Paul Oren, a Valparaiso University alumnus, has returned to his alma mater as a broadcasting professor and local journalist. After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 2002 and pursuing initial career steps, Oren came back to Valpo at age 25 to teach and earn a master’s degree. He is now the owner of The Victory Bell, a subscription-based journalism site dedicated to covering Valpo Athletics, and teaches broadcasting to current students, sharing experiences that began with a memorable national sporting event.
As owner of The Victory Bell, Oren focuses on "good stories" in collegiate athletics, aiming to give a voice to individuals and make readers feel something. He states the site is "a love letter to Valpo, a love letter to storytelling, a love letter to collegiate athletics." This unexpected path to teaching began after three years working at a rock radio station in Wisconsin. Seeking opportunities in sports journalism in Northwest Indiana, a part-time offer was insufficient, prompting him to contact his former academic adviser for guidance. The adviser suggested he return to Valpo, offering a paid master's degree and a teaching position in the broadcasting department, citing Oren's "real-world experience." Oren accepted, motivated partly by the idea of his mother being able to share that he had a master's degree. He returned to Valpo, where he has remained since. He found an unexpected passion for teaching, recognizing similarities between his students and his own experiences at 18 and 22 years old.
Oren's journey immediately after his 2002 graduation was initially marked by frustration in his job search for sports journalism roles. Back home in Milwaukee, he expressed feeling like he "mattered at Valpo" but didn't "matter to anyone right now." His mother's advice to "Go see your friends" led him to meet fellow Valpo alumni at a local bar, which then resulted in a job interview. He spent three years in that position, honing skills that would eventually lead him back to Valparaiso.
During his undergraduate years, Oren immersed himself in campus life. He pursued an individualized major combining communication and theatre, culminating in a broadcast journalism degree. He was active in the theater community, wrote for The Torch student newspaper, broadcasted on the campus radio station WVUR, and served as a resident assistant. He also traveled with the men’s basketball team to locations including Cedar City, Utah; Hawaii; and Arizona, an experience he credited to Valpo. He recalled calling his mother from Utah, telling her, "I made the right choice. I’m getting to see the world because of this place." A significant event during his student tenure was broadcasting for 13.5 hours on September 11, 2001, following the terrorist attacks. He noted that all radio station staff "just showed up that day," highlighting the collective power and responsibility they felt to report the news.
Oren's initial connection to Valparaiso University dates back to March 13, 1998, when he watched Bryce Drew’s iconic buzzer-beating 3-pointer during the NCAA tournament. This play, known as "The Shot," gave 13-seed Valpo an upset victory against 4-seed Ole Miss and gained national attention. Oren states, "If Bryce Drew misses that shot, I never look at Valpo." Knowing of the University’s ties to ESPN and aspiring to be a sports writer, he enrolled at Valpo. He frequently reminds Drew of the impact that moment had on his life, clarifying that while he didn't choose Valpo solely because of the shot, he "discovered Valpo because of it." Oren emphasizes that Valpo was a place where he found himself, experiencing diverse people and learning from them. He attributes the University's value to "the people" who have passed through its doors while maintaining a consistent spirit. He believes Valpo allows individuals to explore various interests rather than confining them to one pursuit, adding, "That’s what I love about Valpo."
