Alumni Achievement Award

honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen career or area of professional life.

Name:  Duane Rabe
Major: Electrical Engineering
Home: Hawthorn Woods, Ill.
Employer: Duane Rabe & Associates
Job Title: President

Duane Rabe ’76 received his bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from Valparaiso University, later earning a master of science degree in the same field from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1980.  For 30 years, Rabe was employed by Motorola Inc., most recently as vice president of technical staff.  In 2006, Rabe retired to become president of Duane Rabe & Associates, a private consulting firm based in Hawthorn Woods, Ill.  During his time with Motorola, Rabe contributed to the architecture, design, and development of many leading cellular phone models.  Most notably, he served as chief architect for the world’s first commercial digital cellular phones.  Rabe has been honored with Motorola’s distinction of Dan Noble Fellow, the company’s highest honor for technical impact, and their Master Innovator award, the highest recognition for creativity and innovation.  Additionally, Rabe is the inventor of 25 patents, with several more pending.  Rabe serves as a member of the VU College of Engineering National Council and is active in the Valpo Admission Network.

On his life and achievements, Rabe says, “I have been fortunate to work in the communications industry during a period of unprecedented growth and innovation.  I have seen and contributed to the birth and maturing of the cellular industry to the point where instantaneous and ubiquitous communications is now taken for granted.  The pace of change is truly mind-boggling and one’s skills and knowledge can quickly become outdated.  Much of my success in such a tumultuous environment is the result of my education at VU, where I was encouraged to make the commitment to a lifetime of learning and to be guided by high ethical standards in everything I do.”