Class Notes

Retirement provided Mark Zimmerman ’91 with an opportunity to return to his artistic roots. In the past two years, Mark has become a very prolific watercolorist creating beautiful paintings for his family, friends, and the community. His artwork has been selected at the Art Barn’s Annual Art Exhibition in 2022 and 2023. Recently Mark’s watercolor of Sunset Hill County Park was selected as part of the Berrien Artist Guild’s Exhibition in St. Joseph, Michigan and the Porter County Library’s Senior Exhibition. An enthusiastic volunteer in the community, Mark donates his time and talent to many area organizations and nonprofits including the VNA Hospice Meals on Wheels and United Way Northwest Indiana’s RSVP Program.

Kimberly Dana ’91 and Brian Jirak ’90 were married on June 15, 2024 in Brentwood, Tennessee with several Valpo alumni in attendance.

Kimberly Dana Kimmel ’91 was named Literacy Teacher Development Specialist for Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Laura Annis ’91 Clay a 2018 Author Academy Award for her supernatural mystery novel “Demontown.”

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kirtland ’91 was recently selected to attend a Senior Service College at the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa. He is enrolled in a two-year distance education program in order to obtain a master’s degree in strategic studies. Less than 7 percent of all U.S. Army Reserve Officers are selected to and complete a Senior Service College.

Robert Kirtland ’91 was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army Reserve, and was selected to serve as Deputy Commander, 91st Legal Operations Detachment, located in Forest Park, Ill. In addition, on March 30 he was sworn in with a group from the Indiana State Bar Association to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.