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
Kate StaabLincoln, Nebraska
Major: Nursing
How would you describe your experience at Northwestern?
Intentional and deeply influential. While Northwestern provided me with an excellent education that prepared me for my career, it also challenged how I perceive and live in the world. My faith became the single most important part of my life. It changed how I love those around me, and it gave me a desire to serve others as part of God’s redeeming work in the world. It’s been four years of true community and friendships, growth and a yearning for more growth, great joy, and humble gratitude that I was given the gift of an education and life at NWC.
How have you changed or grown since coming to Northwestern?
As I mentioned, my faith became more real and personal than I imagined possible when I chose Northwestern at age 17. My heart for God's people has expanded. I have grown in my desire to truly serve others and place God’s will above my own. I have learned extensively about the human body and the beautiful art of nursing and caring for others during some of life’s hardest moments. One of my biggest takeaways from Northwestern is a yearning to be uncomfortable. This goes against my human nature, but I’ve been shown that we grow when we are uncomfortable. However, we also have the greatest comforter, the Holy Spirit, to walk beside us.
What’s next?
After graduation I will be starting my job at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I have accepted an RN position in the oncology department. I’m eager for the challenge ahead and feel called to be a light for people during their most difficult days. I will also be getting married in September and am excited to see what this next chapter holds!
