Alumni Achievement Award

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

Arthur R. Burkman ’67 earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and German from Valparaiso University and his Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Ill.  He recently retired as the senior pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Highland, Ind., after 26 years.  He previously served for nine years as the pastor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Indianapolis, Ind., and prior to that, five years as pastor of dual parishes Bethany Lutheran Church in Connersville, Ind. and Guardian Shepherd Lutheran Church in Richmond, Ind.  Arthur was a circuit counselor for the Hammond Circuit, Indiana District Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, and was a vicarage supervisor for 20 years in the LCMS.  Burkman also was active in the town of Highland as a town councilman and was on the board of directors for Highland Water Works.  He also kept active at Valparaiso University by being a part of the Valpo Club of Lake County, attending the Institute of Liturgical Studies and mentoring church work vocation students.  He also performed marriages for his three daughters and one son at the Chapel of the Resurrection and he and his wife, Marion, currently live in Highland, Ind.