From her hometown of Lake Station, Indiana, to the halls of Valparaiso University, to the bustling streets of Washington D.C., Kayla Smith’s ’24 journey is one of discovery, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her dreams. “I’ve always wanted to help people who are in need, so I thought criminal justice would be the perfect route. […]
How many of you watched a football game from the bleachers this season – or cheered on our Beacons from the student section at a basketball game? If you have, you probably recognize Noah Godsell ’24, who made it his personal mission to go to as many Valpo sporting events as possible since his freshman […]
Embodying the spirit of innovation and determination, Charles Smith ’25 and Fayol Ateufack Zeudom ’26 are prime examples of what makes Valpo’s College of Engineering stand out. Through participation in this year’s Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE), their paths converged in a remarkable way, leading to significant achievements in their fields of […]
If you were to ask Jazzy Soria-Gonzalez ’28 to sum up her first year at Valparaiso University in one word, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear her respond with “eventful.” As a freestyle swimmer for the Valpo women’s swim team and a double major in Spanish and marketing, having an eventful first year of college […]
Of all the shared qualities and experiences that unite the Class of 2024, Commencement student-speaker and Portage, Indiana, native Jaylen Jude ’24 places the strongest emphasis on resilience. Our latest graduating class first stepped into their college experience back in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic was in full swing. What they anticipated to be the […]
From Maple Grove, Minnesota, Lauren Kadlec ’24 has a Valpo story marked by challenges, triumphs, and unwavering determination. Full of passion burning brightly within her and radiating outward, Lauren’s enthusiasm for her field is palpable. “I love engineering. It’s what I’m passionate about,” she shares, her eyes alight with fervor. “I was in robotics for […]
With both parents working as music educators, it would seem Matthew Yee’s ’24 musical journey was orchestrated from conception. “I like to say music has been part of my life from day one. It was just part of being at home. And so, playing an instrument or singing was never really a question. It wasn’t […]
Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) – we’re all plugged into this digital age some way, somehow. Whether we click and swipe for connectivity, inspiration, a quick laugh, or a routine doomscroll, the appeals of social media and the internet don’t exist without the possibility of detrimental effects. It’s a truth that social work […]
As Black History Month nears its end, we sit down with the Black Student Organization (BSO) and reflect on some of the highlights of the month, as well as what Black History Month can teach us as a community not only in February, but the entire year. “People are more important than just a couple […]
Meshach Melton ’24, a Valparaiso University political science and economics double-major with a minor in psychology from Crown Point, Indiana has been named the winner of the American Economic Association’s Andrew Brimmer Undergraduate Essay prize for his paper “The Importance of Arts Education,” which highlights the importance and benefits of arts education in American schools […]