O.P. KRETZMANN AWARD
recognizes alumni for long-time and exemplary service as a university employee.

Name: Joanne Albers '95
Home: Valparaiso, Indiana

Joanne Albers '95 earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Valparaiso University. She has served the university for 42 years in a variety of roles since 1966 when her husband, James Albers, was director of Brandt Hall, and when he took the position of director of Valparaiso University's study abroad program in Reutlingen, Germany. Albers began her work as secretary to the director of athletics in 1976 and, after a brief interlude as a typesetter, bookkeeper and receptionist at Home Mountain Publishing Co. in Valparaiso, she returned to VU as the faculty secretary for the VU School of Law in 1977. Albers served the School of Law in this capacity for seven years and was promoted to the school's admissions administrator position. In 1990 she went on to become the registrar of the School of Law until 1999. Albers was presented with the Distinguished Staff Member award from the VU School of Law in 1995. Shortly after a brief retirement in 1999, she began working as the administrative assistant to VU's associate provost, a position she held until her final retirement in 2007. Albers is the mother of three Valpo graduates, the mother-in-law of two Valpo graduates, and the wife of a VU professor of theology. In addition, she has served as a member of the National Network of Law School Officers, head marshal of the VU School of Law, Chapel communion assistant, and as a member of the VU Guild.