President’s Breakfast FO R
B E N E FAC TO R S
A N D
S C H O L A R S
Breakfast will be served from buffet stations on both sides of the room. After the invocation, a Valparaiso University staff member will invite each table to the buffet line. The program will begin after the breakfast service.
WELCOME
STUDENT REFLECTION
John S. Prizner III, M.S. Vice President, Advancement
Elizabeth Lieb ’27 Digital Media Arts Major, Christ College Scholar
I N V O C AT I O N
ADDRESS
Alexandra (Ally) Higbee ’28 Nursing Major
The Reverend Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D. President, Valparaiso University
O PE NIN G R E M A R K S
A L M A M AT E R
Sasha Trajkovsi ’29 Biology and Chemistry Double Major
Sylvia Dukles ’62 Luekens Pianist
STUDENT REFLECTION
ADDITIONAL MUSIC
Sabrina Ezell ’27 Chemistry Major, Christ College Scholar
Connor McMahon ’27 Student Pianist, Civil Engineering Major
BIOGRAPHIES John S. Prizner III, M.S., was named
of Management, and Canisius University. Throughout his established career, he has built high-performing teams, cultivated transformational donor relationships, and led fundraising efforts that strengthened mission-driven institutions. At Valpo, John provides strategic direction for alumni relations, philanthropic engagement, donor stewardship, and fundraising operations in support of Valpo’s mission and future generations of students.
Alexandra (Ally) Higbee ’28 is a nursing
Ally also serves as the student leader overseeing the Christian Leadership Formation (CLF) program on campus, helping students grow in their faith and leadership during a weekly symposium. She is grateful for all the ways Valparaiso University has challenged and shaped her, helping her grow spiritually, academically, athletically, and personally.
the Valparaiso University vice president for advancement on August 17, 2026. John brings more than 25 years of proven leadership experience in higher education advancement, strategic philanthropy, alumni engagement, and nonprofit development. Before joining Valpo’s staff, he held advancement leadership roles at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Syracuse University, the University at Buffalo School
major from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and a member of Valpo’s Division I cross country and track and field teams. She serves on the executive board of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), where she is passionate about serving and representing Valpo’s student-athletes. She has been named to the Dean’s List for all four semesters of her college journey so far.
Sasha Trajkovsi ’29 is a biology and
Sasha serves as treasurer of Valpo Science Olympiad, is an active member of Kappa Delta, and serves as vice chair of the Indiana American Heart Association State Advocacy Committee. A recipient of the Valpo Presidential Scholarship, Edith Lessor Endowed Scholarship, and Valpo Fund Alumni Award, she is grateful for the generosity of Valpo donors and looks forward to continuing her journey toward a career in medicine.
Sabrina Ezell ’27 is a chemistry major
her passion for medicine and serving others, and by the many members of the closeknit Valpo community who have guided and motivated her along the way. As she looks forward to medical school, she knows the varied skills and knowledge she has learned at Valpo will provide the foundation of her success in a career as a physician.
Elizabeth Lieb ’27 is a digital media arts
Leadership for Communities of Faith (FLOC) internship program. Other campus involvements include Kappa Delta sorority, Valparaiso University Fiction Review, the Lighter, and Christ College — the Honors College. Encouraged by a positive summer internship at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis, Elizabeth hopes to pursue a career in Christian publishing.
Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D., became
on the message that Valparaiso University “builds lives for good.”
chemistry double major from Crown Point, Indiana. With Professor Julie Peller, Ph.D., she is conducting environmental chemistry research focused on dust analysis and personal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and has earned recognition on the Dean’s List and through the Department of Chemistry’s Achievement in General Chemistry Award. Beyond the classroom,
and Christ College Scholar with minors in biology and Spanish. Outside of the classroom, she helps lead the College Mentors for Kids program and Alliance of Healthcare Professionals organization, and serves as a tutor and teaching assistant for multiple courses in the Department of Chemistry. Sabrina is continually driven by
major and creative writing minor from Jefferson City, Missouri. While she loves singing, reading, and writing, the Christian faith grounds her identity. At Valpo, she leans into her faith through involvement in Celebrate! worship service, LCMS Campus Ministry (LCMS-U), the Lutheran Leaders scholarship program, and the Fostering
the 20th president of Valparaiso University on January 1, 2026. An ordained Lutheran minister and higher education leader, he is focused on strengthening the University’s mission to prepare students for leadership and service in church and society.
Since arriving, Rev. Konkol has emphasized collaboration across campus. Working with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners, he developed a “Strategic Mission Compass” to guide the University’s priorities and future direction. His leadership centers
Originally from Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, Rev. Konkol began his ordained ministry in Guyana with the Evangelical Lutheran Church and later served in South Africa with the ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission program. He served as vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University, and holds degrees from Viterbo University, Luther Seminary, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
A L M A M AT E R Hail to the Brown and Gold! Thy sons and daughters hold In loving loyalty Thy colors dear; Colors whereby they show What others, too, should know; That they belong to you. Dear old Valpo.
Hail to the Brown and Gold! We pledge thee to uphold – Wherever we may be – Thy honored name. Through years that come and go, To pay the debt we owe, We’ll e’er be true to you, Dear old Valpo.
G I V E .VA L P O . E D U