Spotlighted Students

Jared Erickson

Major: Mathematics
Minor: Chemistry
Graduates: 2009

Why did you choose to be a math major?
Math was always my best subject in school, and it's fun.
What are your career plans after graduation?
I don't know what I want to do for a career, but I might go to graduate school.
What extra-carricular activities do you participate in at Valpo?
I play in the concert band.

Heather Forney

Major: Mathematics
Minor: Secondary Education
Graduates: 2008

Why did you choose to be a math major?
Because I wanted to be a high school math teacher. I transfered to Valpo from Purdue University to learn in a smaller atmosphere. I got to know many of the mathematics department and I liked the person-to-person experiences.
Describe your internship/co-op/research experience in the program.
I have been involved with student teaching.
What are your career plans after graduation?
I plan to teach at a large high school in northwest Indiana.
What extra-carricular activities do you participate in at Valpo?
I tutor on the side to other undergrads or highschoolers.

Carissa Heinold

Major: Mathematics
Minor: Secondary Education
Graduates: 2008

Why did you choose to be a math major?
I enjoyed math in high school and the challenge of different types of problems. I also wanted to teach.
Describe your internship/co-op/research experience in the program.
I have been involved with student teaching.
What are your career plans after graduation?
Move to southern Illinois and become a math teacher at the high school level. I would also like to coach softball and go back and get my masters in administration.
What extra-carricular activities do you participate in at Valpo?
Track & Field, Beacon (yearbook), Chi Omega Panhellenic Executive Board, Phone Program

Brett Meyer

Major: Computer Science
Minor: Mathematics
Graduates: 2008

Why did you choose to be a computer science major?
I enjoy programming. I know that sounds like grade-A "nerd" material, but I honestly get satisfaction seeing software I've created accomplishing something.
Describe your internship/co-op/research experience in the program.
I intern with Healthcall (a medical software company in the Purdue Tech Center in Crown Point) developing web applications. I love the work and responsibility.
I have also participated in research projects with Professor Gillman (mathematics) and Professor Glass (search engine visualizations). I enjoyed gaining experience and being forced to think in ways that courses can't provide.
What are your career plans after graduation?
I hope to work full-tim developing web applications, while eventually gaining a management position.
What extra-carricular activities do you participate in at Valpo?
Campus Crusade; Celebrate!; intramural tennis, racketball, basketball, volleyball, and flag football

Justin Vasiljevich

Major: Computer Science
Minors: Liberal Arts in Business, Applied Statistics, Mathematics
Graduates: 2008

Why did you choose to be a computer science major?
I originally began as a business student and a computer science minor. Over time, I realized I relly enjoyed my work in the CS department, so I changed my major to CS and used my business credits to apply toward some new minors.
Describe your internship/co-op/research experience in the program.
This semester I have started working with Professor Glass on his research grant project. We will be working with North Carolina A&T.
What are your career plans after graduation?
I plan to pursue a master's degree and look for a career in computer programming.
What extra-carricular activities do you participate in at Valpo?
I am involved in the ACM.

Nathan Vining

Majors: Mathematics, Meteorology
Minor: N/A
Graduates: 2007

Why did you choose to be a math major?
Valpo has a great complementary math major option that allowed me to pursue multiple interests.
Describe your internship/co-op/research experience in the program.
I had some internships in meteorology.
What are your career plans after graduation?
I plan to start law school in fall 2007, but haven't decided where yet.
What extra-carricular activities do you participate in at Valpo?
I participate in many activities within the meteorology program.