William B. Wehrenberg ’73, Ph.D., and Jane Kurhajec ’73 Wehrenberg: A Legacy of Faith, Family, and Forward Thinking

William B. Wehrenberg ‘73, Ph.D, and Jane Kurhajec ‘73 Wehrenberg

Valparaiso University is in the bones of the Wehrenberg family. Their connection to the University dates all the way back to 1925 — the year Valpo was acquired by the Lutheran University Association. Bill Weherenberg’s great-grandfather made the largest individual pledge toward the purchase of the University, but he died before he could fulfill it. Weherenberg’s grandfather fulfilled the pledge and served on the Board of Directors until 1951. Not surprisingly, his father attended Valpo as a student, thus beginning a family legacy. This legacy continued when Bill enrolled in the late ’60s, eventually meeting his wife Jane on the beautiful Northwest Indiana campus and marrying in the historic Chapel of the Resurrection just before graduation in 1973. The couple has now been married for 52 years.

Inspired by all that Valpo has given to them, the Wehrenbergs have committed to a planned gift to the University in hopes of giving back to the next generation of Valpo students and future alumni. The couple says that the meaningful relationships they formed while in college, including lifelong friendships and their cherished bond with each other, inspired them to give back in a special way.

“When we first graduated from college, we weren’t making much money — but we still wanted to give something,” Jane says. “We became members of what was then called the ‘Century Club,’ where you would give $100 a year. As time went on and we could afford to give more, we did. Bill also served on the alumni board and the Board of Directors for many years. We just feel that we want to give back and help others at a place that meant so much to us. Valpo is our number one charity of choice.”

Leaving a legacy at Valpo is important to the Wehrenbergs, which is why they have chosen to support the University's academic aspects specifically through the Wehrenberg Endowed Scholarship and the Jane K. and William B. Wehrenberg Endowed Chemistry Fund. Although they are supporting a number of departments across the University, Bill and Jane recognize and encourage making unrestricted gifts because these gifts enable Valpo’s leadership to act quickly and swiftly in times of need.

The Wehrenbergs hope that those impacted by their planned giving will also be encouraged to give back in some way. “We hope that the scholarship assistance will open doors for future students and that they will recognize the need to position themselves to provide the same opportunities for the next generation,” Bill says. “We want our gift to live on in perpetuity.”

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