Alumni Community Service Award

honors alumni who have enhanced the prestige of the University by virtue of their character and integrity through outstanding service in their community.

John M. Albers ’85 earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Valparaiso University with majors in Theology and Greek and received his Master of Divinity Degree from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1989.  He started his career in Lake Charles, LA, first as a pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church and then at St. Matthew Lutheran Church.  Albers is currently a pastor of Faith Memorial Lutheran Church in Valparaiso.  He has been very active in the Valparaiso community over the years, merging his professional life as pastor with his interests in being an active leader in the community.  He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club, currently is the chaplain for the Valparaiso Fire Department, is on the Valparaiso Substance Abuse Prevention Committee serving as a leader with the Men’s Overnight Shelter Coalition and a member of the Porter County Coalition for Affordable Housing.  Albers also is very active with Rebuilding Together in Valparaiso, serving locally as the Workday Chair and having previously served as president of the board and on the house selection committee. John has been involved with Rebuilding Together on the national level since 2005 and is currently a member of the National Affiliate Council and has been a member of the National Board of Directors since 2008.  His wife, Debra (Berg ’86) is the associate director of church relations at Valparaiso University.  They and their four children reside in Valparaiso.  Their oldest daughter is a 2010 graduate of Valparaiso University and both sons are current Valparaiso University students.  Their youngest daughter is still in high school.