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
Matt Ward
Matt Ward ’16 was selected as one of 31 members of the 2017–2018 NCAA postgraduate internship class. Matt is in the midst of his year-long internship at the NCAA national office in Indianapolis, where he is working in Division II governance.
Published Fall 2023
Joshua Wolfgram
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has named Joshua Wolfgram ’16 to its 2023 class of Young Leaders to Follow. The 2023 Young Leaders to Follow class is composed of 20 transportation professionals under 35-years-old who have demonstrated leadership and innovation within the transportation industry and ITE. Josh says. “Many thanks to Valpo for preparing me and helping develop the leadership skills that put me in a position to receive this honor so early on in my career.”
Published Winter 2019
Sarah Drozdowski and Jacob Smutz
Sarah Drozdowski ’14 and Jacob Smutz ’16 welcomed Jerzy (George) Adam Smutz, born Nov. 11, 2018.
Joseph Egan
Joseph Egan ’16 and Laura Trude Egan were married on Oct. 13, 2018, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, with several Valpo alumni in attendance.
Joshua and Abigail Hedlin Wolfgram
Abigail Hedlin ’16 Wolfgram and Joshua Wolfgram ’16 were married on May 28, 2017. Joshua proposed to Abigail in the Chapel of the Resurrection in March 2016 with the help of the Friday Morning Prayer Band. They were married in Abigail’s hometown of New Lenox, Illinois, by her father and Joshua’s grandfather. The Friday Morning Prayer Band played at their reception. Abigail and Joshua currently live in Arlington, Virginia, and are thankful for their many Valpo memories.
Published Spring/Summer 2017
Nathan Gafkjen
Nathan Gafkjen ’16 wrote an article that appeared in the July 2015 issue of Living Lutheran, the official magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). “Bound for New Orleans” summarizes the issues that came before the ELCA’s churchwide assembly, Aug. 10–13. Nathan is currently an intern with the ELCA’s Strategic Communications staff.