Alumni and families gathered at Valparaiso University for Homecoming and Family Weekend on campus.
Lindsay DeBoer, Special Events Coordinator for the Career and Alumni Network, was at Friday evening’s kickoff events.
“We are excited to welcome everyone,” said DeBoer, now in her second year in the position. “The Homecoming Court announcement is one of the starting events for the weekend.”
In addition to the court announcements, there was a free tie-dye making station, cornhole games, outdoor fires, a trivia contest, food trucks and fireworks.
“It is great to see students and alumni coming together, with students sharing their stories and alumni coming back with their own stories,” said Anthony Ceja, coordinator for student activities. “There have been many positive changes and university expansion for everyone to see.”
The trivia contest gathered many teams of alumni and families. The Alvia family from Rolling Meadows, Illinois, decided to compete children versus parents. Alvin and Joy Alvia, along with daughter Emily, were visiting daughter Amanda, in her second year of the physician assistant program.
“We have a full weekend planned,” said mom Joy Alvia, glancing at her schedule. “We have the president’s breakfast, tailgating for the game and a detective dinner.”
Questions for the trivia contest ranged from “By U.S. law, what two colors must exit signs be?” to “What is April’s birthstone?”
“I do trivia all over Northwest Indiana, so I was able to write the questions myself,” said Kurt Gillins, class of 2000, who has hosted the trivia contest since it started two years ago.
Inside the Harre Union on Friday night, alumni checked in to receive their nametags and schedule for the weekend, as well as take the opportunity to visit the bookstore and take some pictures in front of several prepared backdrops.
Shwan Mustafa, class of 2016, was attending his first homecoming with his wife, Nadine. They now live in Texas.
“The people at VU were super nice, and you always felt like you were at home,” said Mustafa. “The community here on campus is beautiful.”
“Seeing him visit his old professors and being so excited to see them, and then they were so excited to see him, it was so wonderful,” said Sarnaj, who was visiting Valparaiso for the first time. “The campus is beautiful, so much greenery. We don’t have that in Texas.”
Inside the ballroom, alumni gathered for the annual Alumni Awards, where 10 distinguished alumni were award recipients for service to the university, to their community, or achievements in their careers or professional lives.
“Our community reflects a full spectrum of leadership,” said Lori Miltenberger, executive director for the Career and Alumni Network. “The quiet, behind-the-scenes leaders whose steady influence creates lasting change. We have forward-facing, high-visibility leaders who inspire through their public presence. Both are essential. Both are celebrated. Both are Valpo.”
“Valpo doesn’t just exist through the boundaries of our campus,” said Miltenberger, class of 1992. “Valpo shows up. We show up in life. We show up in communities. We show up in each other. Leadership lessons we have learned are lived lessons, supported by others who share in our experiences and believe in our potential.”
For more information on the Valparaiso University Career and Alumni Network, visit valpo.edu/about/vucan.
Deena Butterfield is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
