2025-2026 Officers:
President: Claire Riva claire.riva@valpo.edu
Claire Riva is a senior meteorology major with minors in mathematics and sociology from Lafayette, Indiana. She became interested in meteorology through her middle school teacher who encouraged her to find a science topic she felt passionate about for her school project. She quickly fell in love with the weather and after watching the local meteorologist she knew she wanted that as her future career. This year, she is an ambassador in admissions, a meteorology department lab aide, member of Chi Epsilon Pi, Chi Omega director of programming, Order of Omega VP of membership, and member of Omicron Delta Kappa. Additionally, she is involved with the EPIC research program, a Christ College student, and served as a 2025 William M. Lapenta Intern. Some of her favorite things to do include going to concerts/movies, hanging out with her family, reading, watching the Detroit Lions football games, and being an avid Swiftie with her twin sister!
Vice President: Lydia Purlee lydia.purlee@valpo.edu
Lydia Purlee is a junior meteorology major with minors in math and geography from Georgetown, IN. She used to be terrified of storms, especially after a large tornado destroyed a school close to her own. But in the fifth grade, she was inspired by Pecos Hank on YouTube and has been pursuing meteorology ever since. Besides AMS, Lydia is the Vice President of the Kappa Delta sorority chapter on campus, a student choreographer for Valparaiso University’s Dance Ensemble, a Valparaiso University Police Department volunteer, a member of the Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team, a member of the Valparaiso University Emergency Management Organization, a member of Chi Epsilon Pi, a TA in the meteorology department, and a Hollings Scholar. Some of her favorite things to do are hanging with friends and family, reading the Bible, riding roller coasters, and dancing.
Treasurer: Hailey Morse hailey.morse@valpo.edu
Hailey Morse is a junior meteorology major with a minor in geography from Corning, NY. She has always loved the rain and has developed this into a passion for extreme precipitation and flooding. Besides AMS, Hailey is the president of B.E.S.T. (a student organization for dance), the internal relations chair of Alpha Psi Omega, the speaker coordinator of Candlelight Evening Prayer at the Chapel, and a choreographer for Dance Ensemble. She is also a member of Hooked on Tonics (Valpo’s acapella group), the Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team, S.O.S. (K-pop dance crew), Chi Epsilon Pi meteorology honors society, and Christ College. Additionally, Hailey is a recipient of the 2025 Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship. Some of her favorite things to do are going to concerts, binge watching Criminal Minds, and spending time with her friends.
Secretary: Angelina Balusek, angelina.balusek@valpo.edu
Angelina Balusek is a junior meteorology major and mathematics and journalism minor from League City, Texas. She discovered her love for weather through experiencing Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Angelina is involved in the VU Storm Intercept Team and is the News and Managing Editor for the campus newspaper “The Torch”. She hopes to work at the National Hurricane Center after she graduates college. In her free time she loves to spend time with her friends, find new coffee shops, and play video games.
Sophomore Social Chair: Madisynne Gura, madisynne.gura@valpo.edu
Faculty Adviser: Craig Clark
Craig is a longtime Meteorology professor with an affinity for snow, music, barbecue potato chips, and Christmas specials. He likes teaching students nerdy weather topics and developing test score rubrics down to the quarter point. Most of all, he enjoys getting to know the Valpo MET student community as they find their path in this special place and beyond. I’m proud of our students and leaders in AMS/NWA; they do all the work!
http://www.valpo.edu/geography-meteorology/about/faculty-and-staff/craig-clark/