Over the past several months IT has added two new people to the family. John Bowker has joined the Management Information Systems team as the Coordinator of MIS, and Shannon Putchaven joins the Web Services group as Senior Web Designer.

Shannon Putchaven joined us after leaving Purdue Calumet where she was a Graphic Designer. She also served as the Design Coordinator for two years at the Illinois Institute of Art -Chicago. She lives in nearby Chesterton with her husband Kevin and their three-year old daughter, Lilly. In addition to being a “big Cubs fan,” Shannon also plays volleyball, softball, and has recently taken up snowboarding.

John Bowker (VU ’78) made the move from OIA where he served as the Director of Information and Records Systems for the past fifteen years. John and his wife Joanne (VU ’80) (Office of Admission) live in Valparaiso. The couple has two daughters, Joy (VU ’06) and Jane who is currently a sophomore at Capital University in Ohio.

The transition to MIS has been very smooth because John has been working with Datatel at VU since the conversion process began in 1997. John is also serving on the Valparaiso City Council representing the 5th district (Northeast side of Valpo) and the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission.

When John isn’t helping to run Datatel or the City of Valparaiso, Indiana he might be found behind the microphone as the public address voice for the VU Men’s basketball or football games. He even announced two basketball games in the United Center and one football game at Soldier Field, both in Chicago.

Please join the Office of Information Technology in welcoming Shannon and John.