shirley Honold
- 2009 Edie Hovey
- 2009 Robert Kirtland
- 2009 Brad Pierce
- 2010 Linda Deal
- 2010 Rebecca Duesenberg
- 2010 Heidi Jark
- 2011 Laura Brothers
- 2011 Robert Grossart
- 2011 Carolyn Hanes
- 2011 Molly Kelly
- 2011 Bruce Lindner
- 2011 Mike Rickman
- 2011 Mark Rutherford
- 2011 David Valentine
- 2012 Rhoda Decatur
- 2012 Paul Jud
- 2013 Lewis Bolitho (Posthumous)
- 2013 Kenneth Kastman
- 2013 David Samber
- 2013 Eugene Schoon
- 2014 Linda Ertel
- 2014 Thomas Madden
- 2015 J.P. Avila
- 2015 Deb Evans
- 2015 David Hollenbeck
- 2015 Susan Zimmerman
- 2016 Kathryn Hronec Anderson
- 2016 Michael Van Beek
- 2017 Kathryn Baerwald
- 2017 Victoria Flood
- 2017 Dot Nuechterlein
- 2018 Joe Gillen
- 2018 Ralph Johnson
- 2018 Norm Volk
- 2019 Nathan Gordon
- 2019 Katharine Wehling
- 2020 Connie Bretscher
- 2020 Lindsie Jung Fransen
- 2020 Lisa Boehm Rice
- 2021 Jill VanDalen
- 2021 Claire Rueffer Schoepp
- 2021 Isaac Schoepp
- 2022 Michael Nevergall
- 2023 Frank Costanza
- 2024 Chelsey Bradford ’16 Gordon, P.E.
- 2025 Andy Meyer ’95
- 2025 Sara Manske '97
- 1993 Richard J. and Carolyn R. Blum
- 1993 Ken and Anne L. Mangelsdorf
- 1993 William T. and Eunice E. Seeber
- 1994 Allen L. and Sue E. Burreson
- 1994 Ralph and Carla M. Ganswindt
- 1999 Kyle E. Clor
- 1999 Corliss Marowske
- 1999 Ross H. and Lois M. Prange
- 2000 Bob E. and Luanne S. Beumer
- 2000 Paul W. & Dorothy Lange
- 2001 Robert P. and Karen E. Grossart
- 2001 Larry W. and Susan C. Zimmerman
- 2003 Kenneth C. and Marlene Rakow
- 2003 Lambert J. and Nita V. Runge
- 2007 Hank and Kathy Bardenhagen
- 2009 Martin and Deanna Stritof
- 2012 Edward and Hildred Tornberg
- 2013 Timothy and Leslie Paul
- 2015 Mark and Kathleen Helge
- 2018 Sylvia and Tom Luekens
- 2020 Linda Davis Funke and Eric Funke
- 2021 Linda Olsen Ertel and Tom Ertel
- 2005 Stephen Jenny
- 2005 Ronald L. Millies
- 2005 Lois J. Niemier
- 2008 Diane Paetz
- 2008 Harriet Redman
- 2009 Gerri Long
- 2010 Steven Heronemus
- 2010 James Ralls
- 2010 Karen Seykowski
- 2011 John Albers
- 2011 Adele Harrison
- 2011 Ann Rehbein
- 2011 Michael Rehbein
- 2012 Ernest Johnson
- 2014 Jill Schlueter–Kim
- 2014 Venice Williams
- 2015 Eugene Hennig
- 2015 Jeffrey Human
- 2015 Patricia Krause
- 2015 Jon Slock
- 2016 Paul Schreiner
- 2016 Corrine Vogel
- 2016 Roger Vogel
- 2017 Kenneth Bailey
- 2017 Walter DeMoss
- 2017 Philip Hahn
- 2017 Anton Lutz
- 2018 Lorraine Gaunt Dorough
- 2018 Martha Selle Hartman
- 2018 Ted Hartman
- 2019 Elizabeth Hecht DeMik
- 2019 Thomas DeMik
- 2019 Jess Hunter–Bowman
- 2019 Kathleen Ulm
- 2020 Diane Marten
- 2020 Dolores "Lorrie" Spruth Woycik
- 2021 Kimberly Krenzke Eveler
- 2021 Thomas Serratore
- 2022 Kristen Bruner Baltrum
- 2022 Mitchell Peters
- 2023 Laurie Horlock Dayon
- 2023 Cheryl Lapain Plummer
- 2023 Pete Land
- 2024 Scott Roller ’94, M.S.
- 2025 Connie Rudd ’97 BSN Hannon
- 2025 Bill Tadevich '89
O.P. Kretzmann Award
- 1982 Alfred R. Looman
- 1988 Arlene E. Laesch
- 1988 Robert Springsteen
- 1989 Fred W. Kruger
- 1989 Paul E. Thune
- 1990 Richard P. Koenig
- 1992 Melvin H.. Doering
- 1993 William V. Domke
- 1994 Max Nagel
- 1995 Donald R. Peters
- 1995 Dolores M. Ruosch
- 1999 Bette J. Galow
- 1999 John "Jack" A. Ohlfest
- 1999 Robert E. Schroer
- 2000 Rebecca L. Balko
- 2000 Vernon Hislope
- 2000 Ellen R. Meyer
- 2001 Cynthia K. Mueller
- 2003 Gail Eifrig
- 2003 Dorothy R. Herscher
- 2003 Jane S. Lohmeyer
- 2003 Edgar J. Luecke
- 2004 Bill Karpenko
- 2005 Lou Jeanne Walton
- 2006 Charlotte Strahm
- 2008 Joanne Albers
- 2008 Wesley Maiers
- 2009 Esther Kruger
- 2009 Sally Ochoa
- 2009 Stephanie Umbach
- 2010 Joel Lehmann
- 2010 John Steffen
- 2010 Katharine Wehling
- 2011 John Feaster
- 2011 Dale Kempf
- 2011 Warren Kosman
- 2011 William Schoech
- 2011 Albert Trost
- 2011 Ann Trost
- 2012 John Bernthal
- 2012 James Kingsland
- 2013 Gene Evans
- 2013 Daniel Hart
- 2013 Douglas Kocher
- 2013 Phyllis Schroeder
- 2014 Bruce Berner
- 2014 Barbara Gaebel–Morgan
- 2014 Sylvia Luekens
- 2014 Phyllis Schroeder
- 2015 Elise Alverson
- 2015 Linda Whitton
- 2016 Mel Piehl
- 2018 Margaret Franson
- 2018 Marcia Gienapp
- 2018 Robert Palumbo
- 2019 Derrick Carter
- 2019 Curt Cichowski
- 2019 Jeanie Ensinger Johnson
- 2019 Mark Schwehn
- 2020 Rosalie Levinson
- 2020 Janet Lockridge
- 2020 Jeffrey Brown
- 2020 Gail Peshel
- 2020 Suzanne Zentz
- 2023 Judith Miller
- 2023 Kim Genovese
- 2023 Cynthia Felton
- 2023 Cheryl Slack
- 2024 Jon Kilpinen ’88, Ph.D.
- 1958 O.P. Kretzmann
- 1959 Walter G. Friedrich
- 1960 John A. Sauerman
- 1961 Oliver R. Harms
- 1961 Frederick A. Reddel
- 1962 Sophia D. Heidbrink
- 1962 Karl H. Henrichs
- 1963 Harry G. Barr
- 1963 Louise F. Nicolay
- 1964 Herman C. Hesse
- 1964 Paul E. Rupprecht
- 1965 M. Alfred Bichsel
- 1965 Frank Schwarz
- 1966 Walter E. Bauer
- 1967 Alfred Mayer
- 1968 John A. Morland
- 1968 Frederick Rechlin
- 1968 Bernice Ruprecht
- 1969 Albert G. Huegli
- 1970 Allen E. Tuttle
- 1971 Luetta Henrichs
- 1971 Ewald H. Mueller
- 1971 Joan S. Mueller
- 1971 Dana Schwanholt
- 1972 Mabel Frank
- 1972 Louis A. Wehling
- 1973 Erwin E. Goehring
- 1973 Vera T. Hahn
- 1974 Wilma O. Jacobs
- 1974 Margaretta Tangerman
- 1975 Theodore Hoelty–Nickel
- 1975 A. J.W. LeBien
- 1975 Elfrieda M. LeBien
- 1975 Beata P. Madoerin
- 1976 B. Gene Bartow
- 1976 Henry J. Moellering
- 1977 Emmett Dedmon
- 1977 Helen G. Hesse
- 1977 Rae M. Huegli
- 1977 Henry J. Neils
- 1977 Lydia S. Ohlson
- 1977 Edward A. Seegers
- 1978 Alfred E. Jordan
- 1978 Edwin H. Koeneman
- 1978 Helen M. Koeneman
- 1978 Rudolph E. Rehmer
- 1979 Ellen E. Schnabel
- 1979 Robert V. Schnabel
- 1980 Holger G. Cattau
- 1980 E. Stanley Enlund
- 1980 Leslie F. Frerking
- 1980 Harlan Hartner
- 1980 Karl E. Lutze
- 1980 Esther M. Lutze
- 1980 Arthur S. Malasto
- 1980 Armin C. Oldsen
- 1980 A. Clara and Spencer Werner
- 1981 Vincent V. Anderson
- 1981 Harold G. Bernthal
- 1981 Eleanor R. Koenig
- 1981 Betty Kretzmann
- 1981 Russell J. Matthias
- 1981 Elenora Pennekamp
- 1981 Willard A. and Leitha Richardson
- 1982 J. M. (Jacobi Melius) Christiansen
- 1982 Charles A. LaToza
- 1982 Priscilla E. Nagel
- 1982 Robert S. Teibel, Sr.
- 1983 Wilbur H. Hutchins
- 1983 Tom Lasorda
- 1983 Leo J. McAuliffe
- 1984 Philip K. Gehring
- 1984 David L. Litten
- 1984 Jane M. Looman
- 1984 Ella B. Pelz
- 1984 Irma K. Schmalz
- 1984 Kenneth G. Suesens
- 1985 Victor J. Dankis
- 1985 Rupert and Ruth E. Dunklau
- 1985 Paul W. Lange
- 1985 Orville C. Redenbacher
- 1986 Dorathy E. Heffernan
- 1986 Emil Jochum
- 1986 Russell H. & Lucille Lochmann
- 1986 Walter W. Stuenkel
- 1987 Doreen I. Gray
- 1987 Bernhard Hillila
- 1987 Harvey D. Lange
- 1987 Ruth Russler
- 1987 Robert L. Zimmer
- 1988 John H. Barcroft
- 1988 Vi Brelje
- 1988 Charles E. Laue
- 1988 Martha E. Schmidt
- 1989 Donald L. Baeder
- 1989 Marilyn L. Bahls
- 1989 Alan F. and Diane C. Harre
- 1989 J. Ron McLeod
- 1991 Frederick E. Schmid
- 1991 Barbara Wilson
- 1992 Ralph P. Betker
- 1992 Ernest J. Dossin
- 1993 Willis Boyd
- 1993 Carlos Messerli
- 1993 V. Hugo Schmidt
- 1993 John R. Steinbruck
- 1994 Hannah E. "Betsy" Bird
- 1995 Charles W. Dull
- 1995 Harley W. Snyder Jr.
- 1995 Charles P. Welter
- 1995 Donna D. Welter
- 1995 Wayne B. Welter
- 1996 Victor Freudenberg
- 1996 Henry and Laura Prahl
- 1997 David A. Kruse
- 1998 Harold Russert
- 2001 Frank Sullivan Jr.
- 2002 John Mason
- 2003 Thomas DeMik
- 2004 Clarence Hamann
- 2004 Robert Wennerstrom
- 2004 Robert Woiwod
- 2006 Lois Mitchum
- 2007 Debbi Miner
- 2008 Mark Heckler
- 2008 Veronica Heckler
- 2008 Sandy Paukner
- 2010 Susan Bolitho
- 2011 Richard Baepler
- 2011 Dawn Rickman
- 2012 Raymond Clark
- 2012 Jerry Wagenblast
- 2015 Norm Amundsen
- 2015 Suman Das
- 2018 Janet Brown
- 2018 Todd Ickow
- 2021 Edgar Senne
- 2022 Mark LaBarbera
- 2022 Mark Wilson
More Information
The VUAA recognizes alumni in eight different areas of achievement and non–alumni can be nominated for an Honorary Alumni Membership Award.
The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award is the highest distinction the alumni association can bestow. This award honors alumni who have enhanced the prestige of the University by virtue of their character, integrity, and nationally recognized personal accomplishments.
The Alumni Achievement Award honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen career or area of professional life.
The Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Award honors alumni, under the age of 40, who have enhanced the prestige of the University by virtue of their character, integrity, and personal accomplishments.
The First Decade Achievement Award honors an alumnus/alumna for outstanding professional achievement, community service, and or service to the University during the first decade following the completion of his/her undergraduate degree. Alumni are eligible for this award in their 10th reunion year. (NEW AWARD STARTING IN 2018)
The Alumni Service Award recognizes alumni who have rendered outstanding service to the University.
The Partners in Service Award honors individuals who have worked jointly to render significant service to the University, with at least one of the individuals being a Valparaiso University alumnus/alumna.
The Alumni Community Service Award honors alumni who have enhanced the prestige of the University by virtue of their character and integrity through outstanding service in their community, including religious, civic, or charitable organizations or programs, either local or national in scope and structure.
The O.P. Kretzmann Award honors alumni who have made a special contribution to the development of Valpo through long–time and exemplary service as a University employee for at least 15 years.
Honorary Alumni Membership is granted to persons who are not alumni, but who exemplify the ideals of achievement and service in their association with the University.
Selection Process
The Valparaiso University Alumni Association solicits nominations for the awards from all alumni, former award recipients, and other members of the University community. An alumni award committee comprised of the VUAA Board of Directors reviews the materials submitted for each candidate and selects nominees whose achievements fit the category for which they have been nominated and who are deemed most deserving of recognition. The names of those selected are then recommended to the Association's Board of Directors for action.
The deliberations of the awards committee and the board are kept confidential. Those individuals chosen to receive awards will be honored during the Homecoming and Family Weekend awards dinner.
Alumni enrolled at or employed by the University and voting members of the University's Board of Directors and the Association's Board of Directors are not eligible.
Nominations
Nominations may be submitted electronically or by mail (see below). Your nomination should include:
- A completed nomination form with your name and address and that of your nominee and her or his supporters.
- The candidate's curriculum vitae or resume (if available), plus any other information you feel will be relevant to the committee's decision.
- Two letters of support (required) from others who know your nominee and of her or his accomplishments (see below for more information).
Letters of Support
Two letters of support are required. You can either provide the letters with your nomination packet or ask supporters to send their letters directly to the Valparaiso University Alumni Association address below. Please share the criteria for the awards and the suggestions listed below with those writing letters in support of your nominee.
Supporters should answer the same basic questions:
- What is your relationship to the candidate, and how have you gained your knowledge of her or his accomplishments?
- Which of your candidate's achievements fulfill the criteria for one of the Valparaiso University Alumni Association awards?
- What impact has your candidate had on the profession, service, or community in which he/she has been active? In general terms, please explain the impact of the candidate's work.
- Do you know what relationship the individual has maintained with the University, its faculty, students, or other alumni since graduation?
- Has your candidate's work had an influence on the broader community beyond her or his own sphere of vocational or volunteer achievement?
- Why is this an appropriate time for the individual's achievements to be recognized?
Submitting Your Nominations
Nominations form, letters of support (required) and other supporting materials (recommended) may be submitted electronically or by mail.
Valparaiso University
Career & Alumni Network
VUAA Award Committee
1509 Chapel Dr.
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Nominations must remain confidential. Please do not inform candidates that they have been nominated, since only a limited number of awards are presented each year.
Have questions?
Career & Alumni Network
Tel: 219.464.5537
Email: vuaa.awards@valpo.edu