2025 VUAA Alumni Award Recipients
AWARDS BANQUET
HOMECOMING AND FAMILY WEEKEND
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2025
Distinguished Alumna Award
Catherine
Bonker
’57 Jenny M.S.
The highest distinction the alumni association can bestow, this award honors alumni who have enhanced the prestige of the University by virtue of their character, integrity, and nationally recognized personal accomplishments.
A 1957 graduate with a degree in history, Catherine Bonker ’57 Jenny M.S., has become what College of Engineering Dean Doug Tougaw ’05 MBA, Ph.D., PE, calls “a lifelong ambassador for Valpo, modeling the intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, and leadership that we hope to inspire in all our students.”
Cathy and her late husband, Fred, created an extraordinary Valpo family tradition. All four of their children graduated from Valparaiso University, along with two children’s spouses, six grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews – over 20 family members in total. The Jenny family has touched nearly every corner of campus: engineering, history, Christ College – The Honors College, the Valparaiso University Chorale, Chapel life, tennis, and football. As Christ College Dean Jennifer Prough ’91, Ph.D., notes, “You can’t spend very much time with a member of the Jenny family without feeling the admiration for and influence of ‘Gram.’”
Cathy’s professional journey blazed trails and healed wounds. At New Paltz High School in New York, she taught history and coached girls’ softball in the mid-1970s – before Title IX mandated such opportunities. But her greatest impact came in Washington, D.C., where she built addiction recovery programs from the ground up at Luther Place and N-Street Ministries. The Tubman Pre-treatment and Sara House facilities she created served over 200 homeless women, filling a critical gap in care. Dean Prough observes that “through her work at Luther Place, advancing the services they could provide to families, we see her faith at work using her talents to serve others where it is most needed.”
In March 2024, Cathy re-established the Frederick F. Jenny Professorship, a $560,000 endowment supporting cutting-edge engineering research and student scholarship. Dean Tougaw emphasizes that this gift funds “critical research initiatives in advanced
nanoelectronics, renewable energy technologies, synchronous reluctance machines for electric vehicles, and solar thermal electrolysis projects,” positioning Valpo engineering at the forefront of innovation while connecting research directly with education.
Cathy cherishes Valpo as a place where students can “question and wrestle with important ideas and decisions in a Christian and accepting environment.” Her prayers, generosity, and ongoing support of the Valpo Fund and Christ College demonstrate what Dean Prough calls her commitment to “excellence in scholarship, in educational experiences, and in the connection between faith and learning.”
Dean Tougaw concludes: “It is rare to encounter an individual whose life, work, and generosity are so thoroughly aligned with the mission and values of Valparaiso University. Cathy Jenny has lived a life of profound purpose, and through her enduring connection to Valpo, she continues to shape the future of our University in remarkable ways.” Catherine Jenny – educator, pioneer, servant leader, and beloved “Gram” – embodies Valparaiso University’s highest ideals.
Distinguished Alumna Award
Erin Wicklund ’04 Hendricks, M.A.
The highest distinction the alumni association can bestow, this award honors alumni who have enhanced the prestige of the University by virtue of their character, integrity, and nationally recognized personal accomplishments.
Lieutenant Colonel Erin Wicklund ’04 Hendricks, M.A., is a decorated United States Air Force officer transitioning into the U.S. Space Force. A 2004 graduate with a degree in international economics and cultural affairs, this distinguished alumna has built an exceptional career serving the U.S. in space operations and national defense. She continued her education at Webster University, earning a master of arts in management and leadership in 2007.
Progressive leadership roles and specialized expertise in critical space operations have marked her military career. With credentials spanning military satellite communications, space domain awareness, satellite command and control, strategic planning, missile warning, and orbital defense, she has served in diverse capacities, including executive officer, aide-de-camp, and legislative liaison. Her leadership trajectory includes serving as operations officer for Missile Warning missions (2020–2022), squadron commander for an Orbital Warfare unit (2022–2024), and deputy chief of staff (2024–2025). In September 2025, she will transition into the United States Space Force to work in Readiness and Global Force Management.
Her exemplary service has earned numerous honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Air and Space Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air and Space Achievement Medal, and the Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with five oak leaf clusters.
Since graduation, she has remained connected to Valparaiso University through donations to the University fraternity and sorority fund and continued support of Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Eta Delta chapter.
Reflecting on this recognition, she shares: “This is the most meaningful recognition because it is being awarded to me by the people who supported me and saw my ability before I had confidence in my own skills to lead and learn new things. I have been called to serve in the Air Force and now the Space Force, and I represent the values instilled in me by my time at Valpo. Thank you to the ladies of Kappa Kappa Gamma for being my family as I left home and started my college adventure, then dove into military service upon graduation. Valpo alumni, and most importantly, my sorority sisters, encouraged me to be myself in my newfound profession, and as I met my spouse. My friends from Valpo have become an extension of my family, always being my advocates and encouraging me to continue learning and growing. Thank you for this amazing recognition and biggest thank you to Jill Sifuentes ’04 Schur, M.S., for being my advocate and dear friend since day one at Valpo.”
Her path to military service began serendipitously at Valpo when the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Detachment at the University of Notre Dame introduced a crosstown cadet program. Encouraged by her friend Adam Schur ’04 – now Jill’s spouse – she attended her first class, an introduction that would lead her to serve in the space enterprise. The values and faith she reinforced during her time at Valpo also guided her to meet her husband, Mark, while both were serving in Colorado, and he has been her steadfast supporter throughout her career.
She credits her achievements to her incredible family – her husband, Mark, and daughter, Lily – who form the foundation of her success. “Together we are a team,” she notes. “Valpo has been a constant topic in our home because our family friends all tie back to my time at the University. I am so privileged to have the opportunity to work in the space missions supported by our nation, and my time at Valpo built my confidence to learn something new.”
Alumni Achievement Award
Sherry Whitaker ’92 Budziak
Honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen career or area of professional life.
When Sherry Whitaker ’92 Budziak walked across the stage in 1992 to receive her degree from Valparaiso University – a double major in communication and political science – she couldn’t have imagined the career that would unfold. But even then, she knew that meaningful work had to be guided by integrity, service, and courage. Those values, instilled during her time at Valpo, would become the compass for a remarkable journey of leadership and transformation. Today, Sherry is an AAiP-certified professional and founder of a consulting firm that serves hundreds of associations.
Her work has never been just about technology – it’s always been about people. Her commitment to the community extends far beyond her consulting practice. Through extensive volunteer leadership with the Association Forum, the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives, and the American Society of Association Executives, she has consistently given back to the field that has shaped her career. This dedication has earned her distinguished recognition, including the John C. Thiel Distinguished Service Award from the Association Forum in 2010 and the Visionary Award from the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives in 2018.
But perhaps her most profound contribution emerged from her greatest challenge. After losing her husband unexpectedly, she discovered that even in grief, resilience could flourish. That experience gave birth to the HEART Framework she now teaches: Humanize, Empower, Ascend, Reimagine, Transform. What began as a personal journey through loss evolved into a leadership philosophy that combines compassion with courage, demonstrating that disruption – whether in business or in life – isn’t something to fear, but an invitation to grow and lead with greater purpose.
Through it all, Valparaiso University has maintained its foundation in Sherry’s life. Those formative years on campus were more than an academic experience – they were the beginning of a journey that shaped who she is as a person, a leader, and a lifelong learner. What stands out most are the relationships formed during those years. Some of her closest,
most treasured friendships began on campus – women who have walked beside her through every season of life, encouraging her, challenging her, and cheering her on. One of those dear friends is Elizabeth, who nominated her for this award, a friendship that has been a constant source of support and inspiration.
Valpo’s influence didn’t stop with her own life – it extended to her daughter, Ashley Budziak ’23, a recent Valparaiso University graduate herself. Watching Ashley walk the same paths and grow into her own leadership has been one of the greatest joys of her life, proof that this University doesn’t just shape individual lives, it shapes legacies.
Receiving the Valparaiso University Alumni Achievement Award is, as she describes it, “an incredible honor – and a significant full-circle moment.” The University where she first learned that purpose and leadership could coexist is now recognizing the ripple effect of that education through every organization, leader, and community she has had the privilege to support.
“This award is not just a reflection of what I’ve accomplished,” she reflects. “It’s a celebration of how a Valparaiso University education continues to ripple through everything I do.” Her proudest achievement isn’t a title or an award – it’s knowing that she has helped others find clarity in chaos, lead with empathy, and take bold steps forward, even when the path was uncertain.
Her message is both simple and powerful: “You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep moving, keep learning, and lead with heart. That’s where transformation begins.” It’s a philosophy born at Valpo, tested through life’s challenges, and now offered as a gift to others seeking their own path forward.
Alumni Achievement Award
Mark Nelson ’87
Honors alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their chosen career or area of professional life.
A 1987 graduate of Valparaiso University with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering, Mark Nelson ’87 has built an accomplished career spanning nearly four decades. He furthered his executive education through Stanford University’s Executive Program in 2016.
Throughout his career, Mark has held senior leadership positions at some of the industry’s most prominent companies. Currently serving as chief commercial officer at Coherent Corp, he previously led sales and applications engineering organizations at Lattice Semiconductor (2019–2024), Intel (2016–2018), and Altera Corporation (2004–2015). His global experience includes two international assignments in Windsor, England – first with LSI Logic (19992001) and later with Altera (2009–2012) – where he led operations across the Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region.
Beyond his professional achievements, Mark has maintained a steadfast commitment to service. For more than two decades, he has volunteered with numerous organizations, including House of Hope, Boys Team Charity, and Habitat for Humanity. He has also given back to his alma mater by serving on the National Council for the College of Engineering at Valparaiso University.
Reflecting on this recognition, Mark shares, “I have realized how much Valpo has impacted my career and my life, and I am grateful. I was not a top student, but I am greatly humbled and appreciative of this recognition.” He credits Valparaiso University with providing a well-rounded education that taught him how to learn and adapt throughout his career. The University’s social fabric proved equally valuable, fostering lifelong friendships that continue to this day.
Valparaiso University holds special significance for him and his family. It was at Valpo that he met his wife, Stefanie Mursch ‘87 Nelson, also a 1987 Valpo graduate, and the couple married in the Chapel of the Resurrection. Together, they have shared the values and experiences from their Valpo years with their children, Brittany and Ryan, creating a legacy that extends across generations.
Sara Kosnoff Manske ’98, J.D. continued
She continues her commitment to pro bono legal work through programs including Lawyers Serving Warriors and the Holocaust Survivors Justice Network.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Valparaiso University Alumni Service Award. Valpo has had a profoundly positive impact on my life, both personally and professionally, and it has been a privilege to give back to a place that has given me so much. Service to Valpo has never felt like an obligation – it has been a joy. Whether through supporting students, engaging with fellow alumni, or contributing to the University’s mission, I have found deep meaning in staying connected to the community we all love. This recognition is both humbling and inspiring. It reminds me of the strength of the Valpo spirit – our shared commitment to faith, learning, leadership, and service – and of the many people who continue to make this University such a special place. I am grateful to be part of that ongoing story, and I look forward to continuing to support Valpo and its students in the years to come.”
Sara’s time at Valpo proved transformative in shaping her approach to leadership and service. It was at Valparaiso University that she first discovered the importance of having a voice and using it to make a difference – whether through Student Senate, leadership in fraternity and sorority life, or contributing ideas in community discussions. Those experiences gave her the confidence to speak up, work toward change, and believe that her perspective mattered.
Sara also learned that nothing meaningful is accomplished alone. From collaborating with fellow students in leadership roles to leaning on close friends during stressful times, Valpo taught her the power of teamwork and the gift of surrounding yourself with people of integrity, character, and faith. Looking back, the lessons of service, leadership, and community she experienced at Valpo are the very same values that energize her in her career and personal life today. They continue to remind her that absolute joy comes from engaging deeply, working alongside others, and striving to make a positive difference.
Alumni Community Service Award
Connie S. Rudd Hannon ’97
Honors alumni who have enhanced the prestige of the University by virtue of their character and integrity through outstanding service in their community, including religious, civic, or charitable organizations or programs, either local or national in scope and structure.
Connie S. Rudd Hannon ’97 received a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) from Valparaiso University in 1997. Her remarkable 38-year career in public health exemplifies the transformative impact one dedicated nurse can have on an entire community. As director of nursing for the Porter County Health Department from 2001–2023, she built a legacy of leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to protecting and improving public health across Northwest Indiana. Her professional journey began even before earning her BSN from Valparaiso University in 1997, building upon her 1974 nursing diploma and a deep-rooted passion for community health. From 1995–2000, she developed and implemented Porter County’s groundbreaking Childhood Lead Poisoning and Prevention Program, demonstrating early in her career the proactive, systems-level thinking that would become her hallmark. Her induction into Sigma Theta Tau in 1997 recognized her academic excellence and commitment to nursing scholarship.
During the 2008-2010 H1N1 epidemic, she served as nurse manager for all Porter County vaccination clinics, orchestrating the organization, coordination, and implementation of mass immunization efforts while hiring and training additional nursing staff. Her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 2019–2022, proved even more critical, as she worked closely with the Indiana State Department of Health on every aspect of the response – from designing and operating testing sites and vaccination clinics to advising school systems and coordinating with emergency management, law enforcement, and public officials. Her outstanding pandemic response earned commendations from Senator Braun, the Porter County Commissioners, and the State Health Commissioner’s Award for Excellence in Public Health in 2023. Connie’s expertise extends across the full spectrum of public health preparedness and environmental health. Her extensive training in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS), certification as a smallpox vaccine administration trainer, and experience with point of dispensing (POD) countermeasures clinics, along with her Strategic National Stockpile training, positioned her as a regional leader in emergency
First Decade Achievement Award
Hayden Hast ’15
Honors an alumnus/alumna for outstanding professional achievement, community service, and/or service to the University during the first decade following the completion of his/her undergraduate degree. Alumni are eligible for this award in their 10th reunion year.
Hayden Hast graduated in 2015 with a bachelor of science in electrical and computer engineering and has since built an impressive and diverse career.
As a core member of the MIPI Software Working Group from 2019–2021, Hayden contributed to the publication of the inaugural MIPI SoundWire Device Class for Audio Specification, helping establish industry standards that shape modern audio technology. His technical achievements earned him Cirrus Logic’s prestigious “Rockstar” Award, recognizing multiple company achievements, including defining Cirrus’s first-generation mobile handset haptic controller with inductive sensing and advancing business development initiatives. He has also developed automotive power designs for front camera systems using singlecore voltage application processors, demonstrating versatility across consumer and automotive electronics.
Beyond traditional engineering, Hayden founded a successful real estate business, focusing on owning and operating single-family home rentals in the Sunbelt and Southwest regions, which showcased his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen.
His commitment to conservation and outdoor recreation drives his volunteer work throughout central Texas. Since 2020, he has been an active member of the Hill Country Conservancy, working to preserve the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. Understanding the profound connection between nature, physical activity, and mental health, he serves and volunteers with both the Shoal Creek Conservancy and the Trail Foundation, organizations dedicated to maintaining and expanding trail systems in Austin, Texas.
Hayden’s connection to Valpo extends well beyond graduation. While at Texas Instruments – a position secured through Valpo’s alumni network – he helped build connections through networking events, paying forward the support he received as a new graduate.
Reflecting on receiving this award, he shares: “It is extremely humbling to represent the Class of 2015 as a recipient of this award. I’m so grateful for the educational, social, and professional opportunities that Valpo provided me as a student through the College of Engineering and the Valpo Football program.” He extends special thanks to Dean Doug Tougaw ’05 MBA, Ph.D., PE, who served as his first-year advisor, professor, and undergraduate research advisor and coauthor.
His Valpo experience was marked by leadership and diverse engagement. As project lead for the inaugural Valpo Robotic Football team – his senior design project – he guided a crossfunctional team through countless late nights in Gellersen Engineering and Mathematics Center to victory: a national championship in their first year competing. This experience provided his “first true taste of what it means to lead a team and develop an engineering product.”
His four years on the Valpo Football team forged lifelong friendships that continue through annual reunions across the country. As vice president of the Student Alumni Association and president of Tau Beta Pi, he developed crucial leadership and communication skills while strengthening bonds with fellow engineering students. Perhaps most personally rewarding was his work as a Hesse Tutor, helping struggling students gain confidence and understanding – an experience that deepened his own mastery of engineering fundamentals. “I could highlight all the individual lessons learned, but really, the best takeaway and why I think Valpo provides students with a great experience is the truly diverse and plentiful opportunities I was able to take advantage of over my four years there. I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do half of these things at a large university.”
Laurel Wreath Society Award
Cassidy A. Kuhlmann ’05, M.A.
The Valparaiso University Fraternity and Sorority Laurel Wreath Society was created to recognize the accomplishments of fraternity and sorority alumni for their contributions to the greater society. Alumni are recognized for their contribution to philanthropic initiatives and/or public service, or for their commitment to advancing the fraternity and sorority experience on the local, national, or international level.
Cassidy earned her bachelor of arts in communications from Valparaiso University in 2005, where she was a student-athlete on the swim team and an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Eta Delta chapter. She later completed a master of arts in teaching (M.A.) from National Louis University and earned an Educational and Instructional Technology Credential. Since graduation, Cassidy has maintained deep connections to Valparaiso University and her sorority. She has served as an adviser to the Eta Delta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma since 2006, advising nearly every leadership role including advisory board chair and executive board adviser. Her chapter advisory work has extended to the Eta Lambda chapter at Loyola University (2010–2015) and Delta Phi Chapter at Bucknell University (2024 – Present). She has also been a dedicated supporter of the Valpo swim team, regularly attending the Alumni Swim Meet, and has volunteered with the new Valparaiso University admission office initiative, the Brown and Gold Alumni Program.
On the international level, she has volunteered with Kappa Kappa Gamma since 2010 in numerous capacities: panhellenic specialist, Kappa education trainer, province director, district director, and lead facilitator for the GIRLS Academy program. Since 2024, she has served as panhellenic affairs chair and chief panhellenic officer. Additionally, she has been actively involved in the Northwest Suburban KKG Alumnae Association since 2011, serving as website chair (2014–2016) and philanthropy chair (2021–2022). Since 2020, she has served as a volunteer area advisor for the National Panhellenic Conference.
Her exceptional volunteer service has been recognized with multiple honors, including Valparaiso University’s George T. Kilavos Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award (2018) and the Outstanding Alumnae Achievement Award from the Chicagoland Northwest Suburban Alumnae Panhellenic Association (2022).
Reflecting on receiving the Laurel Wreath Society Award, Cassidy shares: “I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition. I loved every moment as an undergraduate Kappa Kappa Gamma, but am continually reminded that true sisterhood is for a lifetime. The sorority experience is as necessary and relevant today as it was when the National Panhellenic Conference was formed in 1902. I strive to do my part to support this mission and hope we can continue to preserve the sorority experience for future generations.”
Of her time at Valparaiso University, she recalls: “My time at Valpo was transformational. The relationships that were started in my four years as an undergrad are still some of my most important and impactful relationships. As a student-athlete on the swim team and a loyal member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, I learned a tremendous amount about my personal values and leadership style. The spirit of community and service to others is something that has stuck with me well beyond my college days.”
Cassidy credits her husband, Brad, for his unwavering support of her extensive volunteer commitments, noting that none of her work would be possible without his encouragement of her passions and interests.
