Valpo alumni are doing amazing things across the country and around the world — in their professional and personal lives. They’re leading industries, contributing knowledge, and serving in a multitude of ways. These class notes offer a glimpse into their activities, accomplishments, and milestones. If you have news to share with your fellow Valpo alumni, please share it below.
Published Fall 2024
Amy Crowley
In February 2022, Amy Crowley ’99 opened a 100% Gluten-Free carry-out kitchen. Auntie Amy’s Home Cooking has been open for over two years and going strong, with several Valpo Grads supporting them as regulars.
Published Spring/Summer 2016
Mark Williams
Mark Williams ’99 and Colleen Thesen Williams welcomed Elliot Carter Williams, born May 2, 2015.
Tanya Smutka
Tanya Smutka ’99 earned tenure in the biology department at Inver Hills Community College in Minnesota in 2014 and spent the 2014–2015 academic year on sabbatical. She was also awarded the Minnesota Campus Compact’s 2014 Presidents’ Civic Engagement Steward Award for her work in designing opportunities for her students to engage in service learning with environmental agencies and K–12 schools and for work hosting “Expanding Your Horizons,” a conference engaging middle school girls in STEM careers.
Kurt Mattix
Kurt Mattix ’99 joined Valparaiso University’s football team as an assistant coach.
Published Summer 2015
Benjeman Nichols and Brian A. von Rueden
On New Year’s Eve of 2000, Benjeman Nichols ’99 and Brian A. von Rueden ’01 exchanged rings on Benjeman’s apartment balcony in Dresden, Germany. They have had a number of ceremonies with varying levels of legal significance since then. Most notably, on their 10-year anniversary in 2008, they had a ceremony at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicago. And in 2014, the two were officially married by the state.
Jodi Boling
In fall 2014, Jodi Boling ’99 M.S. joined the nursing faculty as assistant professor at the University of St. Francis, Crown Point, Ind.