2024-2025 Officers:

President: Katarina Dudkowski, katarina.dudkowski@valpo.edu

Katarina Dudkowski is a senior data science major with minors in meteorology as well as logistics and supply chain management from Wentzville, Missouri. She has always enjoyed meteorology but found that a data science major would be more useful to a future career in emergency management. On campus, Kat is on two e-boards: AMS/NWA President and Valparaiso Emergency Management Organization President. She is also an active member of Valparaiso University’s Storm Intercept Team. Last year she was in charge of the logistics for the 20th Annual Great Lakes Meteorology Conference. She also works on campus at the ARC and helps to set up, run, manage, and tear down Valparaiso University sporting events. When she is not on campus she is working as a  Program Analysis Student Intern at the Federal Highway Administration in Michigan and watching Formula 1.

Vice President: Claire Riva, claire.riva@valpo.edu

Claire Riva is a junior meteorology major 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 science 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, a member of Chi Epsilon Pi, Chi Omega philanthropy director, involved with the EPIC research program, and a Christ College student. 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!

Secretary: Angelina Balusek, angelina.balusek@valpo.edu

Angelina Balusek is a sophomore 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 one of the News Editors 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.

Treasurer: Matthew Carter, matthew.carter@valpo.edu

Sophomore Social Chair: Lydia Purlee, lydia.purlee@valpo.edu

Lydia Purlee is a sophomore meteorology major 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 and has been pursuing meteorology ever since. Besides AMS, Lydia is the secretary of the Valpo Emergency Management Organization, a Valparaiso University Police Department volunteer, a member of the Valparaiso University Storm Intercept Team, a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, a lab aid in the meteorology department, and a dancer in Valpo’s Dance Ensemble. Some of her favorite things to do are hanging with friends and family, reading the Bible, riding roller coasters, and dancing.

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/