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

Kaylee HennSioux City, Iowa
Major: English education
How would you describe your experience at Northwestern?
Northwestern provided me with opportunities to grow immensely as a person and a scholar. Experiences shaped my perspective on the world. As an intern in the college’s intercultural office, I was able to understand how God has a vision for building belonging and dignifying difference, and how our diversity reflects the complexity and glory of the Creator. This understanding shaped me into a more gracious person. One of the most influential parts of my time at Northwestern was the deep relationships I built with my professors. They invested in my education and my future, which makes me excited to do the same for my future students.
How have you changed or grown since coming to Northwestern?
I’ve grown in my ability to communicate clearly and effectively, as well as in my ability to build meaningful and lasting relationships. Through working as a peer tutor, writing fellow, ambassador, orientation staff member and discipleship group leader, I discovered that small, personal details and conversations create a solid foundation for dynamic and meaningful relationships.
What’s next?
I will be teaching English language learners at Whittier Middle School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.