COMPLIMENTS OF THE DEAN, SEPTEMBER 2021
COMPLIMENTS OF THE DEAN, SEPTEMBER 2021
Compliments of the Dean, September 2021
Hello Alums, Parents, and Friends of CC,

Mueller Hall has certainly been an exciting place to be over the past few weeks. While we had most of our classes in person last year we were masked and distanced, and the use of common areas was restricted. More importantly our normal college events in which we gather with food were all restricted or cancelled. This helped us maintain our in person school year successfully (which was no small feat), but felt much more subdued than usual. This year, with a campus-wide vaccination rate well above 90%, it feels a bit like a grand reopening. It has been energizing to see the hallways and the Commons filled with students again, to hear the chatter of excited reunions, continued conversations as students emerge from classrooms, and to have students stop by the office to say hello or ask for help with a schedule. It is a good time to be at Mueller Hall these days. 

And it is an exciting time to be at Valpo with a President Padilla’s inauguration coming up, a new nickname, and a new mascot coming soon. Go Beacons!

I especially want to welcome our newest alums, the class of 2021 and new parents of the class of 2025 to our online community. Compliments of the Dean is a short monthly newsletter to keep you informed of college events and news throughout the academic year.

Who am I?

My name is Dr. Jennifer Prough and I am thrilled to serve as interim dean this year. I am a CC alum myself and I have been teaching in Christ College since 2005. My fields are cultural anthropology, Japanese studies, media studies, and tourism. This summer I moved into the dean’s office, which mostly meant moving too many books! I am happy to be in this role, helping students adjust to life on campus and navigate their education; and I am excited to guide the college in ongoing conversations about preparing students to lead and serve for the twenty-first century.
As many of you already know, in July Dean VanZanten stepped down from her role as dean with an eye towards retiring. This year, she has graciously offered to oversee the Lilly Fellows program and the Tenure and Promotion so that I can both teach a class and apply for Full Professor. Additionaly, she still serves as the Vice President for Mission and Ministry while the search for that position is underway. I am grateful for her leadership and mentorship.
Welcome Back
On campus we gathered for our Beginning of the Year Picnic this year after a hiatus last year. As usual students, faculty and staff gathered for some good food and games. It was the debut of the new CC t-shirt designed by sophomore Allison Platcha. As always, the tug-of-war was a highlight of the evening. This year we all learned (the hard way) how energized, enthusiastic, and powerful our first-year class is. They handily defeated the sophomores, the seniors, and even the faculty (who had help from the tutorial assistants as well!).

The picnic was followed by the Dean’s Annual Address where I spoke with students about being purposeful this year. After thinking through common phrases like: “I didn’t do it on purpose,” “what is the purpose of this,” “what is the point or meaning of this,” and acknowledging the losses and anxieties of the past year-plus, I ended with the charge to be purposeful this year. “Purposeful living sets goals and tackles challenges but with intention, thinking beyond just crossing a finish line or checking a box. Being purposeful is about how you live in the world and how you care for yourself and others. As you think about your relationships with family and friends, classmates and strangers; as you think about your homework, service and leadership commitments; as you think about the ways you want to be in this world, here and now—be purposeful.”
Homecoming
We hope many of you are planning on “coming home” to Valpo this Fall. We will host our annual CC Reception in the Commons on Saturday, October 1 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. You can find more information and links to registration at: https://www.valpo.edu/homecoming/  
New connections
We are trying to gather more alum stories and news to share both here and on our website. Do you have a recent success, achievement, life change, or idea to share? Contact us here.  I would love to hear from you. 
With compliments,


Jennifer Prough, Ph.D.
Interim Dean, Christ College
Click Here to Support the CC Dean's Annual Fund
 
Christ College, The Honors College

219.464.5022 - Mueller Hall, 1300 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493 USA - valpo.edu/christ-college
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