The Valpo Core Reader (formerly the Freshman Reader: A Magazine of Student Writing) collects and honors excellent writing from Valparaiso University students who have been through the Valpo Core Program the previous year. These essays address a wide variety of texts and topics and include many genres of writing, including argumentative papers, personal narratives, and more. Main themes are drawn from the curriculum of the Core Program, which is arranged according to important aspects of human experience: origins, education, love, leadership and service, work and vocation, and matters of "life and death."
Narrative Essays
The Trauma of Public Speaking (1995), Patillia Woods
Not Everyone Failed the Chemistry Final (1984), Lisa Yaeger
Origins Essays
A Picture “Perfect” Life (2012), Avery Blackburn
Grenade in Grenada (2012), Sean Hatfield
Airborne (2012), Darren Lo
My Origins (2012), Danny Mosco
Jason and Amanda vs. the World (2012), Amanda Riley
Me, Myself, I, and Alex (2011), Andrew Vande Guchte
First Lesson—To Be Modest (2011), Yang Wu
Pangu and Ancient China (2011), Weiwei Yao
Peer Review Letters
Untitled (2002), Manav Alagh
Untitled (2004), Dana Dobosz
Untitled (2003), Emily Hollingsworth
Untitled (2003), Matt Preuss
Peer Review Letter (2001), Jolene VanderMeer
Portfolio Introduction Essays
"Endtroduction" (2005), Myranda Bellman
Organizing the Clutter (2008), Kathryn Boldt
Reflective Essay (2008), Danette Buehrle
"Least Like Writing" (2005), Bill Celorio
"This isn't Core class!" (2003), Keriann Conley
Experience (2011), Anthony Dary
I Think I Got a Bite (2008), Mike Djokic
Portfolio Introduction (2001), Garret H. Grev
Portfolio Introduction (2001), Barb Hansen
The Stories that Save Us (2004), Will Hartwell
"In Time, Knowledge Gets Better" (2005), Bret Hassler
"Got Perspective?" (2002), Alisha Hoffman
"Making New Goals" (2002), Steve Klee
Reflections on Core (2006), Jeff Macke
Per Aspera Ad Astra ("Through thorns to stars") (2008), Sheril Retson
Jacob Schur: Student and Writer (2008), Jacob Schur
Wow, I really do have something to say (2004), Kristine Sorenson
Not Just Another Semester of It (2007), Laura Stange
The Past, Present, and Future of a Valpo Freshman (2008), Ben Taylor
Portfolio Introduction (2006), Jim Turchyn
Reflections on CORE (2007), Laura Wagoner
What a Year of CORE Has Brought Me (2007), Rachel Williams
We've Gone Around the Sun Again--A Reflection on A Semester Well Spent (2007), Ethan Zillinger
Process Analysis Essays
Learning to Listen Again (1995), David Adams
Childhood Remains (1997), Amanda Baum
Weight Training (1985), Tim Bechtold
A Free Golf Lesson (1996), Josh Bemus
Split Ends (1996), Chantale Bilar
A Day at the Races (1996), Teria Blagg
Learning the Real Meaning (1996), Deanna Bradley
Flander Giggin' Southern Style (1986), Kelly Brassie
The Food of Kings (1991), Eric Brauer
How to Annoy Your Roommate (1984), Jennifer Brittig
Gonzo (1995), Angie Brodnik
How to Eat an Oreo (1995), Kimberly Bubac
My Summer Pastime (1996), David Coble
What's for Dinner, Not Who! (1993), Heather Danek
The "Ellis Chocolate Chip" (1986), John Ellis
Lights...Camera...Action (1993), Ryan Evans
The Road to Liberation (1996), Jennifer Fett
How to Avoid Studying (1992), Julie Glendenning
Perfecting a Concerto (1983), Susan Henry
Ascension in Decline (1989), Paul Ignacio
How to Succeed as a Television Evangelist (1988), Scott Kelley
The Revelation (1992), Jeff Kloss
Netty (1995), David Kohlmeier
The Game (1994), Amy McFarland
The College Transition (1997), Christina Mitchell
To Rest Assured (1993), Robyn Pollick
The Joy of Jogging (1985), Rhonda Reuter
Off to New Lands (1997), Allison E. Rubow
A Fast Lesson on the Fiddle (1995), Jennifer Skaer
Diet: A Four Letter Word (1986), Lori Smith
The Scary Man (1994), Jennifer Stockrahm
Mastering the Art of Rap (1990), Ronnie Taylor
The Fisher's Catch (1985), David Van Dyke
Successful Long Jumping (1988), Steve Votsis
Choosing Tropical Fish (1987), Ken Wenzler
A Battle of Wits (1984), Lisa Yaeger
Research and Argument Essays
Happy Birthday from Uncle Sam (1995), Bill Kramer
Responsibility Narratives
Reading Buddies (2003), Steve Hlady
Happy Birthday Bri (2004), Kristine Sorensen
Worker Profiles
Wooden Brush Strokes (2004), Elizabeth Banda
"Semper Fi" (2002), Linda Filan
"What's the Appeal, Again?" (2005), Jackie Fuller
"Menace Man" (2002), Lindsey Fuller
Misrepresented (2003), Matthew Glomski
Writing to Teach (2004), Lauren Kaptur
Chosen (2003), Britt King
The Science Guy (2001), Nick Metz
"Working Out" (2005), Leah Ramsey
Initiation by Fire (2001), Hunter Robinson
"Pathological" (2005), Drew Saad
You Gotta Have Faith (2001), Laura Sadowski
It's Not Just A Job, It's A Life Style (2004), Luke Schroeder
"Seventh Grade Heaven" (2002), Marilyn Simpson
"What Do You Do All Day?" (2002), David Wegner
Work and Vocation Essays
One Big Happy Family (2008), Taylor Acker
The Lawn Boy (2007), Emily Adams
Connections: Inside and Out (2011), Heather Albertson
Answering the Call (2012), Andy Alessio
Working at Woodlake Market (2004), Alison Bahr
The Man Behind the Music (2006), Rachel Carlson
A Profession of the Mind, Soul, and Body (2012), Louise Conces
Career Choice (2006), April Edwards