High School Senior Viewbook | Valparaiso University

ValparaisoEducationUniversity

Our faculty are some of the very best in their fields, and they’re here because they want to work with YOU. They’re invested in working with undergraduate students and training the next generation of leaders and scholars who will make a difference.

Expect the learning to extend far beyond campus, with experiential programs that empower you to make real change, like internships at nasa , undergraduate research projects on campus, or even service projects that bring health care and clean water to communities around the world.

Learning and doing go hand in hand. You’ll gain hands-on experience alongside

your classmates to apply theories and concepts to real-world situations. Visit the Indiana Dunes National Park and explore a fascinating mix of ecological habitats. Research new methods to harness the sun’s energy and produce lightweight metals more efficiently. Perform around the world with the Chorale, one of the top Lutheran collegiate choirs in the United States.

College is your opportunity to expand your comfort zone. That’s why we give you so many opportunities to explore. Imagine a schedule filled not only with studies, but with culture that inspires you, athletics that motivate you, and experiences that move you far beyond where you ever thought you could go.

At Valpo, we’re all about helping you discover what you’re most passionate about and how you can turn your interests, skills, and dreams into a rewarding career and life.

You can do it all at Valpo.

100+ STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

40 STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

NCAA

Division I

ATHLETICS

17 NATIONAL SORORITY AND FRATERNITY CHAPTERS

20 MUSIC AND THEATRE PERFORMANCES EACH YEAR

A SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Smiling at strangers in the elevator? Yeah, we do that. Stopping to shoot the breeze or compare notes with acquaintances from class? You know that’s us. And when we ask what you’re working on? We really want to know the answer.

Go ahead and ask questions, we’re used to it. Valpo is an independent Lutheran university, following in the tradition of 16th century German friar Martin Luther, who asked very difficult questions and sparked a reformation.

What does this mean? You have the freedom to search for truth, develop critical reasoning, explore your faith, and discover your purpose among people of many backgrounds and beliefs.

In fact, the idea of your vocation is a Lutheran understanding. You’ll be encouraged to discover how your deepest passions and abilities will serve the genuine needs of the

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world. Whether you’re called to serve, lead, teach, create, or research, helping you pursue your passions is kind of our thing.

The Lutheran faith is an integral part of life at Valpo that calls us to be a diverse community that welcomes all. Additionally, the diversity of backgrounds, beliefs, faiths, and passions here will inform and inspire your journey. Deepen your faith and find meaning in the process. What you leave with will help you serve the world after graduation.

Lead a student club, or create one. Explore ideas in the classroom, over lunch, or late at night. Valpo is a residential campus, which means your classmates don’t clock in and out like a 9-to-5 job. They live nearby, are engaged in countless on-campus activities, and build you up to tackle this whole exciting ride. And the friendships you make here? They’ll last a lifetime.

Since the University first opened its doors in 1859, there’s been a special sense of familiarity here. It’s that feeling of belonging, no matter who you are — no matter what you want to become.

a community that wants you to be your best you.

Recognition

Valpo is nationally recognized for the quality of its academic programs. Yet it’s not just about Valpo being recognized for its standout academics. It’s also about Valpo students being recognized for their achievements. The University’s faculty members thrive on connecting you with opportunities. You’ll see what we mean the first time a Valpo professor sees something in you that you didn’t know was there. They’ll empower you to “run with it” — because they know you can.

Connect with mentors who will develop your mind and ignite your curiosity. Our students learn from top-tier faculty who are not only experts in their field and have earned their terminal degrees, but who teach at Valpo because they want to work with undergraduate students. Simply put, Valpo professors love to teach. They have an insatiable curiosity and a passion for learning. They see the value in collaborating with and helping to mold the next generation to make huge impacts on the world.

You can get an education anywhere, but living and learning at Valpo means being totally immersed in an enthralling and transformative experience where the exploration of truth is part of the curriculum. Because when you learn from someone who is invested in your future, what you learn means so much more. It means your understanding of your chosen field will be powerful, relevant, and personal. It means that you will be ready to take on more opportunities to become a confident participant in the world. It means you will have countless opportunities to go deeper into the areas that drive you, and the more you put in, the more you’ll be fired up and ready for what’s next.

Develop your skills for professional success and a life of purpose. Discover new ideas in a collaborative, supportive environment. Study the challenging topics, ask the difficult questions, and learn not just what but why and how.

10% Higher

GRADUATION RATE THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE

97% OF RECENT GRADUATE WERE EMPLOYED OR ENROLLED IN GRADUATE SCHOOL WITHIN NINE MONTHS OF GRADUATION

PREPARE FOR SUCCESS

At Valpo, you’ll gain the knowledge and develop the skills most employers say they want. Learn to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve problems creatively. Your classmates will be driven, hardworking, and involved. You’ll find the challenging courses, dedicated professors, and leadership opportunities to prepare you for success. Here, it’s safe to try new things and to sometimes stumble, knowing your professors and classmates will be there to support and encourage you.

Prepare for life after graduation and develop the confidence to know you will succeed. As early as your freshman year, your academic advisors and the Center for Career and Professional Development will help you explore career paths. And as you grow, you’ll have access to resources on and off campus for internships and life after graduation (fellowships, career, graduate school, just to name a few).

Valpo’s curriculum combines a liberal arts background with degrees in time-honored professions like health care and nursing, business, and engineering — backed by a graduate placement rate above 90% for nearly 30 consecutive years.

You’ll have the freedom to explore a variety of classes, and if you change your mind along the way, you can rest easy knowing Valpo offers more than 70 undergraduate degree programs and interdisciplinary options throughout our undergraduate colleges.

Haven’t decided on a major? Discover your options and strengths with an exploratory program intentionally designed for that figuring-it-all-out stage.

No matter which path you pursue, Valpo will prepare you for success. The ultimate goal? Launch your career. That takes a good amount of determination. It takes a moment when you close your eyes and say, “Let’s do this.”

Spoiler alert: you will.

VALPO GRADUATES ACHIEVE POSITIONS WITH TOP COMPANIES AROUND THE WORLD.

Arts and Sciences

Graduate as a critical thinker, expert communicator, and ethical leader who is ready to overcome any future challenges.

Valpo’s College of Arts and Sciences prepares you to solve the world’s problems through an engaging and collaborative curriculum. At Valpo, you can major in environmental science and read literature about climate change or learn about the justice system and take part in the legislative process. In the College of Arts and Sciences at Valpo, your passion is limitless.

No matter which degree you pursue, you’ll be challenged to broaden your understanding and tackle problems with creative solutions.

Phi Beta Kappa INSTITUTION =

Top 8% NATIONWIDE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES

97.3% GRADUATE PLACEMENT RATE

Mentoring Valpo students is a very enjoyable and rewarding aspect of my job. They have added the elements of youthful energy and perspective in their strong desire to learn and make a difference.

— Julie Peller, Ph.D. Professor of Chemistry Vice President, Hoosier Environmental Council Recipient of a National Science Foundation Collaborative Research Grant to study micro- and nanoplastics in water alongside undergraduate student researchers

At Valpo’s College of Business, we approach business differently. It’s about leveraging business know-how and creativity to make a difference and having a purpose greater than yourself — to do well by doing good.

You’ll become a visionary, values-based leader who understands the importance of going beyond maximizing profit and shareholder value. Valpo’s professors and students recognize the importance of socially, environmentally, and financially sustainable business practices. By the time you graduate, you will have a cutting-edge skillset to navigate today’s globalized business environment and fearlessly promote practices that are ethical and effective.

=Top 5% OF BUSINESS SCHOOLS WORLDWIDE

Valpo students represent the best of a generation seeking to change the world in challenging times. They show concern and compassion in equal measure and never forget that connection over difference is the engine of hope.

— Anton M. Lewis, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Accounting Chair, College of Business DEI Leadership Group Host, “Counting Black and White Beans” Podcast

95.3% GRADUATE PLACEMENT RATE

Engineering

Study more than schematics, machinery, and computers. Dream a possibility for the future and make it a reality.

Valpo’s College of Engineering provides state-of-the-art engineering education in a liberal arts setting. Study, research, and experiment in award-winning facilities like the Donald V. Fites Engineering Innovation Center and the James S. Markiewicz Solar Energy Research Facility, which houses the only solar furnace at an undergraduate institution in the United States.

At Valpo, you’ll have opportunities for undergraduate research, international study, and hands-on service projects beginning your freshman year. Graduate ready to lead and serve worldwide with technical expertise and a better understanding of how the world works.

I love engineering because we take the knowledge of math and science and we use it to make the world a better place. We improve people’s lives by the work that we do, whether it’s by building a huge building, like civil engineers do, or building a tiny cell phone like an electrical or computer engineer would do. When I see one of our students walk across the stage at graduation, knowing that they have an engineering degree and are thoroughly prepared to be an engineer because of the work that we did to help them here, that’s the best part of my job.

— Doug Tougaw ’05 MBA, Ph.D., P.E.

Dean and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering President, American Society for Engineering Education

GRADUATE PLACEMENT RATE

Nursing and Health Professions

The direct-admisson programs in the College of Nursing and Health Professions prepare professionals who will use their roles to transform today’s health and health care systems in collaborative teams—whether you pursue a path as a nurse, physician assistant, public health expert, health care leader, nurse educator, researcher, advance nurse provider, health educator, or occupational therapist.

An education from Valpo’s college for health care professionals ensures that you can count on thinking critically, performing exemplarily, leading unswervingly, and serving unselfishly as you work with others to change the world.

Through your Valpo preparation, you will immediately distinguish yourself as second-to-none in all arenas of health and health care.

Top 22% OF NURSING SCHOOLS IN THE NATION ACCORDING TO U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

95.8% GRADUATE PLACEMENT RATE

It is a joy to continuously connect with Valpo students and have the opportunity to make a difference in helping students learn and develop into professional nurses. At Valpo, we have a core commitment to provide students with a variety of experiences and opportunities to work closely with faculty outside the classroom that I don’t see at other universities. Having the ability to support students’ scholarly achievements outside the classroom is such a blessing and challenges me as an educator.

— Theresa Kessler, Ph.D., RN, ACSN-BC, CNE, FAAN

Professor and Kreft Endowed Chair for the Advancement of Nursing Science Fellow, American Academy of Nursing

Christ College

Christ College — The Honors College at Valparaiso University is a holistic learning community that thrives on academic excellence, passionate leadership, and mindful engagement.

Joining Christ College is an opportunity to join a community of like-minded scholars who are dynamic students from all majors at the University. If you want to push yourself to learn more, dig deeper, and engage fully with passionate classmates and mentors, then you belong at Christ College. The dedicated professors in Christ College lead interdisciplinary honors classes and specialize in mentoring high achieving students.

3rd OLDEST HONORS COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES

98.2% GRADUATE PLACEMENT RATE

Challenge yourself to be your best in a supportive community.

I love teaching our undergraduate students because, in addition to their academic commitment, what they also bring into conversations is their openness and curiosity, their genuine desire to understand complex problems, and their eagerness to leave the world better than they found it. When I teach my courses, I see our students not only as future experts in their fields; I see them as thinkers and therefore as future leaders and citizens who can positively change this country and the world.

— Slavica Jakelić, Ph.D.

Richard P. Baepler Distinguished Professor in the Humanities Senior Fellow, “Religion & Its Publics” project at the University of Virginia Senior Fellow, “Orthodoxy and Human Rights” international project at Fordham University

FIND YOUR PLACE AT VALPO

Our students are smart, funny, a little bit quirky, and down-to-earth. They’re the kind of people who become friends for life. And they go on to do some pretty amazing things. You could be our next Fulbright scholar, nasa intern, or Peace Corps volunteer. And, you’ll be connected instantly to our global network of nearly 60,000 alumni.

Valpo graduates are prepared for lives of leadership and service, shaped by a sense of calling, equipped for thoughtful reflection, and responsive to some of the world’s most challenging and pressing needs. They’re

known throughout the world for being wellrounded. That’s what employers want, and more importantly, that’s what the world needs.

The bond that unites students and alumni through shared experiences, strength and character, and a desire to lead and serve opens doors of opportunity for your first job or your fifth.

At Valpo, you’ll have the opportunities of a large university, and you’ll be able to lead, serve, and impact life on campus and in the community.

It’s all here waiting for you.

You’ll find all the opportunities of a large university at Valpo, but we’re also small enough for you to take on leadership roles and have an impact on campus. People with common interests find each other here, through participation in intramurals, leadership in a sorority or fraternity, involvement with our faith community, or service in communities at home or around the world.

Valpo

Established in 1859

57% female students; 43% male students

Students hail from 41 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico

Study in a global environment with students from 36 countries

Our sprawling campus spans 300+ acres

12:1 student-to-faculty ratio

20 average class size

2,355 undergraduate students

609 graduate students

90% of faculty hold terminal degree

100% of classes taught by faculty

$110 million in financial assistance

awarded annually

98% of students receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, awards, grants, or work study

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Visit Campus

The best way to know if Valpo is the right place for you is to visit. Explore our 300-acre campus. Meet a professor in your chosen field. Cheer on Valpo at a game or check out an arts performance. Walk through a residence hall. Schedule your visit online at valpo.edu/visit.

Explore Valparaiso

Stroll downtown Valparaiso and enjoy more than 30 restaurants, cafés, and ice cream shops just a short walk from campus. Find a friend with a car and check out the 49’er Drive-In Theatre, providing entertainment since 1956. Take a hike at the Gabis Arboretum, home to one of the most diverse oak collections in the nation. Or stop by Zao Island, featuring mini golf, laser tag, go-karts, bumper cars, batting cages, a game room — and a giant dragon. Seriously.

Apply Now

Take your first step toward becoming a Beacon and apply online at valpo.edu/apply.

File the FAFSA

Include our school code (001842) on your FAFSA and receive the best financial aid award available to you.

Choosing a college is a big deal. You don't have to take this major step alone. At Valpo, there's always someone willing to lend a hand, a shoulder, or an ear so you can feel confident in your ability to pursue your passions.

Valparaiso University provides equality of opportunity to its applicants for admission, enrolled students, graduates, and employees. The University does not discriminate with respect to hiring, continuation of employment, promotion and tenure, other employment practices, applications for admission, or career services and placement on the basis of race, color, gender, age, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, or (as qualified herein) religion. An institution committed to its Lutheran tradition, the University reserves its right to promote the teaching of the church and to exercise preferences in admissions and employment-related practices in favor of Lutherans.

Valparaiso University is a tobacco-free environment.