Department Resources

Departmental Resources for CIS Students

Valparaiso’s CIS Department provides valuable resources to support student success—from scholarships and academic advising to career prep and graduate guidance.

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Recognition for CIS Students

Louis A. Foster Scholarship

Louis Foster joined the faculty of Valparaiso University in the spring of 1961. Prior to this, he served as a chaplain in the United States Navy. From 1965 until 1977, he served in a variety of administrative posts, including dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, acting vice president for academic affairs, coordinator of curriculum revision, and director of institutional research. The University regarded him as a gifted administrator.

Professor Foster was a faculty member whose talents as a teacher of mathematics and computer science were of the highest magnitude. In the 1980s, he brought significant direction to the fledgling computer science program. His research in computer science led to a collaboration that took him to Exeter University in England for an extended period of time.

After his retirement, the department was pleased to announce the Louis A. Foster Scholarship for outstanding computer science majors, in recognition of his many contributions to the department.

Graeme Roberts & Professor James Caristi

Louis A. Foster Recipients

2004–05 Whitney Tyson
2023-24 Mason Tulacz, Aubrey Kranz
2022-23 Spencer Gannon
2021-22 Nathan Harmon, Ethan Hawk
2020-21 Erik Johnson
2019-20 Eric Yager
2018-19 Carly Armor
2017–18 Kimberly Orr
2016–17 Dylan Snyder
2015–16 Chinedu Emeka
2014–15 Stephen Mezzacapo
2013–14 Graeme Roberts
2012–13 not awarded
2011–12 Kirk Baly
2010–11 Brian Havlisch
2009–10 Kelly Roth
2008–09 Kristopher Willmert
2007–08 Frederick Spreen
2006–07 Matthew Jungwirth
2005–06 Matthew R. Schaefer

CIS commit Award

In computing, various tools are used to help keep a development team all working from the same set of files and information. Many of those tools use the word “commit” as a command or instruction. Executing that command places work in a shared area for others to call upon and helps complete the common goals. This award takes its name from that command. For a working computing professional, to run it is an indication that “I’m done; this is good. I’m ready for this work to be seen — and employed by others.”

Any student who has taken courses from the department is eligible; recipients of this award have demonstrated both academic ability and an ongoing commitment to professional and technical excellence.

2014–15 John Stewart, Areej Alhussein
2023-24 Matthew Dembny, Christian Garcia
2022-23 Ethan Hawk, Nathan Harmon
2021-22 Zack Lee, Eric Yager
2020-21 Preston Petrie, Lin Asplin
2019-20 Juan Arellano Marquez, Cody Packer
2018-19 Samuel Iselin, Kimberly Orr
2017–18 Charles Morris, Dylan Snyder
2016–17 Isaiah Sorvaag
2015–16 Grant Garr, Justin Szaday

VU Scholarships

In addition to the generous financial aid awards, Valpo offers to families with demonstrated financial need, the University also rewards students demonstrating exceptional high-school achievement with a variety of academic scholarships and merit awards. Students may also qualify for additional aid from Federal and State of Indiana grant programs.

Read more about scholarships, grants, and aid

Valpo Financial Aid website

Computing & Information Sciences Department

Graduate Academic Advising

CIS Graduate Academic Advising

The Computing and Information Technology Department has a dedicated Professional Advisor and Capstone Coordinator for students in the MS in IT programs, the online IT Certificate programs, and the Early Entry to MS in IT.

Kimberly Jana Tomkiewicz has been with the CIS Department since 2014 and has advised over 800 MSIT students during her tenure. She may be reached at .

Quick Links for New and Current Students

IMPORTANT NOTE: Staff and faculty at Valparaiso University are only authorized to discuss admission status and I-20 details with the actual applicant or authorized agent. These details will not be given to any inquiring friends, family, or unauthorized agents.