Class of 2020
Members of the Class of 2020 are ready to take Northwestern’s mission of courageous and faithful participation in God’s redeeming work into the world. We asked some of our standout students about their Raider Nation experience—what they learned, what they loved about it, and how they hope to lead lives of significance after college.
Adebola Adeyemo
Lagos, Nigeria
Faith Anderson
Bellflower, California
Riley Bennett
Valley Springs, South Dakota
Natalie Blackman
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Alexa Boursiquot
Jacmel, Haiti
Heather Bruno
Ankeny, Iowa
Stedmon Bryant
Corona, California
Cassidy Bultena
Webster City, Iowa
Geena Colbert
Spencer, Iowa
Katrina Engebretson
Le Mars, Iowa
Koriene Gallagher
Sioux Center, Iowa
Melissa Goodenbour
Bettendorf, Iowa
Stefanie Gross
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Breanna Harthoorn
Norfolk, Nebraska
Corrie Hayes
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Benjamin Heinen
Des Moines, Iowa
Kaylee Henn
Sioux City, Iowa
Katie Herther
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sophia Holt
Omaha, Nebraska
Tyler Horkey
Spencer, Iowa
Lizzy Johnston
Story City, Iowa
Karmen Keltner
Anamosa, Iowa
Anselmo Kim
New Malden, United Kingdom
Bradley Laackman
Doon, Iowa
Carol Li
Diamond Bar, California
Alexander Lowry
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
Sonya Masters
Mapleton, Iowa
Colin McDowell
Poulsbo, Washington
Nicole Metcalf
Moville, Iowa
Sarah Meyer
Otley, Iowa
Kari Mueller
Spirit Lake, Iowa
Tearrany Nelson
Worthington, Minnesota
Ann Pater
Pipestone, Minnesota
Gina Paulsen
Paullina, Iowa
Allyson Pettit
Andover, Minnesota
Suresh Portillo
Vallejo, California
Sean Powell
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Julie Renfro
Mediapolis, Iowa
Grant Rohrer
Slayton, Minnesota
Trevor Rozeboom
Rock Rapids, Iowa
Lucas Sander
Newton, Iowa
Breana Schuiteman
Orange City, Iowa
Marcie Sienknecht
Gladbrook, Iowa
Kate Staab
Lincoln, Nebraska
Jori Steenhoek
Grundy Center, Iowa
MaKayla Tjernagel
Spain
Devin Vander Werff
Urbandale, Iowa
Emma Van Drie
Minooka, Illinois
Mitchell Van Kalsbeek
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Dana Van Ostrand
Lincoln, Nebraska
Elison Wagner
Columbus, Nebraska
Graham Zomermaand
Sioux Center, Iowa
Alexander LowryDrexel Hill, Pennsylvania
Major: Computer science
How would you describe your experience at Northwestern?
My time was centered on building relationships and exploring a wide variety of disciplines. My computer science studies gave me many skills; I’ve learned to appreciate the study of history and literature; and I’ve gained management and presentation skills through theatre. I participated in dozens of events and projects outside of my classes. I wrote three staged plays, directed two one-act plays and managed three. The skills I learned and experience I gained are invaluable. I also developed relationships with many professors, enjoying many conversations related and unrelated to coursework.
How have you changed or grown since coming to Northwestern?
I developed a tremendous amount of confidence. Through presentations, theatre productions and performing with the Black V, I’ve become confident talking in front of people I don’t know well. I’ve also become much more of a host, and moved from having a usually-isolated room in the dorms to an open apartment where people frequently gathered or studied. I’ve also explored my relationship with God.
What’s next?
I hope to secure a software developer position. I’m looking to move to a larger city so I can continue participating in the arts, whether that be watching theatre or performing improv comedy. I’m excited for whatever comes next!
