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Alumni Award Recipients AWARDS BANQUE T H O M E C O M I N G A N D FA M I LY W E E K E N D S AT U R DAY, S E P T E M B E R 26, 2026
Distinguished Alumna Award Cynthia Layman ’91 Lietz, MSW, Ph.D. 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. Cynthia Layman ’91 Lietz, MSW, Ph.D., has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals, families, and communities through her leadership in social work, higher education, and public service. A nationally respected educator, scholar, and administrator, she currently serves as vice provost and dean of Arizona State University’s (ASU) Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, where she leads one of the nation’s largest colleges dedicated to preparing future public service professionals. After earning a bachelor of arts in psychology from Valparaiso University in 1991, Cynthia discovered the passion that would define her life’s work. “Earning my undergraduate degree at Valpo changed my life,” she says. “It helped me uncover my passion for social work, the field I have worked in now for over 30 years.” She went on to earn a master of social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1993 and a Ph.D. in social work from Arizona State University in 2004. A licensed clinical social worker since 1995, she spent a decade in direct practice before transitioning to higher education, where she has spent more than 20 years preparing future social workers and public service leaders. Today, Cynthia oversees more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students while continuing an accomplished career as a scholar. She has authored three books, published more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, and contributed
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numerous book chapters and professional commentaries that have advanced the field of social work. Her distinguished leadership has been recognized with the Stanlie James Legacy Inclusion Award (2026), appointment as the Ernest W. McFarland Arizona Heritage Chair in Public Policy (2024), the Phoenix Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business Award (2022), designation as an Arizona State University President's Professor (2020), the Academy for Innovative Higher Education Leadership Fellowship (2017), and the Associated Students of Arizona State University Centennial Professor Award (2013). Beyond her work at ASU, Cynthia serves on the executive board of Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, the Morrison Institute Board, the United States Government Accountability Office’s Educators’ Advisory Council, and Voices for National Service. Valpo’s influence extends beyond her career. It was where she met her husband, with whom she celebrates 35 years of marriage this year, and where she formed lifelong friendships. She also credits her experience as a resident assistant under Dean Dolores Ruosch, M.S., with helping develop the leadership skills that have guided her career. While she is proud of her professional accomplishments, Cynthia says her greatest achievement is the family she and her husband have built together. “My relationship with my husband, two sons, their wives, and our two grandchildren is by far the greatest blessing in my life.” Receiving this recognition from her alma mater is especially meaningful because, she says, “Valparaiso University is an incredible institution that is making a positive difference in the lives of its students and the community.” 2026 V UA A AWA R D R EC I P I EN T S | 3
Distinguished Alumna Award Kari Hanson ’89 Kleven, MSW, LCSW 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. Kari Hanson ’89 Kleven, MSW, LCSW, has built a life and career rooted in social justice, compassionate service, and the belief that meaningful change begins with curiosity, courage, and a willingness to imagine something different. A graduate of Valparaiso University with a bachelor of arts in international economics and cultural affairs, Kari went on to earn a master of social work from the University of Minnesota in 1995 and became a licensed clinical social worker. Her commitment to service began early. Following her graduation from Valpo, Kari spent two and a half years in Honduras with the Peace Corps before returning to Minneapolis, where she built a career in social work and a life with her husband, Tom. Along the way, she has remained deeply engaged in her church and community, including ongoing service with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and participation in community song circles and Singing Resistance. In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic made traditional therapy difficult, Kari saw an opportunity to rethink how mental health care could be delivered. She envisioned bringing therapy outdoors, allowing children and families to connect with nature as a partner in the therapeutic process. When the larger system where she worked could not accommodate the idea, she left to pursue it herself. “I had never considered myself an entrepreneur,” Kari recalls. Yet she knew how to be guided by an idea, work hard, incorporate feedback, and remain grounded 4 | VA L PA R A I S O U N I V ER S I T Y
in what she believed mattered. That approach led to the creation and growth of an urban, nature-based therapy practice. By 2026, the practice had grown to a team of 10 providers offering nature-based therapy to clients of all ages, with insurance coverage and sliding-scale fees helping make services accessible to a broad range of clients. Kari traces that willingness to think differently directly to her Valpo education. “The opportunities for faith and value formation, integrated throughout my experiences on campus, shaped a sense of responsibility to use the privilege and whatever influence I would have ... to work toward making the world a better place.” She also credits Christ College – The Honors College and her professors with teaching her to value critical, independent, and integrative thinking. Now, at 59, Kari says she is learning to lead with both intellect and heart. “There is serious work to be done, and we can do it better if we welcome in play and joy,” she says. Kari’s connection to Valpo remains strong through lifelong friendships, Christ College alumni gatherings, and visits to campus. She remembers her years at Valpo as a formative time filled with friendship, faith, intellectual discovery, music, laughter, and community. “How lucky I was — we all were — to have that time together,” she reflects. Kari accepts this recognition not only as an honor for herself, but as a tribute to the countless social workers and community helpers whose work advances healing, well-being, and justice. In doing so, she embodies the values she first began cultivating at Valpo and continues to put into practice every day.
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Alumni Achievement Award Brandi Anstine ’12 M.S. Honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen career or area of professional life. Brandi Anstine ’12 M.S. has built a career centered on service, leadership, and strengthening the communities she calls home. A respected healthcare executive and dedicated civic leader, she has spent her professional life helping organizations thrive while ensuring they remain focused on improving the lives of others. After earning a bachelor of science in political science from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, Brandi completed her master of science in sports administration at Valparaiso University in 2012. She later expanded her executive leadership expertise through the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Anderson Health Care Executive Program. Today, she serves in executive leadership at a Federally Qualified Health Center, where she helps lead an organization committed to providing accessible, compassionate healthcare and meeting people where they are. Her professional leadership has earned recognition throughout Northwest Indiana, including the Influential Woman Upcoming Woman of the Year in Marketing Award (2014) and selection as one of Northwest Indiana’s 20 Under 40 (2015). She is also an active member of the Ragan Communications Council and the American Marketing Association. Service has remained a defining characteristic of Brandi’s career. She has chaired the PALS (Professionals Advancing Local Success) Young Professional Board for the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Indiana and the March of Dimes Northwest Indiana chapter, while also serving in leadership roles with the Valpo
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Parks Foundation, Valpo Schools Foundation, Porter County Museum Foundation, Housing Opportunities, and the East Chicago Carmelite Home Auxiliary Board. Since graduating, Brandi has remained closely connected to Valparaiso University by participating in alumni events, mentoring students, speaking in classes, serving on University panels, and volunteering through the Career Center. Reflecting on her time as a student, Brandi says, “My time at Valpo has really been a defining factor in who I am today.” What she expected to be a brief stop to earn a master’s degree became the place where she found lifelong friendships, discovered a welcoming community, and ultimately made her home. “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.” Her definition of success has also evolved over time. While she once imagined success through elected office or prestigious titles, today she measures achievement differently. “The successes that I would grow to care about had nothing to do with money or titles,” she reflects. Instead, she finds purpose in helping others, strengthening communities, and surrounding herself with people who share those values. Above all, she says she is most proud of “the family members in my life, the friends I have, and the friends that have become family.” Receiving this recognition from Valparaiso University leaves her, she says, “truly honored and humbled.”
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Alumni Achievement Award S. Glenn Jaffe ’99, D.C. Honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen career or area of professional life. Glenn Jaffe ’99, D.C., has built a distinguished career as a chiropractic physician, healthcare advocate, author, and leader, while remaining deeply committed to the values of service, excellence, and community that first took root during his time at Valparaiso University. After earning a bachelor of science in human life sciences from Valpo in 1999, Glenn completed both a bachelor of science in human biology and a doctor of chiropractic degree at the National University of Health Sciences. Since 2006, he has served as president and CEO of Jaffe Chiropractic in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he has established himself as a respected clinician and advocate for the chiropractic profession. Throughout his career, Glenn has held numerous leadership positions dedicated to advancing chiropractic care and strengthening the profession. He currently serves as chairman of the Better Access to Chiropractic Political Action Committee (BACPAC), district director and board member of ChiroCongress, chairman of the North Carolina Chiropractic Association Legislative Committee, and a member of the Chiropractic Future Strategic Plan Leadership Committee. His service includes nearly a decade of leadership with the North Carolina Chiropractic Association, including terms as president, board officer, and director. His contributions have earned widespread recognition, including the Legacy of the Longleaf Pine for Distinguished Service and Leadership, Doctor of the Year, and Member of the Year honors from the North Carolina Chiropractic Association. In
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2025, he added author to his accomplishments with the publication of Chiropractic, Culture, and the Climb, and he continues to share his expertise as a national speaker on leadership, advocacy, and professional development. Glenn has also maintained a lasting connection to Valparaiso University through service on the President’s Circle Advisory Committee, as a Valparaiso University Admission Network Ambassador, and as co-organizer of the 2015 and 2022 University Chorale alumni reunions, which brought more than 100 alumni back to campus to celebrate the enduring legacy of Dr. Bach Institute Founder and Professor Christopher Cock, DMA. Reflecting on his time at Valpo, Glenn says, “People often ask what made Valpo so special, and I always find it difficult to answer because it wasn't any one thing. There was simply something about being there — the people, the sense of community, the culture, and the shared pursuit of something larger than ourselves.” He credits his four years in University Chorale under Professor Cock with teaching lessons that extended far beyond music, including discipline, excellence, and servant leadership. “The further away I get from my years as a student,” he says, “the more I appreciate how profoundly they shaped me.” Those experiences continue to guide his leadership today, cultivating a lifelong commitment to “lead through service, pursue excellence with purpose, and invest in something larger than myself.” Receiving this recognition from Valpo is especially meaningful to Glenn. As he reflects, “Perhaps the greatest compliment an alumnus can receive is to know they carried something of the institution into the world, and in doing so, reflected its purpose back to others.”
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Alumni Achievement Award Jonathan “Jon” Dorn ’85, MBA Honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen career or area of professional life. Jonathan “Jon” Dorn ’85, MBA, has spent more than four decades leading with integrity, faith, and a commitment to service. Throughout a distinguished career in engineering and business development, he has combined technical expertise with strategic leadership while remaining dedicated to his community, his church, and his alma mater. After earning a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Valpo in 1985, Jon completed a master of business administration (MBA) at the University of San Diego in 1991. His career with BAE Systems culminated in his role as sector vice president of business development and strategy for the intelligence and security sector, where he led efforts that secured more than $21.7 billion in new business awards while maintaining a greater than 55% win rate. Under his leadership, the sector achieved sustained growth, created employment opportunities for thousands of professionals, and advanced mission-critical capabilities that strengthened national security. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jon has been a respected leader within his industry, serving as chairman of the BAE Systems Business Development Council and as a member of the Board of Directors for the Professional Services Council. Since 2017, he has also served on Valparaiso University’s College of Engineering National Council, helping shape the future of engineering education. In 2025, Jon and his family further demonstrated their commitment to the University by helping establish the Dorn Family College of Engineering Endowment. 10 | VA L PA R A I S O U N I V ER S I T Y
Faith and service have remained central throughout Jon’s life. He has served his congregations in numerous leadership and volunteer roles, including church council member, Sunday school teacher, choir member, and youth leader. His love of music has continued well beyond his college years, including performances as a baritone soloist in Handel’s Messiah and with the Distinguished Concert Choir at Carnegie Hall. More recently, he has combined his passion for teamwork and competition through master’s rowing, earning multiple medals at regional regattas and serving as president of the Rock Creek Rowing Club. Reflecting on his years at Valpo, Jon credits the friendships he formed as among the most influential experiences of his life. He fondly remembers countless hours studying in the basement of the old library with friends who, as he says, “gave me the confidence to try new things and most importantly helped pick me up when I failed.” Those lifelong friendships remain among his most treasured memories, alongside moments of laughter that have endured for decades. Receiving this recognition from Valparaiso University is both “a privilege and honor,” Jon says. He offers special thanks to his wife, Lisa, “who has supported me throughout the last 41 years on this journey of being God’s hands and feet in the world.” That simple philosophy, along with his enduring advice to “Live, Laugh, Love, Go to Church, Sing, and Pray”, has guided both his life and his remarkable career.
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Alumni Achievement Award Lori Voigts ’89 Woodruff, M.S. Honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen career or area of professional life. Lori Voigts ’89 Woodruff, M.S., has dedicated her life to creating classrooms where every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to learn. An award-winning educator, mentor, and advocate, she has spent more than three decades inspiring students while modeling the compassion, resilience, and servant leadership that have defined her career. After earning a bachelor of science in elementary education from Valpo in 1989, Lori continued her professional growth by earning a master of science in reading and literacy from Walden University and a sixth-year education degree from Augustana University. She also holds a Connecticut Professional Educator Certificate along with certifications in social-emotional learning, educator resilience, Greenleaf education, and Creative Connections instruction. Lori’s excellence in education has been recognized at the state and national levels. In 2025, she received the National Education Association Foundation/ Travelers Insurance Award for Teaching Excellence after earning the Connecticut Education Association’s John McCormack Award for Teaching Excellence in 2024. She was also named Teacher of the Year at the Western Connecticut Academy for International Studies in 2022. In addition to her work in the classroom, she has served in numerous leadership roles with the National Education Association and Connecticut Education Association, advocating for educators and students alike. Her commitment to young people extends well beyond the school day. Over the years, Lori has coached Special Olympics athletes, directed her school's drama
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club, participated in Connecticut’s Trout in the Classroom program, and volunteered with an LCC Comfort Dog ministry. She has also remained deeply involved with Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danbury, Connecticut, serving through its choir, handbell choir, and community theater ministry. Reflecting on her time at Valpo, Lori points to one unforgettable classroom moment that changed the course of her life. “When I walked into one of my first elementary education classes and experienced the magic of Ann Reiser’s, Ph.D., mesmerizing read-aloud of The Velveteen Rabbit, I was hooked,” she recalls. “I knew that I wanted to bring that same magic to every child who entered my classroom.” That philosophy became the foundation of her teaching. She has spent her career creating safe spaces where students are encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and discover the unique gifts within themselves. Lori credits Valpo with helping shape not only her profession but also her identity. Through lifelong friendships, her involvement with Phi Beta Chi, and the encouragement of professors and mentors, she found a community that nurtured both her faith and her purpose. “Valpo helped me figure out who I was and what was important in my life,” she says. “It gave me my voice. Without my education from Valpo, I would not have been able to have the success and accomplishments I have had. Thank you for this recognition. It means so much to me.”
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Alumni Achievement Award Peter Dull ’90, M.D. Honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen career or area of professional life. Peter Dull ’90, M.D., has built an extraordinary career at the intersection of medicine, infectious disease, and global public health, dedicating his professional life to improving the health and well-being of communities around the world. Throughout his career, he has remained grounded in the values of intellectual curiosity, service, and compassion, which were strengthened during his years at Valparaiso University. After earning a bachelor of science in physics from Valpo in 1990, Dr. Dull completed both a master of science and a doctor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He went on to complete his residency in Internal Medicine at Oregon Health Sciences University before joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s prestigious Epidemic Intelligence Service as a member of the Class of 2000. He later completed a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Emory University, preparing him for a career devoted to addressing some of the world’s most pressing public health challenges. Over the course of his career, Dr. Dull has served in leadership roles spanning clinical medicine, infectious disease research, and global health. His work has included service with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Gates Foundation, where he collaborated with dedicated public health professionals to improve health outcomes both in the United States and around the world. Throughout his career, he has embraced new challenges while remaining committed to the belief that science and medicine can improve lives worldwide. 14 | VA L PA R A I S O U N I V ER S I T Y
Reflecting on his years as a student, Peter credits Valpo with providing the intellectual foundation that shaped his future. “Valparaiso University was formative at a key period of my life,” he says. He points especially to his physics education under Professor Don Koetke, Ph.D., and the academic rigor of Christ College — The Honors College, as experiences that challenged him to think deeply and prepared him for a career that has crossed disciplines and continents. Outside the classroom, Dr. Dull found lifelong friendships as a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He remembers a fraternity of “slightly nerdy and well-intentioned young men” who valued academic excellence, hard work, and fun in equal measure. Those friendships, along with the University’s shared Christian values, continue to shape his approach to both his professional and personal life. Receiving this recognition from Valpo is especially meaningful to Peter. “The school was the right place for me,” he reflects. “It challenged me and set me up for a happy and productive career across a diverse set of paths.” Looking back, he considers himself “beyond lucky” for the opportunities he has been given. From serving alongside passionate public health professionals to building a life with his wife, Judith, their two daughters, Stella and Agnes, and the family whose love and support have made his journey possible.
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Alumni Community Service Award Melinda “Mindy” Jo Kulasa ’85, MBA 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. Melinda “Mindy” Jo Kulasa ’85, MBA, holds a bachelor of science in business administration and finance from Valpo, and has built her career around a simple but powerful philosophy: use your skills, experience, and influence to help others achieve a better quality of life. Mindy says her Valpo experience “set the stage for the servant leadership philosophy that has guided my life’s work for others.” That commitment has shaped a career spanning finance, philanthropy, community leadership, and disability advocacy. Mindy earned her master of business administration (MBA) from Western Michigan University in 2004 and has developed extensive expertise in fundraising, wealth management, planned giving, and strategic leadership. Her professional experience includes leadership roles with Bronson Health Foundation, First of America Bank, National City Bank, and her own consulting firm, Excel Advisory Services. At Bronson, she raised more than $1 million in outright gifts and millions more in planned gifts, while also securing $500,000 in sustainable funding to establish a Mothers’ Milk Bank for the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Yet Mindy’s most meaningful work has increasingly centered on advocacy for people with disabilities. She has served with the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council since 2020 and was reappointed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, J.D., for a 2024–2027 term, serving as treasurer of the executive committee. She also serves as treasurer and immediate past chair of the Disability Network of 16 | VA L PA R A I S O U N I V ER S I T Y
Southwest Michigan, an eight-county organization dedicated to supporting people with disabilities. Her leadership and service with the organization earned her its Outstanding Leadership and Service Award. Her commitment to service extends into her faith and local community. A longtime member of St. Ann Catholic Parish, Mindy has served in a variety of leadership and ministry roles, including catechist, Adoration mentor, lector, and member of the parish strategic planning team. She also maintains a professional commitment to advancing disability rights through the American Association of Persons with Disabilities. For Mindy, service is not simply a professional responsibility; it is a way of life. “My life has been focused on helping others achieve a better quality of life, especially persons with disabilities,” she says. That lifelong commitment makes this recognition particularly meaningful. “This award is very special to me,” she says, adding that she deeply appreciates being celebrated for her “voluntary contributions for the betterment of others.” Though her career has taken her far beyond campus, Valparaiso University remains an important part of Mindy’s story. She has continued to support the University as a donor, returned for Homecoming and Family Weekends, and remains an active reader of Valpo publications.
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First Decade Achievement Award Justin Szaday ’16, Ph.D. 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. Justin Szaday ’16, Ph.D., has built an impressive career at the intersection of computer engineering, computer science, research, and software development. A 2016 graduate of Valparaiso University with a bachelor of science in computer engineering, Justin went on to earn a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2022 and has since worked as a software engineer at Google and Jump Trading. At Valpo, Justin embraced every opportunity to learn, contribute, and explore. During his undergraduate years, he worked in the University’s IT department, served as a Hesse Scholar and teaching assistant, conducted research, and worked as a lab assistant. Those experiences allowed Justin to engage with technology from a variety of perspectives while building relationships that continue to this day. “Valpo was a place where I could truly do a little bit of everything, often at the same time,” Justin recalls. Beyond the academic and professional opportunities, Valpo provided friendships and faculty relationships that became foundational to their future. “I cherish the advice, experiences, and knowledge I received there for shaping who I became and setting my trajectory.” After Valpo, Justin continued that trajectory at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, earning a Ph.D. in computer science in 2022. He then joined Google 18 | VA L PA R A I S O U N I V ER S I T Y
as a software engineer, working in Sunnyvale, California, before moving to New York in 2023 to join Jump Trading, where he continues to work as a software engineer. Looking back, Justin remembers his Valpo experience as not always easy. “I was the student sleeping in class because I had to wake up early to get to campus and stay up late to grade assignments — scrappy, stretched thin, figuring it out.” A decade later, that determination has taken him from teaching and research at UIUC to working on machine learning infrastructure at two of the technology industry’s leading companies. Justin’s vision for the future extends beyond career milestones and classroom accomplishments. “For the next decade, I want to become someone who says ‘I love you’ and ‘yes’ more than ‘sorry’ and ‘no.’” He credits his Valpo experience with giving him both the opportunities and the foundation to pursue a diverse and fulfilling path — and is eager to see where the next decade leads.
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Outstanding Young Alumnus Award Jesse Studyvin ’19, ChFC, TPCP The Outstanding Young Alumnus 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. Jesse Studyvin ’19, ChFC, TPCP, has quickly established himself as a respected financial planner, educator, and entrepreneur, building a career centered on helping families achieve long-term financial security through trust, service, and meaningful relationships. After earning a bachelor of science in business administration from Valpo in 2019, Jesse became a Chartered Financial Consultant and a Tax Planning Certified Professional. Today, he serves as a leader at Cornerstone Legacy Group, where he specializes in helping individuals and families navigate complex financial decisions while developing personalized strategies for lasting financial well-being. His commitment to excellence has earned recognition throughout the financial planning profession. Jesse has qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table each year since 2022 and has received multiple honors from Money Concepts, including the New Heights Award and membership in the Eagles Club. In 2024, he was named Bronze Financial Planner of the Year, and in 2025, he served as a keynote speaker at the Money Concepts Annual Conference. He also presented a four-part educational webinar series on estate planning for financial advisors that attracted more than 2,000 attendees and more than 100,000 views.
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Beyond his work with clients, Jesse is passionate about advancing the profession and increasing financial literacy. He serves on the Money Concepts Advanced Planning Unit and the American College of Financial Services NextGen Advisory Task Force. He also volunteers with Tunnel to Towers, presents Social Security education programs throughout Florida, and supports the Cadet Thomas Surdyke Memorial Foundation. His connection to Valparaiso University remains strong through his leadership in organizing the Valpo Football Alumni Golf Outing, helping raise support for the University’s football program. Reflecting on his undergraduate years, Jesse says receiving this recognition is especially meaningful, explaining that his time at Valpo played a significant role in shaping who he is today. He adds that his college journey “was tumultuous at times,” but credits the relationships, mentorship, and experiences he found on campus with shaping the leader he has become. From Brown Field and Kroenke Hall to late nights at the Café and working alongside Dean Thomas Boyt, DVM, Ph.D., in the College of Business, each experience strengthened the values that continue to guide his career. “My time at Valpo taught me about growth, accountability, teamwork, and being part of something more impactful than one individual’s experience,” he says. Those lessons became the foundation of the relationship-focused culture he strives to build at Cornerstone Legacy Group, one centered on trust, selfless service, and helping people feel supported. Jesse hopes his journey encourages students and young professionals who may still be finding their path. “You do not have to have everything perfectly mapped out to build a meaningful career centered around helping others and making a positive impact in your community.” That belief continues to shape both his profession and his commitment to serving others.
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Outstanding Young Alumna Award Carmen Vincent ’20 The Outstanding Young 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. Carmen Vincent ’20 has built a remarkable career at the intersection of storytelling, advocacy, and community leadership. Whether behind the camera, in the editing room, or leading a nonprofit organization, she has remained committed to using her talents to help people feel seen, heard, and supported. A 2020 graduate of Valparaiso University, Vincent earned a bachelor of arts in digital media, graduating summa cum laude and receiving the Valparaiso University Alumni Association Distinguished Student Award. While still a student, she gained hands-on experience through Valparaiso University Television and the University’s marketing and communications office, laying the foundation for a career dedicated to meaningful storytelling. As founder of Carmen Vincent Films LLC, Carmen has produced documentaries and multimedia projects that explore 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 and has become a catalyst for conversations surrounding disability awareness, first responder education, and more compassionate support for individuals with developmental disabilities and neurodivergence. Her work has also been recognized with the Society of Innovators at Purdue Northwest’s Innovator Award, selection as one of the PNW Innovation Society’s Top 15 Women to Watch, and recognition as one of only 10 Nikon Storytellers Scholars nationwide. 22 | VA L PA R A I S O U N I V ER S I T Y
In 2025, Carmen brought that same mission-driven approach to affordable housing as Executive Director of Project Neighbors, where she strengthened community partnerships, expanded donor engagement, and advanced resident-centered programs. She has also remained active in the documentary film community through leadership and membership in numerous professional organizations while mentoring aspiring filmmakers and presenting to students throughout the region. Despite her many accomplishments, Carmen says her path has never been a straight line. “I have often followed a path that did not look especially linear — from documentary filmmaking and advocacy work to nonprofit leadership and affordable housing — but at the center of all of it has been the same desire to use whatever tools I have to help people feel seen, supported, and less alone.” Reflecting on her decision to attend Valpo, Carmen recalls arriving from Wisconsin after applying to 15 colleges, searching for both opportunity and belonging. “What I found here was much more than a college experience — I found a sense of belonging.” Even after graduating in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, when her plans to move to Los Angeles changed, she chose to build her career in Northwest Indiana, supported by the mentors, professors, and friends who continued to invest in her long after commencement. “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,” she says. Receiving this recognition is especially meaningful because it affirms the vocation that has guided every chapter of her career: using storytelling, leadership, and service to build more compassionate and connected communities.
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Outstanding Young Alumna Award Katelyn Stermer ’14 Donnelly, MPH The Outstanding Young 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. Katelyn Stermer ’14 Donnelly, MPH, has built a career at the intersection of science, medicine, public health, and service — a path she traces directly back to her Valparaiso University education. A graduate of Valpo’s College of Arts and Sciences, Katelyn earned a bachelor of science in chemistry, international service, and humanities in 2014, an academic combination that helped shape her calling as a physician committed to serving others. After Valpo, Katelyn earned a master of public health in epidemiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2017 before earning her M.D. from the University at Buffalo in 2025. She currently serves as a Junior Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and is a member of the Society for Refugee Health Providers and the Gold Humanism Honor Society. In 2026, she received the Marcos B. Gallego M.D. Award for Overall Clinical Excellence in Residency. Her commitment to public health and human dignity has shaped both her professional and volunteer work. She has provided medical and psychiatric forensic evaluations for survivors of torture and persecution seeking asylum, managed a free medical clinic serving uninsured and underserved patients, and advocated for women’s health through the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Congressional Leadership Conferences. Her service has also taken her around the world, including volunteer work 24 | VA L PA R A I S O U N I V ER S I T Y
with children affected by HIV/AIDS and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education initiatives in Durban, South Africa. In 2014, she was one of seven cyclists on the first all-female team to participate in a 4,000-mile crosscountry Ride Against AIDS benefiting Partners in Health’s maternal and child health programs. Katelyn’s dedication to service was recognized in 2023 when she received the Janice E. Arnett Scholarship for Leadership and Volunteerism from Kappa Delta, a national honor recognizing an alumna committed to community leadership. Valpo continues to hold an important place in Katelyn’s life. She served on the Christ College National Council from 2022–2025 and has returned to campus to give guest lectures and participate in symposia in Christ College — The Honors College, chemistry, and sociology. Reflecting on her education, she says Valpo gave her the freedom to explore “all of my academic, social, spiritual, and civic interests.” Rather than being asked to choose a single path, she says students are challenged to grow “in all spheres” and to, in the words of former Dean Emeritus Mark Schwen ’67, Ph.D., “lead lives that matter.” Her own Valpo experience included studying classic literature and debating ideas in Christ College, serving as a chemistry teaching assistant, participating in Kappa Delta, and studying abroad in Costa Rica and Namibia. Those experiences, Katelyn says, gave her “a new perspective on how to be a global citizen.” “I’m humbled by my selection for this award,” Katelyn says, reflecting on the institution that helped shape her. For her, Valpo’s greatest gift was the opportunity to discover that science and the humanities need not be separate pursuits. Together, they could become the foundation for a life of medicine, service, and purpose.
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Partners in Service Award Carol Worthington Schickel, M.A., and Robert “Rob” Schickel ’71 The Partners in Service Award honors individuals who work together to jointly render significant service to the University. Carol Worthington Schickel, M.A., and Robert “Rob” Schickel ’71 have shared a lifelong commitment to faith, service, and Valparaiso University. Together, they have built a legacy spanning generations, rooted in Lutheran values, a love of learning, and a steadfast belief in serving the common good. Valpo has been part of the Schickels’ story for decades. Rob graduated from Valparaiso University in 1971 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering, while Carol was a member of the Class of 1972, attending Valpo for three years before completing her bachelor of arts in history at Indiana University Indianapolis. Their connection to the University extends well beyond their own student years. Carol’s parents also attended Valpo, both of their children and their spouses are graduates, and in 2026 they celebrated another generation when their grandson earned his degree. Throughout the years, Rob and Carol have remained faithful Valpo supporters, returning regularly for Homecoming, worship services, concerts, athletic events, and other campus programs. Rob built a distinguished career as a civil engineer, earning professional engineering registrations in five states. He managed hundreds of projects involving bridges, highways, airports, and railroads, including serving as project manager for the Chicago Skyway Bridge Rehabilitation project, which received Project of the Year honors. Now retired, he continues to share his expertise with the next generation as a member of Valpo’s College of Engineering National
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Council and by teaching senior civil engineering and environmental engineering students in the senior design course. For Rob, engineering has always been a form of service. “My entire career as a civil engineer has been in service to the public,” he says. “I did my work and will continue to do work for the betterment of the community, not individual recognition.” That philosophy reflects values first instilled during his Boy Scout years and strengthened at Valpo. Carol has devoted more than four decades to ministry, counseling, and leadership within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). After earning a master of arts in counseling psychology from the University of North Florida and completing advanced training in pastoral counseling and psychotherapy, she was commissioned as an ELCA deacon in 1985. Her ministry has included serving congregations, counseling individuals and families, guiding candidates for ordained ministry as director for candidacy for the ELCA Churchwide Organization, and co-directing the Lilly Endowment-funded Transition into Ministry initiative. Both Rob and Carol credit Valpo with shaping their understanding of the world and their responsibility to others. Rob recalls that his years at Valpo, during the Vietnam War and civil rights movement, created in him “a desire to work for the common good for all people.” Carol similarly reflects that Valpo “awakened me to a wider world” and encouraged her to become a lifelong learner with a deeper understanding of the needs of people everywhere. Together, the Schickels have carried those lessons into their careers, family, church, and continued service to Valparaiso University. Their lives demonstrate the enduring impact of an education grounded in faith, curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to something larger than oneself.
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Laurel Wreath Society Award Natalie Muskin ’05 Press, M.A. The Valparaiso University Fraternity and Sorority Laurel Wreath Society was created to recognize the accomplishments of fraternity and sorority alumni for their contributions to the greater society. Alumni are recognized for their contribution to philanthropic initiatives and/or public service, or for their commitment to advancing the fraternity and sorority experience on the local, national, or international level. Natalie Muskin ’05 Press, M.A., has dedicated her career to fostering student wellbeing, strengthening communities, and creating meaningful connections that help others thrive. As a mental health professional, educator, and longtime advocate for fraternity and sorority life, she has spent two decades investing in the success of Valparaiso University students both inside and outside the classroom. After earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Valpo in 2005, Natalie completed a master of arts (M.A.) in forensic psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2007. She is a Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor and a certified Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention and Mental Health First Aid trainer. Since returning to Valpo as a staff member in 2010, she has played an integral role in supporting student development, leadership, and wellness while also serving as chair of the University’s Staff Council. Her commitment to prevention and student success has earned recognition through the Indiana Collegiate Action Network’s Campus Luminary of the Year Award for Excellence in Prevention and the Valparaiso University Fraternity and Sorority Experience Friend of the Community Award. She has also been honored
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nationally by Kappa Delta with the Outstanding Chapter Advisory Board Award in recognition of her years of dedicated service. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Natalie remains deeply engaged in service and leadership. She currently serves as secretary of the University Guild Board of Directors, volunteers with the Crown Point Swim Club, and spent nearly two decades advising Valparaiso University’s Kappa Delta chapter, including three years as advisory board chair and more than 14 years as membership advisor. Reflecting on her lifelong connection to Valpo, Natalie says, “My time as a student at Valpo holds some of my dearest memories and led to the creation of my most cherished relationships.” Those experiences inspired her to return to campus as a professional, where she has found purpose in helping students discover the same sense of belonging that shaped her own life. She credits the University’s sorority and fraternity community with inspiring her passion for mentorship and service. “Being a part of a larger community, working toward a mission and a goal, is invigorating and motivating for me in a way that transcends personal achievements and ambition,” she says. “I could not have found a better place to do so.” Over the years, Natalie’s relationship with Valpo has continued to evolve. “I have been a student, a staff member, an alum, a member of the Guild, a sports fan, and a parent,” she reflects. “I can’t wait to see what more we have to experience together!” Receiving this recognition is especially meaningful, she says, because it celebrates the community that has shaped so many chapters of her life and allowed her to help shape the lives of others.
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Laurel Wreath Society Award Joseph Teeple ’13, ’22 MBA The Valparaiso University Fraternity and Sorority Laurel Wreath Society was created to recognize the accomplishments of fraternity and sorority alumni for their contributions to the greater society. Alumni are recognized for their contribution to philanthropic initiatives and/or public service, or for their commitment to advancing the fraternity and sorority experience on the local, national, or international level. 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 2013 graduate with a bachelor of arts in history, Joseph returned to Valpo to earn his MBA in 2022 and has continued to invest in the University and its fraternity and sorority community as both a professional and volunteer leader. Joseph’s Valpo experience was profoundly shaped by his involvement with Phi Sigma Kappa. What began as an opportunity to get involved ultimately led him to serve as president of the Phi Upsilon Chapter, where he developed confidence as a leader and discovered the lasting importance of relationships and shared purpose. “Those experiences became foundational to both my personal and professional life,” he says, noting that the lessons he learned through fraternity life continue to influence him today. After graduation, Joseph remained closely connected to Phi Sigma Kappa, serving on the Phi Upsilon Chapter Alumni Advisory Board from 2013–2016 and as chapter adviser from 2016–2021. He also served as president of the Phi Upsilon Alumni
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Chapter from 2019–2021 and later on the Sigma Triton Chapter Alumni Advisory Board. In recognition of his dedication to mentoring and supporting students, he received the Outstanding Chapter Adviser Award from Phi Sigma Kappa in 2019. Joseph’s commitment to Valpo also became part of his professional career. From 2017–2022, he served in the University’s Office of Advancement as assistant director of annual giving, helping cultivate donor relationships and contributing to the success of the “Forever Valpo: The Campaign for Our Future” campaign. His professional experiences have continued to shape his interest in higher education, and he is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education leadership at Indiana State University. Today, Joseph remains active in the field through membership in the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and the Association for Student Conduct Administration, as well as The National Society of Leadership and Success. Across his professional and volunteer roles, he continues to advocate for the transformative power of community, mentorship, and student leadership. Receiving the 2026 Laurel Wreath Society Award is especially meaningful to Joseph because it recognizes a commitment that has been woven throughout his life. “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,” he says.
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