Engagement and Enrichment: How Universities Contribute to the Region’s Quality of Life

A key contributor to the success of a city is its perceived quality of life. Places that set a high premium on improving quality of life become vibrant, attractive places to live, work, and relocate or invest. In Northwest Indiana, the relationships between universities and their communities help to build a diverse, prosperous, and sustainable region. The city of Valparaiso and Valparaiso University are inextricably linked and inter-dependent — from the collaborative work between city and University, to the dollars and cents of economic impact, to servant leadership, together we work to foster a relationship that has endured for nearly 160 years and will continue to do so for generations to come. This connection is one that serves to improve the quality of life in Northwest Indiana overall, as the symbiotic relationship between university and city contributes to a shared vision for the Region. The University’s contribution to both civic engagement and building the area’s cultural and community identity are key components of that partnership.

Civic Engagement

Civic engagement is crucial to the success of the shared vision between the city of Valparaiso and Valparaiso University. Valparaiso University is more than just the city of Valparaiso’s largest employer, with more than 1,000 faculty and staff members who contribute to the local economy by shopping downtown, dining in our local restaurants, visiting local attractions, and paying state and local taxes. Valpo faculty and staff are also civic leaders who make connections and act as great facilitators between the “town and gown,” bringing people together and leveraging the expertise we have on campus. For many, community leadership — school boards, city government, civic organizations, places of worship — represent that place where passion meets purpose. For example, the dean of our College of Business, Jim Brodzinski, serves on the board of directors for Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation. John Bowker, a member of our IT department and the voice of Valpo Men’s Basketball, serves as a member of the City Council. Heath Carter, a professor in our history department, chairs the city’s human relations council.

The servant leadership of our faculty and staff serves as a model for our students, who begin to see what a life of civic service looks like — and Valpo students take note. They serve our local businesses as interns and in our schools as student teachers and tutors. Our students partner with United Way of Porter County for the annual Day of Caring. Adjacent to campus, the St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center, hosts Café Manna, a weekly soup kitchen outreach ministry. Valpo students can often be found stocking cans and boxes in the kitchen or serving meals to community residents. Each year, Valpo students dedicate nearly 250,000 hours to community outreach and service-learning. Valpo alumni often return to the Valparaiso community, not just for events like Homecoming Weekend, but many alumni reside in the area and have even returned to work for their alma mater.

Community Identity and Enrichment

Valparaiso University is also a key contributor to opportunities for enrichment for members of the wider Valparaiso community. Each year, the Valparaiso University Center for the Arts offers more than 100 performances and exhibits each year. Our nationally renowned Chapel of the Resurrection holds concerts, worship services, and annual events like our Advent-Christmas Vespers, a favorite among Northwest Indiana community members. Valpo’s annual Jazz Fest and other music and arts celebrations unite campus and community through student, faculty, community, and high-end performances.

Our Division I Athletics program also has much to offer, as we host more than 100 home games each year across all sports — which is even more exciting this year as we have officially joined the Missouri Valley Conference, one of the NCAA’s most well respected mid-major conferences.

Valparaiso University also offers intellectual resources for the greater Valparaiso area, as the Christopher Center for Library and Information Resources stores 600,000 volumes and offers 180 public computers. This summer, Valpo’s campus hosted Lakeshore Public Media’s PBS Kids Star Party, celebrating National Summer Learning Day. And finally, throughout each year, Valpo hosts myriad speakers and leaders in their fields who provide lectures on a range of topics. These and other enrichment opportunities are always open to residents from the area.

From our students, faculty, and staff engaging in the community through membership on committees and local service and volunteer projects to the enrichment opportunities the University brings, since Valparaiso University’s founding in 1859, Northwest Indiana has benefited greatly from the strong relationship between “town and gown.” This cross-collaboration and mutual partnership is one that will only grow stronger as our communities continue to flourish.