Lissa Yogan

The Valparaiso University community mourns the passing of Lissa VanBebber ’82 Yogan, Ph.D., professor of sociology and criminology and associate provost for faculty affairs.

Lissa earned her bachelor of arts in international economics and cultural affairs from Valpo in 1982. She first returned to campus as a member of the faculty in the fall of 1995 as a visiting assistant professor of sociology and then on a full time basis in 1997 as an assistant professor of sociology and criminology.

As an alumna and faculty member, Lissa’s impact on Valparaiso University is deep and her legacy far reaching. As a faculty member in the Department of Sociology and Criminology she progressed from assistant professor (1997-2008), associate professor (2008-2019) to full professor (2019-2024). During her career, Lissa taught a variety of sociology courses at all undergraduate levels using various delivery formats.

Just one encounter with Lissa was enough to know that she loved her profession, she loved working with students, and she loved life. Unfortunately — at loss to all — her time with us has been cut short, way too soon. But the marker of her time on this earth and at Valparaiso University is well established and will be remembered by all of us. I pray that she has found comfort in Heaven.