In Their Own Words: Why Alumni and Friends Support 'Our Valpo'

Following are comments from Valparaiso University alumni and friends who have made gifts to the various components—union, engineering, athletics and endowment—of the “Our Valpo, Our Time, 150th Anniversary Initiative.”

UNION

“I was thrilled to learn of the university's endeavor to build a new union and what a sense of community it will provide for the entire campus,” says Colette (Irwin ’81) Knott. “In the fast-paced activities of our society today, we must support what we most value, and what can make a positive difference for our future generations. Valpo does just that.”

Looking back on her days at Valparaiso University, Deborah (Schmalz ’79) Neymark realizes just how much the union enhanced her educational experience. “It was a place to get away from the stress of classes and exams, to meet friends, attend a meeting, or just hang out,” she says. With the new union, the center of campus now will provide facilities for the spiritual (Chapel of the Resurrection), academic (Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources), arts (VU Center for the Arts), and social (union) components of life at the university—all of which Neymark believes are essential for a true Valpo experience. “I became a more grounded and focused person because of my experiences at Valpo,” she says. “I left with a set of skills and knowledge and the strength to figure out how best to use them and find my place in the world.”

Razz Jenkins ’77 also made a gift to the union. “From Valpo, I take with me a profound sense of being a part of a shared community experience [that the union fosters], and a respect for my education and life lessons learned,” he says.

ENGINEERING

“I’ve come to appreciate my Valpo engineering education as a unique experience,” says Kenneth Sinko ’72. “I had a chance to study a field I was excited about in an intimate, small college environment, yet I was part of a larger university community outside my major. I made many lifelong friends, and met my wife (a history major) in the Moellering Library. Most engineering programs were offered at large state universities, or in small, private technical colleges. Valpo engineering provided a third option that combined the advantages and experiences of a university setting with the small classes, personal attention, and close relationships with professors. I want to make sure that a Valpo choice will be there for future generations of college students who would treasure that experience as I do.

“You can’t be a College of Engineering alum without being aware of the Venture of Faith construction project undertaken by students in the class of 1951, who built the original engineering building. I have always felt indebted to that class for their work in transforming Valpo’s engineering classes from a two-year transfer program to a full, four-year degree program. Their efforts made a Valpo engineering education possible for future students, including me. I had a chance to meet and thank some of those alums at their 50-year class reunion in 2001. But as a more meaningful thank you, I am dedicating my gift in honor of the class of 1951.”

“Thankful is the one-word reason I financially support the VU College of Engineering, and I encourage my fellow alumni to do the same,” says Ronald Millies ’60. “I am thankful for the foresight and courage of the Lutheran lay-people and clergy who sacrificed to acquire and worked to develop the Valparaiso University I experienced in the late 1950s. I am thankful for the quality of the education I received in achieving my BSEE degree. But, I am most thankful for the faith-based learning environment, supported by caring and encouraging professors, as well as the friendly cooperative spirit of my classmates, which has been a major positive influence in my life and career.

“The principles of faith, caring, support, encouragement and cooperation that were fostered at VU have been guiding factors in my life as a father, church leader, community activist and founder of a successful consulting engineering firm, established 1975. This is the reason I support VU and the College of Engineering.

“I am also thankful for the vision and the planning for the future that the current VU Board of Directors, President [Alan] Harre, Dean [Kraig] Olejniczak, and others are developing. Through their foresight, hopefully many more student engineers will be attracted to a quality education at VU, by its professors and facilities, so that they can experience and learn these important guiding principles for their life. These students will be the leaders of tomorrow.

“To all VU CoE alumni, it is truly ‘our time’ to financially support the expansion and renovation of Gellersen Center at ‘our Valpo’.”

ATHLETICS (FITT)

“We support Valpo Athletics because that has been the arena in which our son has devoted his greatest efforts outside the classroom and because Valpo Athletics has given him so much,” say Mike and Beth Connor. “As none of the players are on an athletic grant-in-aid, they are all there because they just love to play. We’re really excited to do our part to enhance their playing fields and athletic facilities. The coaches, administrators and staff bring all their professional and personal energies to bear, and the least we can do is help make the physical environment more conducive to excellence.”

ENDOWMENT

Patricia (Busse ’68, ’74 M.Ed.) Hinkey established a scholarship for Valpo student-athletes with her husband, John ’66. “Valpo is so dear to us both as graduates, and is still a big part of our lives, that we wanted to give back to our university. We know that our gift isn’t just a one-time thing…it will always be there. It will help not just one student, but many students in the future.

“From day one, Valpo was a place I felt I could belong. The Christian mission in a Lutheran tradition just made me feel right at home. And it’s still that way today.

“We felt that we were able – and enabled – to give back. You can’t just always be out there with a catcher’s mitt – you’ve got to get out there and put some pitches out, too.”

Marvin Rammelsberg ’52 created a student engagement fund for service learning programs such as Engineers Without Borders. “Seeing the projects the students could help with around campus, like moving the student bridge, made me realize I could help the undergraduate engineers get a firsthand experience carrying out programs around the world. They can help underprivileged people and communities everywhere.

“[Making this gift] made me feel like I was doing something that really benefits people. For me, it was a way to say thank you to God for what you’ve given me to help someone less fortunate than I am.”