1951
Maria-Gisela Von Hase ’51 Boehringer was interviewed for the upcoming “Ensnared in the Wolf’s Lair,” a National Geographic Kids history book detailing the failed Valkyrie plot to assassinate Adolph Hitler. Maria is the daughter of Lt. Gen. Paul Von Hase, who participated in the operation. In addition to being an alumna, Maria worked in the international studies department at Valparaiso University. Her husband, the late Rev. Hans Boehringer, was a member of the theology department and was director of the Institute of Liturgical Studies from 1962–1974. Their three children Elizabeth ’79, Catherine Boehringer ’82 Isaza, and Gregory ’83 are all alumni.
’51 Maria-Gisela Von Hase Boehringer was interviewed for the upcoming National Geographic Kids history book, “Ensnared in the Wolf’s Lair.”
1952
Bill Sittler ’52 turned 90 with style as his friends from Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Tellico Village, Tennessee, surprised him with a drive-by birthday party. Bill and Ruth ’51 sat in the driveway and watched as 28 cars participated in the parade passing by their house.
1965
Roger Brauer ’65 founded and is president of the Safety and Health Historical Society (SHHS). Founded in 2015, SHHS is a national educational and 501(c)(3) charitable organization devoted to collecting and publishing historical information related to occupational health, fire safety, and other specialties. Its quarterly journal, the Archives of Safety and Health, covers a wide range of events, people, practices, and advancements in the field.
Deaconess Carol Heinemann ’65 Halter continues her work as an LCMS missionary in Hong Kong. With the assistance of Pastor K. K. Fung and Wong Ga Sing, Carol is completing edits to her Chinese-language book “Practical Evangelism.” The trio met over Zoom for several weeks before lifted restrictions allowed them to meet for editing in person. Also assisting Carol with English-language editing is Miriam Carter, a missionary serving in the Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod.
1974
After 30 years working in fundraising for the University of Minnesota, Lynn Slifer ’74 retired in November 2020. She spent her last three years working for the UM Foundation, developing and training new development officers. In retirement, she plans to focus on creative and other writing, paper arts and scrapbooking, and seeing friends and traveling when the pandemic permits.
1976
Rev. Canon Robert Duerr ’76 was appointed canon precentor at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo, New York, in August 2019.
James “Jim” Torgerson ’76, ’79 J.D. retired as director of reinsurance recovery at Nationwide Insurance, Scottsdale, Arizona. Prior to working in reinsurance, Jim negotiated and managed enterprise and international IT contracts for Scottsdale Insurance Company; USAA in San Antonio, Texas; and American Express and Wells Fargo, both in Minneapolis and in the Phoenix areas. He is currently a member of Christ Church Lutheran in Phoenix, Arizona, where, after 50 hours of classroom and practical study, he was certified as a Stephen Minister. Jim and his wife own and operate two social media websites, simplibuzz.com and mychurchbuzz.com, and were pioneers in the field of combining social media tools for simultaneous posting and providing content and photo libraries for those who post using their sites. The United States Patent Office granted them a utility patent in association with their SimpliBuzz site in 2019. Another utility patent associated with simplibuzz. com is pending. Jim and his wife, Mary Ann, along with their son Jayden and daughter Cheryl, reside in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
1977
Geoff Fisher ’77 of Tolland, Connecticut, is grateful to God that his oldest son has been in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia for six years.
1981
Kimberly Ruse ’81 Davidson and her Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir were selected as a featured performing choir at the 2020 American Choral Directors Association Southern Region Conference in Mobile, Alabama. Kim is in her 33rd year directing the Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir, and this was their fourth convention performance.
David ’81 and Risë Sloup ’81 Lange are enjoying life in Champaign, Illinois, and their new role as grandparents. David completed his term as president of the American Concrete Institute, a 30,000-member organization that serves the concrete industry. His presidential duties included opening the first ACI international office in Dubai and traveling to 14 countries during 2019. David is a professor of civil engineering at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana.
1982
Cornell Boggs ’82, ’85 J.D. joined the Chicago office of law firm Quarles & Brady as counsel and senior strategic advisor in August 2020. Cornell, who serves on the Valparaiso University Board of Directors, will play an integral role in the firm’s diversity and inclusion and client relations efforts.
1983
Rev. Dan Borchers ’83 has recently become board certified by the Association of Professional Chaplains. He serves as chaplain at Holy Family Memorial Hospital in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
1992
Elizabeth Pagliarini ’92 was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 2020 Orange County (California) Business Journal’s CFO of the Year Awards. Elizabeth is chief operating officer and chief financial officer for Summit Healthcare REIT Inc.
In September 2020, Scott Kozlov ’92 J.D. resigned as director of unauthorized practice of law litigation for the Illinois Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission to accept a position as chief ethics officer to the Cook County, Illinois, Clerk, Karen Yarbrough.
1993
James W. Harkness ’93, ’96 J.D. was named partner at the Chicago and Lisle, Illinois, offices of Swanson, Martin & Bell LLP in Dec. 2019.
1994
Leah Hoppes ’94 was honored with the Leadership-Excellence-AchievementProfessionalism (L.E.A.P.) award by the St. Charles (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce. The award is presented to a chamber member who has been of remarkable assistance to other women. Leah was honored for her achievement as a leader in publishing and her volunteer hours spent with women in crisis at Christ Community Church.
Wendy Turner ’94, MSW, Ph.D., was named director of the bachelor of social work program at the University of Southern Indiana in August 2019. Wendy earned her master of social work (1995) and Ph.D. (1998) from Ohio State. She’s been at USI since 2003.
1996
Jason Winkler ’96 was named CFO of Motorola Solutions in June 2020. Jason most recently served as senior vice president, leading finance for the products and sales group, including the video security business and global finance teams. Jason also held a number of key financial leadership roles within the company, including finance lead for global sales and services, finance lead for North America, chief of staff to the chairman and CEO, and senior director of investor relations.
’96 Jason Winkler was named CFO of Motorola Solutions in June 2020.
1999
S. Glenn Jaffe ’99 was appointed to a second term as president of the North Carolina Chiropractic Association.
2001
Stefan ’01 Hoffmeister and his wife Natalie welcomed Madison Cassidy Hoffmeister on Oct. 13, 2019. Madison joins brother Clayton, age 2. Stefan and Natalie married on Oct. 4, 2014, and reside in San Francisco, California.
2002
Josh Messner ’02, who works in marketing and communications at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, helped to launch a video series designed for elementary school children called “All about Coronavirus.” The brief video teaches kids about the virus, providing basic ideas for how they can stay safe and help out during the pandemic. A companion family guide helps parents and guardians prepare to watch the video with their children and have a constructive conversation around the video’s content and the questions it might raise. Both the video and the family guide are available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, German, and French.
Jakob Rinderknecht ’02 Ph.D. authored the 2016 book on Lutheran-Catholic Ecumenism “Mapping the Differentiated Consensus of the Joint Declaration” (Palgrave-MacMillan), which was awarded the 2020 Harding Meyer Prize in Ecumenism from the Strasbourg Institute of Ecumenical Research.
2004
David Byers ’04 and Jelena Gober ’04 Byers welcomed their son Daniel on March 15, 2020.
Eric Perino ’04 and Emily Boedecker ’08 Perino welcomed son Jonah Brandon on Jan. 14, 2020.
2005
Michael Allen ’05, ’08 M.Ed. was named principal of the year by the Illinois Principals Association. He currently serves as principal at Oakton Elementary in Evanston, Illinois.
Lindsey O’Malley ’05 J.D. joined Howard & Howard law firm in February 2020.
John “Chaz” Weber ’05 was elected to the firm partnership of Tucker Ellis LLP in January 2020.
2006
Justin Hampton ’06, Operation Calculus program coordinator at Eisenhower High School in Blue Island, Illinois, was named a Top Influencer of 2019 by nowdecatur.com.
Jeremiah Posedel ’06 was elected partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in February 2020.
Therese Ure ’06 J.D. was elected to the U.S. Committee for Irrigation and Drainage (USCID) board of directors in spring 2020.
Jason Hallman ’06 and his wife Kristin Renn ’07 Hallman welcomed their fourth child, Mirabel Sueann, on July 13, 2020. She joins three older brothers Everett (2011), Owen (2013), and Callum (2018).
2007
Monica Bartsch ’07 Zore and her husband, Kurt, welcomed twins, Claire and Greta, to their family on June 11, 2019. They joined big sister Jane, born in 2016. Monica, who earned her MSN from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2015, works as a nurse practitioner at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
2008
Courtney Rahrig ’08 Holley was honored as 2019 Employee of the Year for HealthOne’s SkyRidge Medical Center in Lone Tree, Colorado. Courtney is the hospital nurse practitioner for the spine/orthopedic unit and has also worked in the ICU for five years.
2009
Valerie Kaufman ’09 CPA was promoted to the role of director of talent management and forecasting/senior manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP in August 2019.
2009
Jonathan ’09 and Julie Flowers ’09 Plant welcomed Jonathan Gerald Plant Jr. on Nov. 5, 2019. He joins sister Jenevieve Plant, age 4.
2010
Tiffany Forte ’10 Berauer M.D., and her husband, Peter, welcomed a daughter on Feb. 15, 2020.
Kelly Bylica ’10 joined the Boston University faculty as assistant professor of music education in summer 2020.
David Deters ’10 and his wife were married in 2019 and welcomed their son, Micah August, on March 25, 2020.
Kylie Johnson ’10, ’14 J.D. Connell and her husband, Christopher, welcomed their son Isaac Theodore on Feb. 19, 2020. He joins Alexander Thomas, age 2.
Lydia Heerwagen’s ’10 2019 family reunion featured 13 of the 37 family members who attended Valpo!
Katie Krieter ’10 Piet added a new baby to her family in June 2019.
Andrew ’10 and Brooke Davisson ’10 Robinson welcomed their son Patrick in October 2020.
Leigh Wiedelman ’10 Grizzard and her husband, Mark, welcomed a daughter, Natalie Mardelaine, on Oct. 20, 2020.
2011
Laura Rickey ’11 Bach and husband, Cody, were married June 15, 2019.
Mark Johanson ’11 accepted a new position as associate minister of music at Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, in June 2019. He is a co-leader or traditional and contemporary worship. That same month, Mark and his wife, Elizabeth Marquardt, welcomed their first child, Lydia.
Melissa Macchia ’11 J.D. was named partner at Taft Law in January 2020.
Ryan ’11 and Laura Ehlen ’12 Norris welcomed daughter Isla Joan on Sept. 16, 2019
2012
Mary Fazio ’12 completed her DNP at Chamberlain College of Nursing in April 2020.
2013
Alison Bergmann ’13 graduated with a master of engineering management degree from Duke University in 2018. Alison is in her ninth year at John Deere, where she works as a strategic supply management specialist. She currently volunteers as a national senator for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), where she helps develop the strategic plan for the 40,000-member organization. Alison is one of 15 recipients awarded the SWE New Emerging Leader in Technology and Engineering (ELiTE) Award for 2020.
Quinn Huebner ’13 Christensen was promoted to senior vice president, operations at The Peoples Community Bank in Spring Green, Wisconsin in January 2020. Quinn has worked for The Peoples Community Bank for 15 years, starting as a bank teller at the age of 15. In August 2020, he completed a graduate degree in banking at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. Quinn now resides in Mineral Point with his husband, Mike, and their cat, Liza. When he’s not at the bank, he is the director of music ministries and organist at Grace Lutheran Church in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. He also serves as treasurer on the board of directors for the Mineral Point Opera House.
Stephanie Sepiol ’13 married Jordan Milne in a private ceremony on Dec. 28, 2020.
2014
Nathaniel ’14 and Sarah Newlon ’14 Jones welcomed new addition Savannah, born in May 2020. She joins big sister, Marley, age 2.
Nick ’14 and Ana Eveler ’15 McIntyre welcomed baby Liam on Jan. 6, 2020. He joins big sister Chloe, born in 2018.
2015
Kyle ’15 and Julie Fisher ’15 Jordan were married Sept. 21, 2019.
2016
Alexander Fenn ’16 studied desert and marine landscapes through ecological and social field methods in Baja during the summer of 2019. Alexander, a whitewater raft guide at Adventure Bound, lives in Caratunk, Maine, and is a graduate student in Miami University’s global field program.
’16 Alexander Fenn studied desert and marine landscapes through ecological and social field methods in Baja.
Bryan O’Neal ’16 MBA was named vice president and dean of Moody Bible Institute. Bryan will oversee Moody’s undergraduate school, which includes the Chicago campus and Moody Aviation in Spokane, Washington. In addition to curriculum and recruitment strategy for faculty and academic programs, he’ll support departments such as the library, academic records, financial aid, and others who serve the student body.
2017
Nathaniel Forret ’17 and Nikolina (Nina) Milankovic ’17 were married June 1, 2019, in Indianapolis.
Frank Caputo ’17 married his wife, Maggie, on March 2, 2020. By his side was his first year roommate, Ethan Gasbarro ’17.
Haneefah Khaaliq ’17 J.D. was appointed in 2017 by Gary mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson to preside over the local civil rights agency. Additionally, Haneefah was one of 40 applicants selected for the Indiana Democratic Party’s Emerging Leaders Program. She plans to run for U.S. Senate in 2022.
2019
Brynn Horne ’19 Hadley and her husband welcomed a daughter, Brooklyn Mary, in January 2020.
ALUMNI IN FOCUS
Dexter, Michigan
JOSH MESSNER ’02 FINDS HIS CALLING AS A COMMUNICATOR
Josh Messner ’02 studied music and theology at Valparaiso University and continues to draw from the academic, professional, and personal growth he gained at Valpo and the many friendships he maintains to this day. He is a content strategist at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where he writes, edits, and manages health science communications and serves as editor of Findings Magazine, the School of Public Health’s alumni publication. In spring 2020, Josh and his team developed “All about Coronavirus: A Video for Kids and Their Families,” a multilingual project that helps families understand and explain the spread of COVID-19 and the precautions one can take to protect themselves and others against viral infection.
Tell us your Valpo story.
I first heard about Valpo from an aunt who graduated from the deaconess program in the 1960s. I looked at many of the Midwest’s small liberal arts schools and was drawn to Valpo: a University with multiple schools and colleges, a large variety of programs, and a stunning campus — all with that small liberal arts college feel. The invitation to join Christ College — The Honors College sealed the deal.
My student experience was an embarrassment of riches: singing in the Valparaiso University Chorale and touring the country, working as a student editor at The Cresset, playing intramural sports, supporting our Division I athletics teams, having a best friend and roommate from Valparaiso who helped me get to know the town itself, changing majors a few times and feeling totally supported by everyone involved, the whole Christ College experience (especially the Freshman Production), staying for a fifth year because I just couldn’t get enough, meeting my future wife in the Center for the Arts, and getting to worship in the Chapel of the Resurrection and connect daily worship experiences with my intellectual growth as a student.
How did Valpo help to prepare you for being a public health communicator during a global pandemic?
The Valpo community not only nourished my intellectual growth, but it also helped me develop greater emotional and social intelligence. I’ve always been an empathetic person, but during my time at Valpo, I learned how to channel my natural curiosity about the world and care for people into engaging communications.
As I’ve developed professionally, this has made me a good translator of science. When I prepare to interview a public health researcher, I am genuinely curious about why they practice public health, how they do their work, and what their research means for everyone’s health. This helps me ask better questions and facilitate more incisive discussions. Science matters and truth matters.
My interest in research and the people who do it helps me identify the core stories in public health—such as the amazing history of vaccine development—and helps me share those stories in compelling ways that the general public can appreciate and value. Valpo’s emphasis on meticulous truth-seeking and courageous truthtelling really empowered me to succeed as a health sciences communicator. In a way, the pandemic has heightened the urgent need for lucid, effective health communications. But we have always needed good translation between the technical world of health research and the pragmatic world of human health. When overwhelming evidence of the importance of things like masks and social distancing meets the complex realities of human emotions and public policy, science communicators need to be clear, accurate, and persuasive in ways that are challenging but extremely important.
Bill Sittler ’52 turned 90 with style as his friends from Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, Tellico Village, Tennessee, surprised him with a drive-by birthday party. Bill and Ruth ’51 sat in the driveway and watched as 28 cars participated in the parade passing by their house.
Nathaniel Forret ’17 and Nikolina (Nina) Milankovic ’17 were married June 1, 2019, in Indianapolis.
Frank Caputo ’17 married his wife, Maggie, on March 2, 2020. By his side was his first-year roommate, Ethan Gasbarro ’17.
Laura Rickey ’11 Bach and husband, Cody, were married June 15, 2019.
Lydia Heerwagen’s ’10 2019 family reunion featured 13 of the 37 family members who attended Valpo! Front row L to R: Linda Heerwagen ’63 Fischer, Elizabeth Coyle ’05 Burnside, Mary Boeger ’02 Lofgren, Lydia Heerwagen ’10, Karen Heerwagen ’68, Lola Kruse ’65 Coyle. Back row L to R: Tod Kruse, Beth Kruse ’69, Milt Boeger ’66, John Lofgren ’02, Kurt Heerwagen ’61, Michael Coyle ’94, Bob Coyle ’66.
Kylie Johnson ’10, ’14 J.D. Connell and her husband, Christopher, welcomed their son Isaac Theodore on Feb. 19, 2020. He joins Alexander Thomas, age 2.
Deaconess Carol Heinemann ’65 Halter continues her work as an LCMS missionary in Hong Kong. With the assistance of Pastor K. K. Fung and Wong Ga Sing, Carol is completing edits to her Chinese-language book “Practical Evangelism.” The trio met over Zoom for several weeks before lifted restrictions allowed them to meet for editing in person. Also assisting Carol with English-language editing is Miriam Carter, a missionary serving in the Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod.
Kyle ’15 and Julie Fisher ’15 Jordan were married Sept. 21, 2019.
Nathaniel ’14 and Sarah Newlon ’14 Jones welcomed new addition Savannah, born in May 2020. She joins big sister, Marley, age 2.
Jonathan ’09 and Julie Flowers ’09 Plant welcomed Jonathan Gerald Plant Jr. on Nov. 5, 2019. He joins sister Jenevieve Plant, age 4.
John “Chaz” Weber ’05 was elected to the firm partnership of Tucker Ellis LLP in January 2020.
David Deters ’10 and his wife were married in 2019 and welcomed their son, Micah August, on March 25, 2020.
Valerie Kaufman ’09 CPA was promoted to the role of director of talent management and forecasting/senior manager at Chiampou Travis Besaw & Kershner LLP in August 2019.
Monica Bartsch ’07 Zore and her husband, Kurt, welcomed twins, Claire and Greta, to their family on June 11, 2019. They joined big sister Jane, born in 2016. Monica, who earned her MSN from Concordia University Wisconsin in 2015, works as a nurse practitioner at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
Mark Johanson ’11 accepted a new position as associate minister of music at Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, in June 2019. He is a co-leader for traditional and contemporary worship. That same month, Mark and his wife, Elizabeth Marquardt, welcomed their first child, Lydia.
Bryan O’Neal ’16 MBA was named vice president and dean of Moody Bible Institute. Bryan will oversee Moody’s undergraduate school, which includes the Chicago campus and Moody Aviation in Spokane, Washington. In addition to curriculum and recruitment strategy for faculty and academic programs, he’ll support departments such as the library, academic records, financial aid, and others who serve the student body.
SPOTLIGHT
Monica Albers ’15 (left)
Zachary “Zach” Alexander ’15 (right)
VALPO CLASSMATES’ BOND AIDS INDIANAPOLIS NONPROFITS
When COVID-19 shut down, postponed, and canceled large gatherings, Zachary “Zach” Alexander ’15 found himself desperate for a creative solution. As director of development and marketing for Dove Recovery House, Zach helps fundraise for the organization, whose annual luncheon covers more than 20% of their yearly operating costs.
“At Dove Recovery House, we allow women to come live with us and to become healthy and sober through our recovery programming completely free of charge,” Zach says. Dove House is the largest substance abuse recovery residence for women in Marion County, Indiana.
Knowing that the Indianapolis community would step up if he could only get the word out, he turned to his best friend, Monica Albers ’15.
“In my work for FOX59’s coverage on the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re always looking for new ways in which this situation is impacting our communities. When Zach reached out to me on the challenges Dove House was facing, it helped us launch a larger story about the struggles so many nonprofits are finding themselves in right now.”
Zach and Monica’s friendship began at FOCUS 2011. “I think we really bonded when we were in “Allodola,” our Christ College Freshman Production,” Zach says. They stayed close by participating in various campus organizations together, a campus bond that took them through commencement and beyond. “We literally exited together; with our last names being Albers and Alexander, we were side-by-side.”
Post-graduation plans took Monica to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Zach to Indianapolis, but the pair stayed close as they found their callings. So when a move to FOX59 brought Monica to Indy, Zach, who found his organization and community in critical need of assistance, knew exactly who to call.
Just as she always had before, Monica answered.
“Sharing stories that otherwise might not be told is an important contribution to our communities,” she says. “Doing so can help keep viewers informed about their neighborhoods, create change and help people feel more connected.”
FOX59 helped Zach get the word out on the Fund a Dove campaign, a digital fundraiser to replace the postponed luncheon that allows the organization to continue serving their residents.
“I get to work for 40 strong, amazing women each day who are on their path to recovery,” Zach says. “I feel the direct impact of my job each day and get to see some of the most vulnerable women in the Indianapolis community absolutely flourish.”
For Monica, the ability to make a difference for those so in need proves even sweeter with her best friend by her side. “It’s been a joy to spend more time together in the same city, encouraging each other through new challenges.”