Alumni Service Award

The Alumni Service Award recognizes alumni who have rendered outstanding service to the university.

Russell Felten ’72 has been a certified financial planner since 1989 and has served as vice president or president of four companies since earning his bachelor of science degree in business administration from Valparaiso University.  He currently is co-owner of Minneapolis Enameling Company and is the company’s director of finance.  A long-time member of the Valpo Club of Minnesota, Felten has supported Valpo through his work in helping to organize the annual Minnesota golf outing and other events throughout the club’s history.  He is a loyal advocate of Valpo athletics and has helped to provide information on local recruits to coaches.  Felten also is a dedicated member of the Valpo Admission Network, participating regularly in college fairs, making individual contacts with admitted students, and hosting receptions at his golf club for high school students interested in attending Valparaiso University.  He and his wife, Yvonne, are members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, Minn., where he is a member of both the fine arts committee and the Reformation choir.

Sharing thoughts on receiving this award, Felten says, “I am truly honored to be receiving this award.  What I have done for Valpo over the years is out of love for the institution based on great respect for the character and intellect of the many administrators, professors, coaches, and staff members who I have had the pleasure of knowing. … My contributions are given out of a desire to see today’s young people have a chance to experience the caring and nurturing environment that is Valpo.”

On his feelings about Valpo, Felten states, “I was a student during a very turbulent time in our nation’s history. … Through it all, and till this day, Valpo has maintained its mission of providing a Christ-centered education focused on providing not only successful leaders but also people with great moral character.  Though many changes have happened to the campus, I always feel a sense of ‘coming home’ when visiting because of the constant influence of the many fine people who make up the Valpo community.”