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/Winter 2017
Patrick Fazio
Patrick Fazio ’00 joined NBC 5 as an anchor and reporter July 2017. Patrick served as a morning news anchor at NBC affiliate KSHB in Kansas City since 2013. He is a St. Louis, Missouri native, who has worked for stations in Terre Haute, Indiana, Springfield, Illinois, and Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Emily Backe
Emily Backe ’00 was appointed the chief human resource officer of HealthLinc. She will be responsible for the development and execution of human resources strategy in support of the business plan and strategic direction of HealthLinc. Emily has held positions as human resource manager for Alliance for Audited Media and director of human resources for the University of Chicago Library. Most recently, she was the associate dean of administration for the University of Chicago.
Published Fall 2022
Kenya Jenkins-Wright
Kenya Jenkins-Wright ’00 was selected as a Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and Chicago Lawyer magazine Salute! Top 50 Women in Law honoree in August 2021.
Published Fall 2019
Mark Kerins
Mark Kerins ’00 was promoted to full professor at Southern Methodist University, where he teaches film/video production in the Division of Film & Media Arts. His recent sci-fi short, “Echoes,” had a successful festival run, playing in more than 40 festivals and winning awards at six of them. His feature thriller, “All the Wrong Friends,” has been acquired for distribution and will be out fall 2019.
Ben Dickmann
Ben Dickmann ’00 made a photo for the Miami Dolphins, for whom he is a team photographer, and received an Honorable Mention by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their 51st Annual Photo Contest. This annual contest is the highest recognition for a photographer in the NFL, with photographers from every team and press agency competing
Published Winter 2019
Jeff Conrad
Jeff Conrad ’00 was recently promoted to associate head softball coach at the University of North Florida (UNF). He previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Central Florida (UCF). During this time, the UCF staff was named the 2015 American Athletic Conference Coaching Staff of the Year as well as the 2015 NFCA Mideast Region Coaching Staff of the Year. Jeff set offensive school records at UCF and UNF while serving as the hitting coach. He currently resides in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.