When Chip Pettit ’96 chose to attend and play baseball for Valparaiso University, he wasn’t sure yet where his academic pursuits would take him. “I was ‘undecided’ on a major well into the fall semester of my sophomore year.” Pettit says, “I remember my advisor telling me that I had to pick a major, and I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. I had been working with kids during summer camps, my mother was a kindergarten teacher, and my dad spent a lot of time volunteering with youth sports teams. I enjoyed working with kids, and it just seemed like a natural fit.”
Pettit ultimately decided to pursue a career in education, majoring in history and secondary education, while playing baseball for all four years he attended the University. He was also a member of Theta Chi fraternity during his senior year.
Among Pettit’s favorite memories of his time at Valpo are attending Spring Sing at the Chapel, playing wiffleball games outside of Wehrenberg Hall, and enjoying some weekend fun at the Theta Chi house. Pettit’s most cherished memory, though, is meeting his wife, Karin Butler ’96, during his freshman year. The couple just celebrated 26 years of marriage in December. He says, “Karin and I moved to Crown Point after graduating from Valpo. She works as a nurse manager for the Veterans Administration. We have two children, Will, who is a junior at DePauw, and Avery, who is a sophomore at IU-Bloomington.”
Chip began his career as a teacher and coach, before eventually becoming a principal and now superintendent at Duneland School Corporation. He says, “I enjoy supporting kids, both directly with teaching and coaching and indirectly as a principal and superintendent. I am fortunate to have worked for three school corporations, Crown Point, Union Township, and Duneland, and communities that show tremendous support for their children and schools.”
Pettit credits his Valpo experience for shaping the educator and person he is today. “I was fortunate to have many great mentors at Valpo. John Ruff, an English professor; Stacey Adams, a resident director and assistant football coach; and current athletic director at Valparaiso High School, Paul Twenge (baseball coach). The opportunity to grow and mature, which often comes with making mistakes, was afforded to my classmates and me. I try to live by this philosophy in working with students in my work today. I am very thankful for my time at Valpo. I had a great experience from an academic, social, and athletic standpoint.”
Pettit says he lives by the quote, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” He offers this advice to anyone pursuing their own career in education: “Always put kids first, work hard, and be a great teammate.”
