Founders' Rock

Founders' Rock. . , You are standing amidst the grounds of the original campus of Valparaiso University (founded in 1859 as the Valparaiso Male and Female College, one of the first coeducational colleges in the U.S.). This map shows "old campus" as it existed circa 1950. Heritage Hall, identified as building "12. Library" on this map, now directly in front of you, serves as a monument to the pioneer campus. It also serves as a landmark for reflecting on this map and appreciating the vibrant campus of Dear Ol' Valpo. A more complete history of old campus can be found inside Heritage Hall., To your left is Founders' Rock. Identified on the map as "16. Founders' Memorial," the monument (which came from a local farm owned by the father of then student Robert Melvin Barnett, class of 1935) and plaque were prominently placed in the oak grove of old campus. It commemorates the purchase of the university by the Lutheran University Association in 1925., Founders' Rock was brought here as a part of the Heritage Hall reconstruction to restore its historical prominence. For the generations that have passed since its first installation, and the generations that are yet to come, Valparaiso University has and shall always shine as a beacon of Lutheran leadership. Today's campus community lives its Lutheran character as a community of learning constituted by people of many and various beliefs and backgrounds in dialogue with one another in common pursuit of truth.