"Like I really enjoy this life thing, so I want to give it a shot, and part of that is accepting who I am."

~ a Welcome Project story ~

Find more at welcomeproject.valpo.edu or subscribe to our weekly podcast by searching for "Welcome Project Valparaiso University" on your podcast app.

Warning: story contains an ethnic slur.

“You see the movies, and they’re going in there gung-ho, but it’s a lot different...you shoot them, but they’re going to shoot back.”

~ a Welcome Project story ~

Find more at welcomeproject.valpo.edu or subscribe to our podcast by searching for "Welcome Project Valparaiso University" on your podcast app.

“It’s hard to argue with the values of a diverse population.”

~ a Welcome Project story ~

Find more at welcomeproject.valpo.edu or subscribe to our podcast for a weekly dose of Welcome Project stories. Search for "Welcome Project Valparaiso University" in your podcast app.

“The Marine Corps was like, ‘We’re gonna fix you… but it’s not gonna be fun.’ I was like, ‘I’m down for that.’”

A grandfather and grandson talk about their time in the Marines.

~ a Welcome Project story ~

Find more at welcomeproject.valpo.edu or subscribe to our weekly podcast by searching for "Welcome Project Valparaiso University" on your podcast app.

Black alumni, born and raised in Gary, talks about positive and negative experiences with white faculty / authority figures in Valparaiso while attending college there.

Produced by Dan Funderburg. Thanks to the Office of Multicultural Programs for organizing a story collection day during the Black Alumni Reunion.

To find more stories, go to welcomeproject.valpo.edu or subscribe to our weekly podcast by searching for "Welcome Project Valparaiso University" on your podcast app.

"Never, ever look the other way."

~ a Welcome Project story ~

Find more at welcomeproject.valpo.edu or subscribe to our weekly podcast by searching for "Welcome Project Valparaiso University" on your podcast app.

"We often don’t think about how the little things build up to create that relationship that you want with people you live around."

~ a Welcome Project story ~

Find more at welcomeproject.valpo.edu or subscribe to our podcast.

This story was produced by Marc Boas from an interview conducted by Emily Neuharth.

"You know, there’s no normal with us. I couldn’t even tell you what normal is."

~ a Welcome Project story ~

Find more at welcomeproject.valpo.edu or subscribe to our weekly podcast.

"I feel safe on campus, but the fact that there were people willing to oppress minorities and make them feel like they shouldn't be here, were moments where I was like, 'Ummm, maybe I shouldn't be here?'"

Produced by Megan Martinez from an interview she conducted for the Welcome Project.

“If you’re not voting, that’s as if you don’t want any voice in your own government.”

~ a Welcome Project story ~

Hear more from our collection at welcomeproject.valpo.edu or subscribe to our podcast.