Distinguished alumni
Felipe '12 and Janelle (de Waard '11) Silva
2023 Standout Young Alum Award
Janelle and Felipe are missionaries in the economically depressed Jiu Valley of Romania, where they opened a rock-climbing gym and started an education program to reach at-risk children and teens. They also planted a church that—along with the gym and education program—is part of their ministry, known as The Anchor Jiu Valley. Janelle graduated from Northwestern with a degree in social work and was involved in campus ministry while at NWC. Felipe, a native of Brazil and religion major graduate, was the 2017 recipient of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities' Young Alumni Award.