O.P. Kretzmann Award

recognizes alumni for long-time and exemplary service as a university employee.

Name: Sally Ochoa
Major: Spanish and French
Home: La Porte, Indiana
Employer: (Retired) Valparaiso University
Job Title: Director, International Program - Puebla, Mexico

SALLY (ANDERSON ’59) OCHOA graduated from Valparaiso University with a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish and French and, in 1960, earned her master of arts degree in linguistics from the University of Michigan. Ochoa began her work with VU in 1961 as an instructor, and was then promoted to the rank of assistant professor of Spanish, a role that she filled intermittently until 1972 and, again, from 1990 to 2009. In 1973, she assumed the role of English coordinator, translator, interpreter and recruiter for the American School of Puebla in Puebla, Mexico, a position that she held until 2001. In 1983, Ochoa began serving as the director of the Puebla Study Abroad Program for Valparaiso University, a position that entailed directing and supporting Valpo students through the university's newly-founded study program with the Universidad de las Americas in Puebla. Each spring semester found Ochoa in Puebla, teaching and guiding VU students enrolled in the study abroad program. Every fall semester, Ochoa returned to VU in order to prepare, teach, and orient the next class of students to be enrolled in the Puebla program, as well as to recruit future classes. Additionally, during this time she met with students who had returned from their semesters in Puebla, so as to allow them the opportunity to "debrief" from their intense international experiences. Ochoa's process and shared time between VU and Puebla created a seamless and integrated study-abroad experience for more than 260 Valpo students over the course of her 25-year tenure in her position.