NWC names Wielenga vice president for advancement

Wielenga, a 1982 Northwestern graduate, first joined the college’s staff as alumni director in 1995. He has been in his current position since 2001.

“Jay has been a very loyal member of our advancement team and has done a great job of developing relationships with our constituents,” says President Greg Christy. “He has served in a number of capacities, providing interim leadership for the office at times and picking up some responsibilities in church relations. He brings a deep knowledge of advancement and a variety of perspectives from the different roles he’s had, which will enable him to be an effective leader of our advancement effort.”

Wielenga says he is looking forward to his new role.

“I love Northwestern College. I love the mission, the students, the experiences they have here and how they take that into their lives after they graduate,” he says. “To help make that mission possible through raising funds and strengthening relationships with alumni and friends of the college is exciting to me.’

Wielenga, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from Northwestern, also graduated from the National Planned Giving Institute. Prior to joining Northwestern’s advancement staff, he worked for the University of Sioux Falls as an admissions counselor and then director of financial aid before spending 10 years as a medical representative for Syntex Laboratories.

A native of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Wielenga is an elder and former deacon at Orange City’s First Reformed Church. He has served on the Tulip Festival Steering Committee and Community Chest Board.

Wielenga replaces John Greller, who is retiring in late June after 17 years as vice president. “John has served the college with distinction; he’s highly thought of by our constituents and will certainly be missed,” says President Christy. “Jay brings to the position similar relational skills, as well as new ideas for how to further the mission of Northwestern.”