Lutheran Heritage and Character

The heritage and character of Valparaiso University is evident through the Allen Scholarships offered to students during full-time church work careers, Lutheran Educational Alliance with Parochial Schools (LEAPS), the Bach Institute, and other chapel programs and offerings. Endowment gifts will significantly advance these areas and others related to the Lutheran heritage and character.

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed funds between $25,000 - $49,999 will be distributed according to the following categories, which represent the majority of VU’s financial aid awards:

• Martin Luther Award: for dependents of Lutheran church workers
• Academic Scholarship: Based on grade point average and test scores
• Achievement Awards: Leadership or active participation in activities of specific merit
• International Scholarship: For International students
• Departmental Awards: From a specific academic department, e.g. Biology, English, etc.
• Neighbor State: Equalizes “in-state” tuition costs for students from neighboring states
• Financial Need: Financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Office
• Alumni Heritage: For children of alumni

Donors creating a fund with a gift of $50,000 or more may define additional reasonable preferences for scholarship awards.

Faculty Support and Recognition

We should also note that a significant percentage of the current faculty will reach retirement age by 2009.

Endowed funds sustain faculty scholarship work and research. Increasing endowed funds will better enable Valpo to attract distinguished professors and promising young scholars to our teaching staff.

Faculty support can come in many forms:

• Endowed Chairs - $1.5 million to $3 million
  Considered among the highest honor that can be bestowed on a faculty member. The very highest level of performance, along with national and/or international recognition of that performance, is inherent in the guidelines for appointment to a chair.
• Endowed Deanships - $3 million
  The position of a dean may be endowed with a gift of at least $3,000,000, and varies depending on the college selected.
• Research and Teaching Professorships - $500,000
  Typically awarded to junior faculty in recognition of exceptional teaching skill or potential for research.
• Endowed Lectureships - $500,000
  Sponsors periodic (usually annual) lectures by exceptional scholars invited by the university.
• Endowed Faculty Development Funds - $50,000.
  Discretionary funding designed to support activities contributing to the overall professional development of faculty members.

International Studies

Currently, Valpo has study centers in England, Mexico, China and Germany. We also have exchange or co-op programs available in Japan, France, Namibia, Greece and Spain. Students also may take advantage of international opportunities within the United States, such as a semester on the United Nations, Chicago Urban Studies Semester and Washington Semester Program, among others. You can share your love of traveling with Valpo students through a gift to this fund.

Campus Development

Endowed funds to continue campus beautification and adapt buildings to future needs.