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.

Name:  Mikko Lipasti
Major: Computer Engineering
Home: Middleton, Wis.
Employer: University of Wisconsin, Madison
Job Title: Associate Professor

Mikko Lipasti ’91 is the holder of a bachelor of science degree in computer engineering from Valparaiso University, as well as a master of science degree and a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.  Lipasti is an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.  During his career, Lipasti has worked for IBM Corp., Intel Corp. and Sun Microsystems, and , in addition to holding teaching positions at the University of Minnesota and Carnegie Mellon University.  At the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Lipasti’s teaching has been recognized by the department of electrical and computer engineering with the 2006 Gerald Holdridge Excellence in Teaching Award.  Among Lipasti’s additional awards is the 2002 Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Young Electrical and Computer Engineer Award, an award for which he also received honorable mention in 1999.  Lipasti’s groundbreaking research in the area of dependent data value prediction has been widely cited in the field, and his current work on detecting and eliminating “silent stores” is also drawing much acclaim.

When asked for his thoughts on receiving the VU Alumni Association Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, Lipasti says,  “I am very flattered and pleased to have been selected to receive this award, and I am very proud to join the ranks of prior recipients, all of whom have very distinguished records of achievement.  In many ways, my education and experiences at Valpo laid the foundation for the professional success I have been blessed to enjoy.  Some of the key attributes of my time at Valpo that have been vitally important in my career include the individual attention and close relationships with professors that are enabled by small class sizes, the strong focus on oral and written communication skills and critical thinking, and the integration of a classical liberal education into a rigorous technical engineering program without compromising the critically important spiritual and ethical foundations that stem from Valpo's Lutheran heritage.”

Lipasti holds many fond memories of his time at Valpo, including meeting his wife, Erica (Langenegger '91) Lipasti, building personal relationships with professors, taking part in musical ensembles, and cheering on the Crusaders at basketball games.  Among the many Valpo faculty and staff that he holds in high esteem is “Chuck Krugler ’83, ’91 M.A.L.S., the first person I met at Valpo.  He was an admissions counselor and came to O'Hare to pick me up the day I first arrived in the U.S.  In the true Valpo spirit, he supported and helped me out in countless ways throughout my time at Valpo and became a close, lifelong friend.”

In closing, Lipasti goes on to remember a close friend.  “Finally, I remember with great sadness my Brandt Hall roommate and best friend Dr. Ilpo Kaariainen '90, who tragically passed away last year.  We had innumerable great experiences together at Valpo, and I consider it a tremendous loss that our shared experiences have come to an end so early in life.”