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Hello Alumni, Parents, and Friends of CC,
Greetings from Mueller Hall and beyond. Boy, do we have a treat for you this month. This Spillikin features the voices of some CC alumni. In fact, I turn it over now to Danielle Carrig ’00 who is your host for this Spillikin! - Dean Prough
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Dear Christ College Community,
To the class of 2025, hello from the future. You are about to enter the world with one of the best foundations that anyone could ask for. Stand tall, you have a mighty network of alumni behind you. Use it; forge a path and be bold in your contributions.
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| To our esteemed alumni –
I’m Danielle Carrig, class of 2000, and I’ve borrowed Dean Prough’s pen in a moment of personal reflection, so bear with me. A few months ago, I sent her a cold email with the simple question: How can I help? Perhaps you too are feeling the thinning of institutions, of community, of the ties to the things that have made us who we are. I’ve spent the last many years working in one of those institutions — media and news — trying my best to protect it and ensure it thrives.
Higher education is in that same boat. As we increasingly become shaped by technology and the drive for efficiency, a broad liberal arts education isn’t exactly the most popular choice. We see the effects all around us — the struggle to connect, to find common ground and co-exist with humility and humanity. Yet, the ability to think critically, to question and build solutions, to express oneself with clarity and purpose, to find grounding in faith and ethics … these are things that can be taught. And it’s what Christ College does so brilliantly. I cannot imagine a world without CC graduates. We need more of them.
Would any of us be who we are today without having fallen asleep in the Egg Chair, exhausted (and exhilarated!) from all that rigorous studying (and perhaps a few other extracurricular activities)? Oh, and the freedom to dissect the day’s thorniest issues without fear or judgement, and the fellowship that comes when brilliant faculty are personally invested in making you a better scholar and person. What a gift we have been given.
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CC in Pictures: Honors Visit Day
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It was a CC family affair as the class of 2029 met us at Mueller Hall to sample a class and meet our scholars at Honors Visit Day 2025. Alumni Michelle Sloan ’93 Pavasars and Rachel Mueller ’97 Bormet sent sons and nephews, respectively, to our celebration and exploration of all things honors, while current students Joshua Klabunde ’25, Lydia Klabunde ’27, and Helen MacWilliams ’27 had siblings attend. We hope to see all these exceptional and engaged students back this summer for FOCUS!
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Top row: Julia and mom Emily socialize with attendees at the opening session, Annabelle and her dad take in words of welcome from Dean Prough; Bottom row: Chaela and Ari participate in a sample seminar, Mitch chats with new friends in the Commons, Jayda ponders the good life with other future scholars.
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Watch and ListenWe’re loving the Institute for Leadership and Service’s Listening for Purpose podcast featuring CC student host Simeon Klepac ’25! Guests from every corner of campus join Simeon to share their journeys of discovery and write the collective Valpo story. Stream on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, or watch at youtube.com/@ILASatValpo.
You can also still stream our playlist on Spotify, curated by Quinlan Scott ’25 and featuring faves from CC students, faculty, and staff.
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Alumni Voices: Kylie Krawulski ’23
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“My time in Christ College was monumental in shaping me into the person I am today. I value having conversations where I can both listen intently to others while also confidently sharing my own thoughts and opinions. One way in which this has appeared in my life has been the process of organizing a ‘repair cafe’ in Indianapolis. A group of friends and I put together a monthly event where folks from all over town who have repair skills, such as mending clothing or fixing appliances, can be available for a few hours to repair items for free. Putting all the moving parts together seemed like a daunting task at first, but after a few meetings where we all shared ideas and organized our thoughts, the first Indianapolis Repair Cafe was a great success! The community we are building here reminds me a lot of Christ College, and the skills I learned at my time at Valpo prepared me to thrive in this community just the same.”
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Help CC Continue to Flourish
As we prepare to welcome the Class of 2029 CC Scholars, your memories and advice will help sustain our community of learning and shine a light on how truly special the Valpo CC experience is. Share your story by filling out the Christ College Alumni Spotlight form, and we’ll feature you on Christ College social media, here in our Spillikin e-newsletter, on our website, and in other important communications to the CC community.
If you have other news you would like to share or ideas for connecting with the College, current students, or alumni, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at christ.college@valpo.edu.
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| What is your favorite CC memory?
My favorite CC memory was any class with Professor Bill Olmsted. He was always so funny and kept the discussion interesting. I particularly enjoyed his seminar on Poe and Baudelaire – although I couldn’t do the reading for it right before going to bed!
How has CC informed your path since graduation?
CC shaped my trajectory after graduation in profound ways. The rigorous curriculum honed my ability to critically read patents, contracts, and other legal documents—skills that are invaluable in my current role. Beyond this technical proficiency, the emphasis on critical thinking equipped me to craft innovative solutions to complex, multifaceted challenges. Moreover, the vibrant classroom discussions, often marked by lively debates and differing perspectives, cultivated my capacity to engage in robust, respectful dialogues. This ability to tolerate and even appreciate disagreement has been crucial in both my professional and personal life.
What advice would you give current students?
Cherish this time. Dive deep into your studies, but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Engage in discussions, challenge your own perspectives, and embrace the discomfort that comes with growth. Build relationships with professors and peers—they’ll be your network and support system long after you leave. Remember, your education isn’t just about the content you learn, but about the way it shapes your thinking and your approach to the world. And never underestimate the power of curiosity and resilience.
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| What is your favorite CC memory?
There were so many CC classes that made me think about things in new ways. One was on Rock & Roll, taught by musicologist Peter Mercer-Taylor. We listened to a wide range of classic and contemporary music, and worked to understand its importance and cultural context. I wrote my CC thesis in this class, on Prince. The other was “Reweaving the Rainbow,” taught by John Knox. In this class we read texts related to science and the humanities, and how they intersect. We even performed Brecht's “Galileo” as part of the class!
How has CC informed your path since graduation?
I do research and teach in atmospheric science, which requires theoretical and physical understanding, but which also affects people every day. Many scientists understand the technical details, but fewer think carefully about how to communicate their work and what it means. There can be incentives to over-specialize, but I’ve never wanted to follow that path. The deep thinking and intensive reading and writing at the core of CC has always helped me to understand how the science I do has broader meaning and purpose. I try to mentor my students with this in mind as well.
What advice would you give current students?
Be curious! You probably already are if you took the initiative to join Christ College, but it’s just a good characteristic to wonder how the world works, why things are the way they are (and how they could be better), and what is true.
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| In Closing
Right now, the experiences that make CC what it is — the First-Year Production, the Oxford Debates, the community-building moments that Dean Prough champions — are powered almost entirely by our generosity. In honor of Valpo Day on April 9, we have the chance to come together, elevate the CC Dean’s Fund to the top of the giving board, and demonstrate that this community is thriving. Let’s keep the conversations going. Let’s keep CC strong.
Danielle
Danielle.Carrig@gmail.com
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