2026-2027 Officers:
President: Lydia Purlee lydia.purlee@valpo.edu
Lydia Purlee is a senior 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 academic chair 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 member of S.O.S (K-pop dance crew), and a recipient of the Hollings Scholarship. Some of her favorite things to do are spending time with friends and family, reading the Bible, riding roller coasters, and dancing.
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Vice President: Ethan Mason ethan.mason@valpo.edu
Ethan Mason is a Junior Meteorology and Mathematics double major. He grew up fascinated with science and found meteorology somewhat intriguing. He became inspired to learn about meteorology more in 2020 after finding it was a shared interest with a close friend during the CoVid Pandemic and experiencing the August 2020 Midwest Derecho. By Sophomore year of high school, he knew that was what he wanted to study in college. At Valparaiso University, Ethan is Education Officer and Philanthropy Chair of the Kappa Sigma Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Music Fraternity, a member of the Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity, and the meteorology department’s Radiosonde and Instrumentation intern. Ethan enjoys going to concerts, being out in nature, volunteering for local environmental causes, and is also a car enthusiast and nerd for all things automotive.
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 internal relations chair of Alpha Psi Omega, producer 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, learning new kpop dances, and spending time with her friends.
Secretary: Aidan Ilic,
aidan.ilic1@valpo.edu
Aidan Ilic is a junior meteorology major while also pursuing minors in mathematics, geography, and hopefully GIS while coming from Dyer, IN. Weather has always been something on his mind since elementary school, but after seeing a tornado hit his neighborhood in 8th grade, that set his determination to pursue meteorology. Other than being in AMS, Aidan is involved in Valpo University storm intercept team, Valpo University Emergency Management organization, Luce Band, helping out with the admissions office and working there, and being a lab aide for meteorology as well. His favorite things to do are go on daily runs in the early morning hours, build/ collect many, many Legos, be outside a lot, especially doing hikes or gardening, and if time allows, try to get out storm chasing as frequently as possible.
Sophomore Social Chair: Luis Flores, luis.flores@valpo.edu
Luis Flores is a sophomore meteorology major from the northwest side of Chicago, IL. What got him into meteorology was his relationship with his neighbor Veronika, to whom he would relay weather reports. Whenever Luis would see Veronika, he would let her know if she would have to water her garden that evening, or if there was rain in the forecast. In his free time, Luis likes spending time with his family, playing board games, watching baseball, and volunteering at his church’s youth program.
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/