Hoemann '16 Represents Senior Class

Valparaiso University revived an old commencement custom in May 2016 by having a representative from the graduating class deliver an address before classmates and thousands of parents and other well-wishers gathered at the Athletics-Recreation Center.

Student Commencement speaker Benjamin L. Hoemann ’16 graduated with a Bachelor of Science summa cum laude with a major in biochemistry and the honors designation Christ College Scholar.

Ben has a strong sense of the social responsibility of health care and medical practice. Funded by a Schweitzer Scholarship from the CC Dean’s Annual Fund he spent spring break 2015 on an international service learning trip to Central America. This experience alongside medical professionals serving the medically disadvantaged helped confirm Ben’s commitment to medicine as a career.

Ben’s undergraduate research activity included the highly competitive Harvard-Amgen Scholars Program where he conducted neuroscience research. He wrote his Christ College thesis, Allostatic Load and its Psychological Impact on Poverty, Disadvantage, and Humanitarian Crises, with John Nunes, Emil and Elfriede Jochum Chair holder and former
president and CEO of Bread for the World.

On campus Ben worked as an ambassador in the University’s Office of Admission. He performed with Valparaiso University’s premier vocal ensemble, Chorale. He was president of Sigma Chi fraternity and he was named an Outstanding Service and Leadership Award winner for the breadth and depth of his leadership responsibilities and service activities.

Ben is from Washington, Missouri. He is attending medical school at Columbia University in New York this fall.