Paul Oren, a Valparaiso University alumnus and current professor, now owns and operates The Victory Bell, a journalism site covering Valpo Athletics. Oren, who earned his bachelor's degree in 2002 and a master's degree in 2010, has maintained a significant connection to the university since first discovering it through a pivotal sports moment.
His initial awareness of Valparaiso University came on March 13, 1998, when he watched Bryce Drew’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer during the NCAA tournament. This play, known as “The Shot,” led 13-seed Valpo to an upset victory over 4-seed Ole Miss. Oren states that if Drew had missed the shot, he never would have considered Valpo. He credits the play for helping him discover the university, a fact he still shares with Drew.
With aspirations of becoming a sports writer and knowing of the university’s connection with ESPN, Oren enrolled at Valpo. He worked with his academic adviser to create an individualized major combining communication and theatre classes, culminating in a broadcast journalism degree. During his time as a student, Oren actively participated in the theater community, wrote for The Torch student newspaper, broadcast on 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 attributed to his time at Valpo. He recalled calling his mother from Utah, stating he had made the right choice due to the opportunities to see the world.
A notable experience occurred on September 11, 2001, when Oren broadcast for 13.5 hours following the terrorist attacks. He was on air during his morning show when news broke, and colleagues spontaneously arrived at the radio station to assist. Oren remembers the collective power and responsibility felt by the group to report the news.
After earning his bachelor’s degree in 2002, Oren moved back to Milwaukee and faced frustrations while applying for sports journalism jobs. He told his mother he felt he “mattered at Valpo” but not afterward, feeling a loss after graduation. Following his mother's advice to see friends, he met fellow Valpo alumni, which led to a job interview. He spent three years in that role, honing skills that eventually brought him back to Valpo.
After working at a rock radio station in Wisconsin for three years, Oren sought another opportunity in sports journalism. A part-time writing offer in Northwest Indiana prompted him to seek guidance from his former academic adviser. This interaction led to an offer to teach. His adviser suggested he return for a master's degree, which would be paid for, and teach broadcasting, citing Oren's real-world experience. At 25 years old, Oren returned to Valparaiso, motivated partly by the idea of his mother being able to say he had a master’s degree, and has remained since.
Oren developed a love for teaching, recognizing similarities between himself and his students who arrive at 18 and leave at 22 with experience. Today, he balances his roles as a professor and journalist. His journalism work includes The Victory Bell, a subscription-based site providing in-depth coverage of Valpo Athletics. Oren describes The Victory Bell as "a love letter to Valpo, a love letter to storytelling," emphasizing his focus on good stories and giving a voice to the voiceless, regardless of win-loss records. He aims to tell stories about individuals facing adversity, overcoming challenges, achieving success, or making significant plays.
Oren states that Valparaiso allows him to explore his diverse interests without confining him to a single identity. He believes individuals are “colorful” and more than one pursuit in life. He also emphasizes that the people are what make Valpo valuable, carrying on the same spirit despite changes over the years.
