The Classic: 2025-26

the

Classic

2025–26

THE NOR THWE S TERN COLLEGE MAG A ZINE

ON THE MOVE

First-generation students empowered

by NWC Also

New Northwestern History Book Faces Behind the Buildings An Inspiring Workspace

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GEOFF JOHNSON

Recognized as a Best Christian Workplace for the third year in a row, Northwestern earned its highest score ever on the 2025 survey.

Classic People Editor Duane Beeson 712-707-7116

beeson@nwciowa.edu

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Staff Writers Duane Beeson

Designers

40 FIRST IN THE FAMILY

Roy Trevino

John Vander Stelt ’83

Meet four alumni who were first-generation college students and are now pursuing God’s redeeming work in the world.

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Send correspondence or address changes to the Classic, Northwestern College, 101 7th Street SW, Orange City, IA 51041 or classic@nwciowa.edu.

Opinions expressed in the Classic do not necessarily reflect the official position of Northwestern College.

On the Cover: Approximately 13% of Northwestern’s student body are the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. These students find support and affirmation at NWC—like Dr. Jose Muro ’17, shown the day of his graduation from the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

PHOTO BY FRANCO JIN

A new book tells the story of Northwestern within the context of regional and American history.

Learn about several campus buildings and the people for whom they are named.

Emelie (Swonger ’19) Laackmann

View the magazine online at nwciowa.edu/classic.

30 PURSUING THE LIGHT

32 FACES BEHIND THE BUILDINGS

Danica Bang ’21

The Classic is published for alumni and friends of Northwestern College. So named because it served what was then known as the Northwestern Classical Academy, the Classic was the school’s first student newspaper, begun in 1891. It has been an alumni publication since 1930.

Contents

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46 AN INSPIRING WORKSPACE

Known as a place where students are always welcome, Dr. Kali Jo Wacker’s office is a tribute to creativity and the stories and people she loves.

DEPARTMENTS

2 Zwemer View 3 Around the Green 6 Campus Life 9 Face Value 25 Red Zone 28 1,000 Words 48 Class Notes 56 Classic Thoughts

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Zwemer View The Legacy of Standout Leaders

S LEM MAURER

oon after arriving at Northwestern 18 years ago, I read From Strength to Strength, a history of NWC from 1882 to 1982 by former academic dean Gerald De Jong ’48.

This account was helpful to me as someone new to the college. However, it ended just as Northwestern College was coming into its own as a strong four-year Christian liberal arts college. I dreamed of a fuller history that would delve deeper into the people and events that make this institution stand out.

In 2017, I asked Dr. Doug Anderson, recently retired professor of history, if he would write a new, more comprehensive history of Northwestern. After years of meticulous research, he produced a chronicle not only of stories and details but also of insight. I commend Pursuing the Light: A History of Northwestern 1882–2024 to anyone interested in or already devoted to Northwestern College.

Reading it has reminded me of God’s faithfulness to Northwestern through the generations. Many people played critical roles in creating a strong foundation for the future of the college, but two stand out: President Jacob Heemstra and the Rev. Dr. Henry Colenbrander.

Jacob Heemstra was our first and longest-serving president to date, serving from 1928 to 1951. He is widely credited with keeping Northwestern going during the challenging days of the Great Depression and World War II. It is not an overstatement to say Northwestern might not exist today if not for the dedication and steady leadership of Jacob and his wife, Hannah. We are indebted to them for their sacrificial service.

Many were helpful to Heemstra during his time as president but perhaps none more so than Colenbrander. He served 35 years as pastor of Orange City’s First Reformed Church and as Northwestern’s board president from 1926 to 1960, the entirety of Jacob Heemstra’s presidency.

With the demolition of Heemstra Hall 15 years ago and the recent demolition of Colenbrander Hall, many people asked how we could appropriately recognize the legacies of the Heemstras and Colenbranders. Thanks to the generosity of Ray Heemstra ’45, son of Jacob and Hannah, we were able to honor both at Homecoming in October. Ray’s gift allowed us to create an endowed fund for the operations and upkeep of North Suites and give it a more fitting name, the Jacob and Hannah Heemstra Suites. The remainder of Ray’s gift provided funding to create the Colenbrander Plaza in the location where Coly stood from 1960 to 2025.

As Pursuing the Light details, there are many heroes of faith God has used throughout the history of Northwestern College, but few more influential than President Jacob and Hannah Heemstra or the Rev. Dr. Henry Colenbrander. We are pleased and honored to preserve their legacies in such a tangible way and share their stories of faithfulness with future generations of Raiders.

Greg Christy President X.com/NWC_PGC

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Around the Green #RaidersStandOut #1

BEST

100%

449

#1

DORMS IN IOWA

IN-CLASS EMPLOYER

FIRST-TIME PASS RATE

DEGREES AWARDED

SAFEST CAMPUS IN IOWA

Rated by Niche.com

Named by Gallagher Benefits Services for enhanced employee well-being

Recorded by 2025 nursing grads on the NCLEX-RN board exam

New record set at May 2025 commencement

Rated by Niche.com

GEOFF JOHNSON

Enrollment Goals Shattered

Northwestern’s fall enrollment of 1,665 was the fourth largest in school history.

For the second consecutive year, Northwestern exceeded its goals for new student recruitment by more than 10%. A total of 354 new students enrolled in fall 2025, including 37 transfers, the highest number in nine years.

Northwestern’s total fall enrollment was 1,665, the fourth largest in school history. The numbers included 471 graduate students, also the fourth largest. International students made up 5.5% of Northwestern’s traditional undergraduates, an 11-year high.

“We’re grateful to welcome another large freshman class,” says Tamara Fynaardt, vice president for enrollment and marketing. “Especially in the current higher education environment of program cuts, contracting budgets and even failing institutions, it’s a testimony to God’s faithfulness that Northwestern continues to flourish on multiple fronts.”

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AROUND THE GREEN

AMPERE DESIGN

Colenbrander Plaza, a new gathering space just west of De Valois Stadium, will be completed this spring.

A New Colenbrander The last bricks of Colenbrander Hall were barely in the rearview mirror when Northwestern set its sights on what comes next: a frontporch welcome that pulls people together and points them toward the roar of De Valois Stadium.

That vision is becoming Colenbrander Plaza, an outdoor gathering space rising on the footprint where Colenbrander Hall stood from 1960 to 2024. Designed by Ampere Design of Kansas City, the plaza is meant to be both destination and pathway: a year-round place to linger, connect and celebrate, while also funneling fans, students and visitors toward the stadium. Echoing signature campus architecture,

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brick pillars will frame the space, complemented by seat walls and a large athletic logo that anchors the plaza visually.

The project is also rooted in memory. A commemorative plaque honoring the Rev. Henry Colenbrander—pastor of First Reformed Church in Orange City and chair of Northwestern’s board from 1926 to 1960—will be placed on the back of the logo, ensuring his legacy remains part of the campus story.

The project is funded by a generous gift from Ray Heemstra ’45, son of the college’s first president, Jacob Heemstra, with whom Colenbrander worked closely.

New Corner, New Chapter Northwestern has some new options for future campus expansion at the corner of Highway 10 and K-64, following property acquisitions finalized this fall.

The college acquired the Mulder Auto Tire and Lube property, as well as the nearby Subway building and recently closed Hardee’s restaurant. The purchases position NWC for future growth with a prominent, campus-adjacent footprint.

The acquisitions reflect priorities outlined in Northwestern’s 2023–24 campus master plan, which identified strategic land purchases as key to long-term expansion.

Board leaders are considering the corner as a potential site for a new academic building included in the college’s 10year facilities plan.

AROUND THE GREEN

A familiar residence hall now carries a name that reaches back to one of Northwestern’s earliest—and most defining—chapters.

Northwestern College’s North Suites has officially been renamed the Jacob and Hannah Heemstra Suites, honoring the college’s first president and his wife—two leaders whose steady faith and perseverance helped shape Northwestern’s future. The announcement was made during a ceremony on Oct. 2, held as part of a board of trustees meeting.

Built in 2011 and home to about 68 men, the suite-style residence hall is now a daily reminder of a legacy that endured through some of the nation’s hardest years. The Rev. Jacob Heemstra, who served as Northwestern’s president from 1928 to 1951, is widely recognized as a key figure in guiding the college through the Great Depression and World War II. Under his leadership, enrollment grew and the campus expanded—even as Reformed Church in America boards twice recommended closing the college. Heemstra and the trustees ultimately secured support to grow Northwestern into a four-year institution.

This renaming was made possible through a $1 million gift from Ray Heemstra ’45, the last living child of Jacob and Hannah. His generosity also funded Colenbrander Plaza, a new outdoor gathering space on the former site of Colenbrander Hall.

AARON ECKMANN

A Fresh Name, a Timeless Legacy

Ray Heemstra poses for a photo with students near the newly renamed Heemstra Suites.

While Jacob’s leadership was instrumental, Hannah’s influence was equally lasting. She founded and led the Women’s Auxiliary, mobilizing support through fundraising and practical service—cleaning, sewing and cooking to meet the needs of the college community.

“The Heemstras were legendary leaders, and we are pleased to preserve their legacies and that of Rev. Colenbrander in these tangible ways,” says President Greg Christy.

The Heemstras were previously recognized by Heemstra Hall, a dorm that was built in 1950 and razed in 2010.

MOMENTS WORTH SHARING Follow along to see the everyday moments that make #RaidersStandOut Northwestern College, Iowa @nwciowa

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Campus Life On Call While many Northwestern students spend their evenings studying or cheering on Raider athletic teams, some keep a pager close at hand, knowing that any moment could demand a shift from student to first responder.

For Luke Fisher, a junior biology–health professions major, being an EMT means continuing life as usual until the call comes. When the pager sounds, he has only minutes to reach the hospital and prepare to respond—often without knowing what awaits him. “Most shifts, I get lucky and do not get called in at all,” Fisher says. “But I am always ready to go.”

Serving as an EMT has reinforced Fisher’s desire to pursue a career in medicine. The experience provides hands-on patient care and a front-row view of teamwork in high-pressure situations, helping him better understand the responsibilities and realities of medical care.

That same sense of preparation shapes the experience of junior Parker Van Peursem, a criminal justice major who plans to pursue law enforcement. After completing EMT training in high school, Van Peursem has continued serving throughout college, where he has learned how early response, clear communication and calm decision-making can impact the outcome of a situation.

Balancing emergency service with academic life requires flexibility and discipline. EMTs may spend long stretches waiting or be called away with little notice, sometimes in the middle of class. Students learn to plan their schedules carefully, complete coursework early, and remain mentally prepared to move quickly from lectures and assignments to emergency response.

Beyond technical training, the role emphasizes presence and compassion. EMTs are often among the first people to arrive during moments of crisis, offering calm reassurance and care when it is needed most.

“There is a good chance I am going to see someone on the worst day of their life,” Van Peursem says.

“All I need to do is be a light that is able to make that terrible day just a little better.”

AARON ECKMANN

Luke Fisher, a Northwestern College student and emergency medical technician, serves with Orange City Area Health System while balancing coursework and on-call responsibilities.

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SUBMITTED PHOTO

by Danica Bang ’21

Agape Anthem A night of worship on Northwestern’s campus is still echoing today through Agape, a live album released last spring by the college’s worship team. Recorded with students gathered in worship, the project captures a community singing, praying and reflecting together.

“We spent a lot of time as worship leaders praying that this campus would experience the love of God in a new and deeper way,” says Josh Kuipers ’09, Northwestern’s director of worship. That self-sacrificial love, known as “agape” in Greek, shaped the evening’s theme and song selection.

Student worship leader Samantha Vermeer ’25 initiated and helped guide the recording, and an open invitation drew fellow students to participate. Current students and recent graduates handled fi lming and editing, while Kuipers mixed the audio, making the album a true campus collaboration.

Released through Wings Music Group, a Christian music distribution service, Agape features eight songs, including “How He Loves,” “Great Are You Lord” and “All Hail King Jesus,” as well as readings from Psalm 103 and John 12. The album is now available on all major streaming platforms.

AROUND THE GREEN

Program Evaluator

AARON ECKMANN

Dr. Young-Ji Byon, founding director of Northwestern’s engineering program, has been approved as an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) program evaluator—a prestigious role that places him on the front lines of quality assurance in engineering education. He served as an official ABET evaluator during an accreditation visit to a large Midwestern university’s civil engineering program this fall.

Byon completed ABET’s rigorous training pipeline last spring, culminating in an intensive simulated visit at the organization’s headquarters in Baltimore. He was formally approved shortly afterward.

Byon previously guided the successful ABET accreditation process for the civil engineering programs at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi. He brought teaching, administration and research experience across three continents when he joined Northwestern’s faculty in 2023.

“This will give me another perspective on accreditation and guide me as I prepare Northwestern’s program for the ABET accreditation process following graduation of the first cohort in 2028,” he says.

Dr. Young-Ji Byon, professor of engineering, has been selected to serve as a program evaluator for the premier global accrediting organization for engineering and STEM programs.

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Perfect PA Pass Rate

Northwestern’s 2025 physician assistant graduates earned a 100% firsttime pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. All 29 students who completed the program and graduated in August passed the national boards on their first attempt, marking the third consecutive year Northwestern has outperformed the national average.

“Consistently achieving results like this is an incredible accomplishment for our students and faculty,” says Jill Van Otterloo, program director. “It reflects the strength of our curriculum, the dedication of our students and the individualized support our faculty provide throughout the program.”

Van Otterloo credits the program’s success to its system-based modular curriculum and the close mentorship students receive. Students tackle a rigorous 27-month course of study that integrates faith and learning while receiving personalized guidance from instructors invested in their growth.

Graduates noted they felt academically prepared, well-mentored and part of a close-knit community.

Members of the 2025 class are now serving patients across the country in areas including family medicine, emergency care, surgery specialties, orthopedics, oncology, cardiothoracic care and dermatology.

AARON ECKMANN

PA program director Jill Van Otterloo assists Garret Hill (left) and Ian Wiersma ’22 (center) in a lab session.

Northwestern’s 2025 PA graduates earned a 100% first-time pass rate on their national exams.

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AROUND THE GREEN

Face Value This fall, a new outdoor gathering space was added to campus between Stegenga Hall and Heemstra Suites. Lux Circle is a threetiered concrete structure that seats up to 80 students and provides a welcoming place for prayer, worship and reflection. The space features a central fire pit, bistro lighting, and electrical access for music and lighting, creating a versatile environment for campus use.

Lux Circle was made possible through a generous gift from the late Marlene (Van Meeteren ’57) Goesch, given in honor of her graduating class. Her vision was to create a space that fosters worship and connection within the Northwestern community.

After receiving more than 120 studentsubmitted name suggestions, the space was officially named Lux Circle——drawn from Northwestern’s motto, Deus est Lux (God is Light)——reflecting both the light of Christ and the spirit of community the space is designed to cultivate.

Ideas for Impact Senior Ashlyn (Zomermaand) Jensen achieved a hat trick at Northwestern’s Impact Competition in December. The management and biblical + theological studies major from Inwood, Iowa, won all three categories in the “Shark Tank”-style competition for entrepreneurial students.

Jensen pocketed $2,100 for winning the for-profit, nonprofit and NWC-specific categories.

She proposed a subscription-based mobile car wash and detailing business; a program that would teach low-income families in Sioux County to cook nutritious, affordable meals; and a four-day academic week at NWC to reduce burnout, improve mental health, and create more time for internships, work, rest and spiritual growth.

The competition, in its fifth year, is sponsored by Northwestern’s Center for Innovation & Leadership.

Tanya Vaas Making Campus Feel Like Home You’ve served in several education- and ministry-related roles. What led you to campus ministry work?

After working with young kids for many years, I was ready to work outside the home with adults and wanted to be more active in our community. With that, I desired to work in a place where I could share my love for the Lord and continue to be a lifelong learner.

What have you learned from working with firstgeneration college students?

Walking alongside first-generation students is a gift. I meet with them one-on-one to help students develop skills such as listening, goal setting, accountability and integrity. Rooted in faith and Scripture, I get to help students find purpose, overcome obstacles and build healthy patterns. They have taught me what resilience looks like, and when they see how small changes can make a big difference, they are eager to keep going.

What does “ministry” look like in your role?

I want all students to know they are seen, loved and that God has a purpose for them. I desire to get to know students and their stories.

My ministry looks like having hard conversations to help students survive their first year and then helping them identify their passions and gifts. I encourage them and challenge them to step into roles on campus where they can exercise those gifts and be equipped for what’s next.

I would much rather have them try something new and fail here so we can pick them back up, support them and try again differently.

What brings you the most joy in your role?

Watching students grow up right in front of my eyes. When I am connected with students every day during the school year for four years, I see and learn a lot about them. My heart is fi lled with joy knowing they are ready for the next chapter after graduation, and that God

AARON ECKMANN

Lux Circle

Northwestern’s first-generation Raiders coordinator and campus ministry administrative assistant, Tanya Vaas, supports campus ministry operations and serves as receptionist and building manager for the Ramaker Center.

A graduate of Morningside University, Tanya brings experience in education and ministry to her work and is known for creating a warm, welcoming space for students—especially firstgeneration Raiders—as they navigate college life and discover their next steps.

gave me the opportunity to witness a small part of their journey at NWC. How would you describe Northwestern’s campus ministry culture?

Our department reminds me of the living room in my home where we all gather to converse, play cards, study for classes, take a nap or just have a safe place to be. It’s been a beautiful sight over the last 10 years to see all the students who have spent their days in our corner!

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Anita Cirulis, associate director of marketing and communications, was one of Northwestern’s primary storytellers for 22 years until her retirement last June.

After more than 23 years at NWC, Mary Beltman, database management coordinator in the advancement office, retired this winter.

Caring Communicator

Serving Behind the Scenes

In her 44-year career as a marketing and communications professional, Anita Cirulis brought the stories of four Christian higher education institutions to life—including Northwestern College.

Cirulis retired last June after 22 years as Northwestern’s associate director of marketing and communications. Her role included writing and editing stories for the Classic magazine, covering milestones like the hiring of President Greg Christy, and coordinating publications for events such as commencement, Homecoming and the dedications of numerous campus buildings.

But her service extended beyond storytelling to education—seeking to learn new things herself and share that knowledge with others. Her stories in the Classic explored topics like mental health, climate change, immigration and racial reconciliation.

“Anita's commitment to Christian higher education stemmed from a broader commitment to lifelong learning—to be a learner herself and to encourage learning in others,” says Tamara Fynaardt, vice president for enrollment and marketing.

Her passion for understanding people and cultures proved essential to the Diversity Resource Committee, which helped shape conversations around Northwestern’s Vision for Diversity.

“Anita had a way of seeing from the perspective of those on the margins,” says former Director of Intercultural Development Martha (Perez ’09) Draayer. “She boldly spoke her mind and asked insightful questions.”

Colleagues also recall Cirulis’ compassionate heart and the handwritten cards she sent to faculty and staff during seasons of both joy and sorrow.

“Anita made sure we knew we were valued beyond just our work,” says Allison Delperdang, associate director of brand and digital marketing.

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One of Northwestern’s highlights each fall is the Scholarship Luncheon, where donors get to meet students who have benefited from their generosity.

Mary Beltman has been a key person in the background, making sure those valuable connections are made.

From assigning scholarships to recipients in the summer, inviting students and their donors to the luncheon, following up with students who haven’t responded, and developing the seating chart that puts them together, Beltman has been the event’s mastermind. “The most fulfilling thing has been to see the Scholarship Luncheon come together,” she says.

Beltman, Northwestern’s database management coordinator, also was responsible for updating campus records when alumni, friends and donors moved, married, grew their families or died. The research skills she honed as a legal assistant at a local law firm, and her keen knowledge of area residents and NWC constituents, have helped her do her job with excellence.

She retired this winter after more than 23 years in the advancement office.

“She is diligent, dedicated and selfless, and her deep knowledge of our donors is unmatched,” says Jackie Davis, vice president for advancement.

Beltman, who has supervised work-study students in the advancement office, says she has loved getting to know students and contributing to the college’s mission. “It’s been a great place to work. I’ve enjoyed the team I’ve worked with; everybody’s willing to pitch in, and they’re genuinely concerned about you as a person.”

In retirement, Beltman plans to expand her hobbies of gardening and solving puzzles. Kind of like putting the pieces together for the Scholarship Luncheon.

AROUND THE GREEN

AARON ECKMANN

Five retire from NWC

AARON ECKMANN

ERA

Jim Burmakow’s care of the Bultman Center was legendary. He retired in May after 41 years of service.

Lori Burmakow retired as senior accountant in August after 12 years on staff.

Shining Floors, Shaping Lives

In the Business of Caring

Jim Burmakow faithfully served Northwestern College for 41 years— most of them as lead custodian of the Bultman Center. Known for his steady presence, hard work and care for students, Burmakow retired in May. “I’ve always told my student workers: Take pride in your work and do it right the first time,” he says. “Even a window has corners—make sure you clean the corners.” That attention to detail kept the Bultman Center looking newer than its years and earned him the college’s Staff Inspirational Service Award in 2017.

But for Burmakow, it was always about more than clean floors and shiny chrome. “The kids keep you young,” he says. “You build friendships that last a lifetime. I always tried to treat my workers like my own kids.”

Former head men’s basketball coach Kris Korver ’92 calls the Bultman “Jim’s family farm,” cared for with vision and extra TLC. “Jim made this space more than just a gym,” Korver says. “It became his ministry. Many lives were impacted through his intentionality, hospitality and servant leadership.”

Facilities director Travis Rozeboom adds, “Jim inspired students to excel and created an environment where everyone felt at home.”

As he stepped into retirement, Burmakow reflected with characteristic humility. “I’ve always liked being in the background—just doing my job,” he says.

Yet for generations of Raiders, his quiet faithfulness has been unforgettable. The Bultman Center shone because of his work, but his true legacy is found in the countless students and colleagues who carry his example of dedication and care with them.

Lori Burmakow switched from doing accounting work for an agricultural company to working in Northwestern’s business office in part because her husband, Jim, was employed by NWC. Once on staff, however, she quickly joined her husband in investing in students’ lives.

“We fed the entire men’s basketball team—you realize how tall they are when they’re in your house—and another time had international students at our table from five different countries,” she recalls. “Our family made some really good friendships along the way, and we’ve been invited to numerous weddings in the process.”

For 12 years, until her retirement as the college’s senior accountant in August, Burmakow managed daily financial transactions for Northwestern. She helped prepare Northwestern for its annual audit and completed numerous required surveys and informational tax returns for the business office. She also met with every student prior to their graduation or departure from NWC to review their college loans and repayment schedules.

“I know our students really appreciated the way Lori helped them navigate finances and life lessons,” says Janette Reuter, Northwestern’s comptroller. “Sometimes they simply needed a ‘mom’ to help them out. Lori was always willing to sit down and talk with them and offer good advice.

She sincerely cared about how students were doing in their classes and what they had planned for their future.”

Two of those students were Lori and Jim’s own daughters—Sara ’13, ’16 and Megan ’17, ’25—who earned not only their bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern, but master’s degrees as well.

Continued on page 12

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Summer in the Lab

AARON ECKMANN

Continued from page 11

Dane Schoenborn spent much of last summer chasing discoveries at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston— one microscope slide at a time.

A senior biology–health professions major, Schoenborn joined a research team studying the RAS signaling pathway, a key regulator of development.

Using a tiny microscopic worm, he investigated how oocytes (egg cells) maintain quality,

exploring the chromosomal dynamics that keep development on track.

“I enjoyed the excitement of uncovering the unknown,” says Schoenborn, an NAIA ScholarAthlete linebacker for the Red Raiders. The work could help shape future strategies for reproductive health and sharpen his goal of becoming a cancer researcher.

Ann Vander Kooi Minnick ’88 retired in May after 19 years as associate professor of communications and program director for the PR major.

When Ann Vander Kooi Minnick graduated from Northwestern in 1988, she never imagined returning as a professor. But the opportunity to help build a new public relations (PR) major excited her, and after 19 years, she left the program in a strong position.

Minnick retired in May as associate professor of communications and program director of Northwestern’s PR major. In addition to teaching courses in communications and PR, she advised students during semester-long practicums with area businesses and nonprofits. As part of their practicum experience, students helped clients design websites, develop communications campaigns, create social media content, and plan events.

“It’s beneficial [for students] to have real-world practice under their belts, as well as pieces for a professional portfolio,” says Minnick. “Practicums also instill the value of volunteering for nonprofits that often can’t afford PR counsel.”

Minnick’s mentorship taught students the values of kindness and encouragement.

“The grace and insight Professor Minnick brought to every class created a space where we all could thrive,” writes Debola Adeyemo ’20, who now works as a communications strategist in Lagos, Nigeria.

Connor Sams ’18 graduated with a PR major but later pursued work as a Los Angeles firefighter and paramedic. He says Minnick’s support never wavered: “When I told Professor Minnick where I felt called, there was a smile, a kind heart, and never-ending support.”

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SUBMITTED PHOTO

PR Mentor

Dane Schoenborn participated in MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Summer Program in Cancer Research, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute.

AROUND THE GREEN

GIVING TO NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE IN 2024−25 CAPITAL: ENDOWMENT: RESTRICTED: UNRESTRICTED: TOTAL

$197,619

$4.5 MILLION $2.0 MILLION $1.9 MILLION $1.4 MILLION

$9.8 MILLION

790

Gifts from individual churches

Number of donors who gave $1,000 or more in any giving category

$1,200

344

Total number of annual and endowed scholarships at NWC

Amount per student underwritten by unrestricted gifts

498

$83 million

Value of Northwestern’s endowment as of June 30, 2025

Number of donors who have given 20+ consecutive years

449

Number of donors who gave $1,000 or more to the Northwestern Fund as members of the Tower Society

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In High Demand Northwestern’s 2025 bachelor’s degree graduates achieved a remarkable 100% placement rate with 83.2% employed, 16.4% in grad school, and 0.4% intentionally engaged in service opportunities within six months of graduation.

“Northwestern graduates continue to enter the world with clarity of purpose and confidence in their calling,” says Dr. Elizabeth Pitts, director of the Compass Center for Career & Calling. “Our 2025 alumni point to their academic and

co-curricular experiences as shaping both their professional readiness and their understanding of vocation as a faithful response to God in every role of life.”

More than 155 companies and organizations hired members of the class of 2025, including Compassion International, Wells Enterprises Inc., Nebraska Medicine and Pella Corporation.

Graduates now work in roles such as accountant, data scientist, marketing associate, police officer,

recruiting coordinator, soft ware engineer, donor relations specialist, preschool teacher and child protection worker.

The average reported salary for those employed full time is $52,595, with a maximum reported salary of $85,250.

Graduate school placements include programs ranging from law and medicine to social work and business management. They are studying at institutions such as Iowa State University, Des Moines

University, Ohio State University, Western Theological Seminary and the universities of Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas Medical Center.

Members of the class of 2025 are living and working in 23 states, Washington, D.C., and two other countries, with 56% continuing to live and/or work in Iowa. For more information, visit nwciowa. edu/2025-outcomes.

ZAC LUCY

Northwestern’s class of 2025 achieved a 100% placement rate within six months of graduation.

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AROUND THE GREEN

Northwestern has been recognized as a Best Christian Workplace for the third consecutive year—and the latest honor comes with a new milestone. Based on the 2025 Best Christian Workplaces Institute survey, NWC earned its highest score ever: 4.19 out of 5, placing the college in the 91st percentile among higher education institutions.

The recognition is based on employee feedback about workplace culture, including teamwork, supportive supervision, purpose-driven work, communication, leadership and strategy.

“Achieving our highest score ever as a certified Best Christian Workplace is really a reflection of the incredibly talented, devoted and faithful employees we have,”

President Greg Christy says. “These are people who love the Lord and one another well, which provides an ideal setting for our standout students to be nurtured, challenged and supported to become all God intends for them to be.”

Christy says four themes emerged in this year’s results: commitment to the college’s Christian mission, a culture of excellence, flexible hours and a family-friendly work environment, and a strong sense of community.

In the 2025 survey, every NWC division rated its experience 4.0 or higher. In addition, 67% of employees rated the college 4.0 or higher, nearly 12% above other participating colleges and universities.

AARON ECKMANN

Dr. Erica Vonk teaches a class in a newly remodeled classroom in Van Peursem Hall.

GEOFF JOHNSON

Faith at Work: NWC Earns “Best” Again

Northwestern received its highest score ever on the 2025 Best Christian Workplaces Institute survey.

Classier Classrooms

Van Peursem Hall continues to take on new life as Northwestern advances its long-term renewal of one of campus’s busiest academic spaces.

Serving 11 academic departments and home to more than 20 classrooms and labs, VPH saw refreshed faculty offices and teaching spaces in the east and south wings last summer, including brighter lighting, new furniture and carpet, and updated paint. The east side lobby also received a thoughtful redesign, with inviting furnishings to make it easier for students to gather, study and collaborate between classes.

Seven classrooms received some of the most impactful upgrades. New teaching stations and simplified AV controls help faculty teach confidently, while screens that double as whiteboards make it easy to blend notes with on-screen content. Enhanced video capability in select rooms supports guest speakers and remote learners, and one renovated lab adds computer stations that allow students to share their work with the main teaching screen.

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GEOFF JOHNSON

AROUND THE GREEN

Dr. Jenny Song, chair of Northwestern’s business department, was honored with Northwestern’s 2025 Faculty Inspirational Service Award.

TEAM BUILDER To Northwestern’s admissions team, Lori (Timmer ’93) Zomermaand is more than a director——she’s a motivator, mentor and steady source of encouragement. Known for recognizing team members’ strengths, investing in their growth, and creating an environment where confidence and care go hand-in-hand, she has helped shape the culture of the office.

That kind of leadership was recognized when Zomermaand was chosen as the 2025 staff recipient of Northwestern’s Inspirational Service Award. The award recognizes employees who go beyond excellence in their performance, demonstrate a selfless commitment to service, and reflect their dedication to Christ through daily work and interactions.

Zomermaand joined the admissions team in 2018 and became director in 2022. In the fall of 2024, she and her team brought in the largest freshman class since 2010——327

LEM MAURER

Lori Zomermaand, director of admissions, was honored with Northwestern’s 2025 Staff Inspirational Service Award.

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full-time first-year students. Yet colleagues say her deepest impact extends well beyond enrollment numbers.

“Her team feels very known and valued by her, and they trust her,” says Tamara Fynaardt, vice president for enrollment and marketing. “Lori’s leadership has resulted in a team of admissions counselors who perform with confidence because they feel cared for personally and invested in professionally.”

Counselors echo that sentiment. “She tirelessly supports and empowers everyone on our team,” says Dylan Costello ’20.

Stephanie (Lantz ’10) Martin adds, “She holds high expectations while also offering grace. Lori points me to Christ with her words and her actions.”

Zomermaand was previously a business owner, project manager and track coach in Sioux Center, where she served on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce and Sioux Center Community Schools.

SERVANT-LEADER When colleagues describe Dr. Jenny Song, a phrase comes up again and again: She serves with people in mind. “She truly cares about the well-being of people around her,” says Dr. Han-Yen Kao, associate professor of economics. “The combination of a project manager’s mind and a servant-leader’s heart is what makes Jenny a worthy recipient of the Inspirational Service Award.”

Song was honored as the faculty recipient of Northwestern’s Inspirational Service Award in May. The award recognizes faculty who go beyond excellence in their performance, have demonstrated a selfless commitment to service, and whose dedication to Christ is apparent in their daily work and interactions.

An associate professor and chair of Northwestern’s business department, Song has been part of the faculty since 2019. She has played key roles in developing new interdisciplinary programs, including majors in creative industries–visual art and social enterprise. An associate editor for The International Journal of Servant-Leadership, she received Northwestern’s Faculty Excellence in Faith and Learning Award in 2022.

In nominations for this year’s honor, colleagues emphasized Song’s collaboration, attention to detail, and passion for helping international students and faculty feel welcomed.

“Jenny is a tireless champion for her department, international students and partnerships with colleagues,” says Dr. Jeff VanDerWerff ’83, dean of social sciences. “She goes out of her way to encourage and assist others in their time of need,” adds Registrar Austin Nyhof ’06.

Song is a certified project management professional and brings extensive industrial information technology experience from her career in China.

AROUND THE GREEN

FAITHFUL HISTORIAN

terward,” noted one student. “He has pushed me to think much deeper about the way our world is today,” wrote another.

Known for his unabashed use of puns, Monsma is adept at engaging students in the material, and they regularly commend his accessibility and commitment to their success. “Professor Monsma truly cares about his students,” wrote a nominator. “This is evident in everything from his tests to his conversations.”

A member of Northwestern’s faculty since 1999, Monsma also received the Teaching Excellence Award in 2014. He earned doctoral and master’s degrees in sociology from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree from Geneva College. Northwestern’s assessment director, he has led study abroad trips to Taiwan and Oman and has been published in faith-focused sociology journals.

LEM MAURER

“He has by far been the most formative professor for how I think about life and the many questions that come with it,” wrote a student who nominated Dr. Scott Monsma for the Northwestern Teaching Excellence Award.

Monsma, professor of sociology, was named the 2025 recipient of the award and honored during the college’s commencement ceremony in May. The award honors full-time faculty who embody Northwestern’s Vision for Learning in their classroom teaching. Recipients are those who have distinguished themselves in their ability to lead students to trust, love and worship God; to engage ideas; to connect knowledge and experience; and to respond to God’s call. Students who nominated Monsma described him as organized, consistent, fair, intentional and compassionate.

“Dr. Monsma loves having conversations with students that help us expand our thinking and help make us better people af-

Kugler was a Fellow of the Holocaust Educational Foundation in 2024 and was one of 25 scholars invited to the Science and Christianity in Oxford summer seminar in 2019. His 2023 book, Into the Jungle! A Boy’s Comic Strip History of World War II, explores the historical context of comic strips drawn by his father in the 1940s.

“Mike is an active and productive scholar,” wrote a professor who nominated him. “He regularly leads faculty reading groups where discussions dive deep into faith, history and philosophy. And Mike lives out his faith in action, helping people in need behind the scenes and truly caring for his neighbors.”

Kugler primarily teaches European history from the Reformation through the modern era. He holds a doctorate from the University of Chicago, a master’s from Western Washington University and a bachelor’s from Judson Baptist College.

ZAC LUCY

Dr. Michael Kugler has long helped students understand the past with curiosity and faith. That steady commitment to teaching and scholarship earned him Northwestern’s 2025 Faculty Excellence in Faith and Learning Award, presented during commencement in May. The award honors faculty for their devotion to scholarship and creative expression in ways that faithfully share the wonder, truth and beauty of God’s revelation in Scripture and creation. For Kugler, that calling has taken shape through decades of teaching, writing and service.

A Northwestern professor since 1994 and recipient of the college’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2006, Kugler has published widely in faith-and-learning venues. His research ranges from traditional historical sources to popular media, reflecting both intellectual curiosity and a desire to connect faith with the world students inhabit.

THOUGHTFUL TEACHER

Dr. Michael Kugler, professor of history, was the 2025 recipient of Northwestern’s Faculty Excellence in Faith and Learning Award.

Students describe sociology professor Dr. Scott Monsma as organized, intentional and compassionate.

He received the 2025 Northwestern Teaching Excellence Award.

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AROUND THE GREEN

Among the Region’s Best Northwestern’s theatre production of An Enemy of the People was one of four shows selected for presentation at the Region Five American College Theatre Festival in Rochester, Minnesota, in January.

Originally written by Henrik Ibsen, An Enemy of the People centers on a doctor who discovers that the water in his town’s springs——a major source of income for the community——is dangerously contaminated, forcing him to decide whether defending the truth is worth standing against the majority. The NWC production, staged last April, used an adaptation by Arthur Miller that underscored the play’s continued relevance.

“Being selected to perform at the American College Theatre Festival is a tremendous honor for our program and our students,” says director

Molly Wiebe Faber, assistant professor of theatre. “Within our sevenstate region, we compete against schools of all sizes, including large state universities. To be chosen for the festival means our work truly stood out.”

Wiebe Faber believes the production was selected for both its quality and its message. “The adjudicators responded to the strong design work and powerful performances,” she says. “They were also impressed by the way this show sparked conversation beyond the theatre. At its core, An Enemy of the People asks what the truth is worth——a question that remains deeply relevant today.”

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JOSH HARRELL

Northwestern’s production of An Enemy of the People was one of four featured at a regional college theatre festival in January.

AARON ECKMANN

AROUND THE GREEN

Northwestern’s 2025 alumni of the year are (from left) Grant Hegstad ’10, Dr. James Kennedy ’84, Dan Vermeer ’94, Tricia (Vander Waal ’94) Vermeer, and CAPT Robin (Van Oosterhout ’92) Lewis.

Standout Alumni The 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards celebrated the achievements of a public health captain serving with the U.S. Coast Guard, a nationally recognized Dutch historian, an award-winning educator and administrator, and a couple whose leadership has strengthened Christian education and philanthropy.

CAPT Robin (Van Oosterhout ’92) Lewis

Dan ’94 and Tricia (Vander Waal ’94) Vermeer

Distinguished Service to Humankind

Distinguished Service to Northwestern

CAPT Robin Lewis was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1999 and served in California, Guam, Texas and at the U.S. Naval Academy. After accepting a commission with the U.S. Public Health Service in 2009, she served as a commissioned officer with the Navy in Virginia, South Carolina and aboard the USNS Comfort. Since 2020, Lewis has served as public health captain in the U.S. Coast Guard, where she helps guide a worldwide behavioral health program. She has direct oversight of the Coast Guard’s District 7, which spans Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and the Caribbean. Lewis holds a doctorate in psychology as well as advanced degrees in counseling and psychopharmacology. She is the recipient of more than 40 military awards and was named 2011 Force Protection Military Medical Hero.

Dan and Tricia Vermeer are active members of the Vermeer Corporation, where Tricia is executive director of the Vermeer Charitable Foundation and Dan is an engaged shareholder. Both have served as Vermeer family ambassadors and members of the Vermeer Ownership Council, and Tricia also sits on the company’s board of directors.

The Vermeers’ commitment to Christian education has been evident throughout their careers. Dan taught high school history at Christian schools for more than 20 years and also coached baseball and basketball. Tricia served on Northwestern’s board of trustees from 2012 to 2024, including terms as vice chair and chair.

Dr. James C. Kennedy ’84

Grant Hegstad ’10

Distinguished Professional Achievement

Standout Young Alum

Dr. James Kennedy is a professor of modern Dutch history and a distinguished university professor of community engaged learning at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. Kennedy was chairman of the committee that presented a revised version of the Canon of the Netherlands, a historical framework highlighting 50 important persons, objects and events that shaped the country’s cultural development. He holds degrees from Georgetown University, Calvin College and Seminary, and the University of Iowa. He and his wife, Simone, have hosted Northwestern alumni and friends for bike tours in the Netherlands, during which he shares his historical expertise.

Grant Hegstad is the assistant principal, career experiences coordinator and head football coach at MOC-Floyd Valley High School in Orange City. In 2024, his success as an administrator and educator was recognized by the Milken Family Foundation when he was selected as Iowa’s sole recipient of the national Milken Educator Award, known as the “Oscar of Teaching.” A former special education teacher, Hegstad holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Sioux Falls.

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AROUND THE GREEN

Stimulating Simulators

Northwestern’s nursing department features a high-fidelity pediatric simulator, thanks to a $130,000 grant from the Carver Charitable Trust.

GEOFF JOHNSON

Northwestern’s nursing students have powerful new tools for learning thanks to a $130,000 grant from the Carver Charitable Trust. The funding provided a high-fidelity pediatric simulator and a virtual-reality simulation system, as well as two medium-fidelity simulators for assessment practice, expanding the program’s ability to train future nurses with confidence and compassion.

The pediatric simulator mirrors the vital signs, behaviors and responses of a real child. It can blink and interact with students while presenting common pediatric cases such as asthma, dehydration, seizures or respiratory distress. “It provides the opportunity to practice high-stakes pediatric care in a controlled, low-risk environment,” says nursing department chair Dr. Karie Stamer. “This reduces the anxiety and pressure nursing students may feel when performing procedures on real children for the first time.”

The VR simulation system makes use of virtual reality to allow students to experience high-risk or invasive procedures, such as IV insertions or injections. Together, the simulators help Northwestern keep pace with a rapidly changing health care landscape while meeting the growing demand for nurses.

“Advances in medicine are moving at such a fast pace that it’s hard for educational institutions to keep up,” explains Stamer. “The new equipment helps us prepare students to practice health care with both excellence and compassion.”

Endowed Appointment

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and the Mutuality of God.” She also serves as co-president of the Karl Barth Society of North America and as project editor for the Barth Translators’ Seminar.

An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Kaltwasser was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Tübingen. Her research explores prayer, sanctification and the Christian life, and she is currently completing a manuscript titled “Karl Barth on Friendship with God.” Dr. Cambria Kaltwasser has been appointed to the biblical and theological studies department’s endowed professorship.

ANDREW MARINKOVICH

Northwestern’s board of trustees has appointed Dr. Cambria Kaltwasser to the Marvin and Jerene DeWitt Endowed Biblical and Theological Studies Professorship.

The five-year position provides annual funds to support her scholarly work. Criteria for the appointment include a distinguished record as an outstanding teacher; recognition for scholarly and leadership contributions to one’s discipline; exemplary service to the department, Northwestern and the larger community; and a demonstrated commitment to the college’s mission.

Kaltwasser joined Northwestern in 2017 and is now an associate professor of theology.

She teaches historical and doctrinal theology and has contributed to her field through publications such as the book chapters “Karl Barth’s Critique of Deification” and “Kenosis

AROUND THE GREEN

New Academic Pathways

A strength + conditioning major is one of Northwestern’s new academic programs launched this fall.

AARON ECKMANN

Whether they’re drawn to coaching athletes, shaping young children’s classroom experiences, or bringing visual ideas to life, Northwestern students now have three new pathways to pursue those callings. A strength + conditioning major, a creative industries–visual art major, and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in early childhood were all introduced this fall, giving students more ways to align their interests with in-demand careers.

The strength + conditioning major equips students to help athletes reach their full potential. In addition to exercise science coursework, students learn techniques and strategies specific to the field while gaining extensive hands-on experience in the weight room. With up to 450 hours of supervised training, graduates are prepared for coaching careers or certification as a certified strength + conditioning specialist.

For students who want to merge visual creativity with business insight, the creative industries–visual art major offers a cross-disciplinary approach. A collaboration between the art and design department and the business department, the program prepares students for roles such as illustrator, art director, curator or creative director. Coursework blends art foundations with business tracks in areas like innovation, marketing and nonprofit leadership, complemented by internships and community projects.

Northwestern also now offers a fully online M.A.T. in early childhood, designed for professionals without a bachelor’s degree in education who seek initial teaching licensure.

The program includes the birth––grade 3 inclusive setting endorsement and supports career changers through flexible eight-week courses, financial aid options and the ability to finish in approximately two years.

Best in Class

TIM TUSHLA

Zavyr Metzer is the 2025 NAIA Duer Scholarship Award winner and the College Sports Communicators NAIA Academic All-American of the Year for volleyball.

Excellence on the court and in the classroom has earned volleyball senior Zavyr Metzger two high national honors. In September she was named the NAIA’s 2025 A.O. Duer Scholarship Award recipient, recognizing her outstanding character, scholarship and playing ability. She is the first Raider to receive the association’s top student-athlete award since Karlie (Schut ’16) Schornack in 2014.

In January, the College Sports Communicators added another honor, naming Metzger the NAIA Academic All-American of the Year for volleyball. She’s the third Raider to win that honor, following Robin Pals-Rylaarsdam ’92 and Schornack. Metzger was an Academic All-America First Team honoree three times.

A nursing major with a 3.99 GPA from Larchwood, Iowa, Metzger was

a strong force at the net. The NAIA’s leader in blocks per set for three seasons, she finished her career with NWC’s single-season blocks record (251) and second in career blocks (688). Her résumé includes three GPAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors, two NAIA All-American selections, and two All-Tournament recognitions. At this year’s tournament, where the Raiders finished as national runners-up, she was named Defender of the Tournament. She was later honored as the NAIA’s Defender of the Year.

“Zavyr is a talented student-athlete who uses her God-given abilities to the fullest,” says head coach Kyle Van Den Bosch. “She comes to practice each day with the mentality of giving her best effort in every drill and helping her teammates be the best they can be.”

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AROUND THE GREEN

GAME DAY READY

SUBMITTED PHOTO

With the completion of the Den Hartog Athletic Complex, Raider athletics has a new facility built for today’s student-athletes. Located on the southeast side of the Bultman Center, the nearly 8,000-square-foot addition brings together new and renovated spaces that strengthen teams, support recruiting and reflect Northwestern’s commitment to excellence in athletics.

The state-of-the-art spaces provide Raider athletes with the modern amenities they need to

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prepare well and feel at home on campus. The complex includes a new football locker room, coaches’ offices, a 140-seat team room and a foyer highlighting Northwestern’s athletic history. Renovations to existing locker rooms give each team its own dedicated home locker room and each student-athlete an individual locker.

“This standout facility would not have been possible without the lead gift from John Den Hartog and generous gifts from so many others,”

says President Greg Christy. “I am so grateful John was able to be present for the groundbreaking with his family and only wish he was here to see the finished product.”

Designed by 10Fold Architecture and Engineering, the building emphasizes efficient use of space while putting Raider pride on full display through vivid graphics and signage.

These updates not only support practice and competition but also strengthen recruiting and reinforce Northwestern’s commitment to an

excellent student experience.

“We are blessed to have tremendous donors who give to the mission of Northwestern athletics,” says Vice President for Athletics Tony Hoops.

“The Den Hartog Athletic Complex is an elite facility that will benefit all Raider athletes for years to come.”

The new Den Hartog Athletic Complex includes a football locker room, coaches’ offices, a 140-seat team room and a foyer highlighting Northwestern’s athletic history.

AROUND THE GREEN

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AROUND THE GREEN

Exemplary Raider Christ through excellence in athletics is why we can celebrate this award together.”

In his first two years at Northwestern, Hoops oversaw a successful slate of teams as the Raiders won 12 GPAC regular season and tournament titles, earned 13 team NAIA championships berths, and reached two NAIA national championship games. Off the court, he launched the Student-Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), the first N-Dubs awards show, and Northwestern’s inaugural Raiders Giving Day. Hoops added that the honor reflects God’s faithfulness and the support of people around him. “I’ve been blessed by incredible mentors, colleagues and a loving family that made this award possible.”

AARON ECKMANN

Another win for Raider athletics: Vice President for Athletics Tony Hoops was named a 2024––25 Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

The honor recognizes athletic directors for their commitment to student-athletes, campuses and their communities. One of only four NAIA recipients selected, Hoops was recognized at the organization’s convention in June.

“I am incredibly humbled to receive this award,” says Hoops. “Northwestern has been such a blessing to me and our family.

I’m thankful for the opportunity to lead an extremely talented group of coaches, staff members and student-athletes. Their daily commitment to our mission of honoring

Tony Hoops, vice president for athletics, was named a 2024––25 Athletics Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

Standout SID

LEM MAURER

Director of Athletic Communications Bradley Laackmann was named the 2024––25 GPAC Sports Information Director of the Year.

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Bradley Laackmann ’20 made a big impression in his first full year directing athletic communications. He was named the 2024––25 Great Plains Athletic Conference Sports Information Director of the Year, an honor voted on by his colleagues.

The award reflects a whirlwind debut in the role. Laackmann oversaw coverage for all 22 Raider sports, helping drive an athletics website that ranked among the NAIA’s top five nationally in pageviews and livestreams that averaged more than 1,000 viewers per event. He also introduced new tools such as FanWord, an AI-assisted writing platform, while leading a growing team of student communicators.

Social media momentum followed, including a nearly 350% increase in Instagram reach, alongside successful nominations of four College Sports Communicators All-Americans and 39 GPAC Athletes of the Week.

“I’m incredibly proud of Bradley and the work he has done,” says Vice President for Athletics Tony Hoops. “Bradley is deeply committed to the Christian mission of Northwestern, telling the story of Raider athletics in unique ways and connecting with a broader audience.”

“It is an honor to be recognized by my peers,” says Laackmann. “This is a team effort, and I am grateful to collaborate with Northwestern’s students and staff each day.”

Net Gain

by Duane Beeson Another remarkable Raider volleyball season ended one win shy of an NAIA national title, but the 2025 squad delivered one of the finest runs in program history——finishing with a 33-4 record.

Northwestern fell in December’s championship game to Indiana Wesleyan, the same team that beat them in the 2023 title match.

Three Raiders received All-American honors. First-team recognition went to senior middle hitter Zavyr Metzger, who was named the NAIA Defender of the Year after leading the nation in blocks per set for the third consecutive season, and junior outside hitter Stella Winterfeld, the 2025 GPAC Player of the Year. Sophomore middle hitter Maddy Sampson earned third-team honors.

Head coach Kyle Van Den Bosch says the team came together about four weeks into the season after the Raiders adjusted their offense——speeding up some sets and slowing others—— and, just as important, found a rhythm in how they played together. “Everybody accepted their role well,” he says. “This team was built on grit and unity.

“Fans always appreciate great players,” says Van Den Bosch, who was named GPAC Coach of the Year for the 10th time, “but they really enjoy watching great teams. This was a team people enjoyed watching——very unified, like one heartbeat on the floor.”

Northwestern rolled through the Great Plains Athletic Conference, going 16-0 in league play for the second consecutive season and winning the GPAC tournament title for the third

straight year. The Raiders have now won 50 straight GPAC matches dating back to Sept. 30, 2023.

The postseason was equally impressive. Northwestern swept its way through the NAIA semifinals and consistently played with a level of control that is rare on the sport’s biggest stage. The Raiders posted 25 sweeps on the year——the second-most in program history——and earned 12 wins against teams ranked in the final NAIA Top 25.

As the Raiders look ahead, Van Den Bosch says the program’s goals remain unchanged: helping players grow in their faith, competing for conference and national championships, and sustaining a culture where athletes push each other daily.

The volleyball team gave Raider fans plenty to cheer about as they ended the season as national runner-up.

LUCY YOUNG

LUCY YOUNG

Outside hitter Stella Winterfeld was fifth in the NAIA in kills per set with 4.41.

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RED ZONE

Hall of Fame Career, Kingdom Legacy

by Duane Beeson Korver introduced Northwestern’s Monday Mornings for Men, a weekly gathering of men who work to better themselves through biblical relationships and community. He continues to lead that program while teaching Foundations of Education and Coaching Methods and working in athletic fundraising for NWC. In mid-December, he enjoyed welcoming back members of the 2001 national championship team. “I was proud to see who they’ve become, and I thanked them for letting me learn and grow with them. It’s been a rich ride.”

He’s no longer on the Bultman Center sidelines, but his coaching legacy endures.

Kris Korver, Northwestern’s head men’s basketball coach from 2000 to 2025, is a new inductee in the NAIA Hall of Fame.

MATTHEW HICKS

When Kris Korver ’92 was named Northwestern’s head men’s basketball coach in 2000, he reflected on his objectives: “Northwestern has a rich basketball tradition, and I am excited to build on that tradition. It will be my goal to disciple athletes to move toward maturity in Jesus Christ through a well-rounded basketball program so they can positively impact future generations.”

This month he’ll be inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, adding one more milestone to a career filled with victories but defined even more by Christ-centered impact.

Korver retired from coaching last March after compiling a 574-225 record, the fourth best among active NAIA coaches. His Raider teams won two NAIA Division II national titles (2001 and 2003), played in five Final Fours and made 19 NAIA tournament appearances. And he coached 48 All-Americans and one NAIA Player of the Year.

But as Korver reflects on his Hall of Fame selection, his focus lands far beyond the win column. “My aim was to use basketball as a tool for life transformation with the Holy Spirit; to raise up the next generation of leaders, husbands and dads; and to pass on the baton of faith.”

Northwestern Vice President for Athletics Tony Hoops believes that influence is exactly what makes Korver stand out. “Coaches across the country admired how his teams competed with tremendous intensity and strong attention to detail,” Hoops says. “I realized while working with him the Hall of Fame-worthy impact he has made on the game, our community, and the lives of thousands of young men.”

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RED ZONE

More Than a Championship Player

by Duane Beeson The memories Becca (Hurley ’11) Kramer carries from her days on the Northwestern women’s basketball team aren’t only of the national championships——they’re of the people. Teammates who sacrificed and celebrated together. Coaches who taught the game and shaped priorities. Host families and a community that made Orange City feel like home.

That story of excellence and influence has a new chapter: Kramer has been selected for induction into the NAIA Hall of Fame. One of the most decorated players in NWC history, she was a three-time NAIA first-team All-American and the 2011 National Player of the Year, helping power the Red Raiders to NAIA Division II national titles in 2008, 2010 and 2011.

Kramer finished her career with 2,315 points and remains a fixture in Northwestern record books, ranking second in career steals (281), third in assists (534) and fourth in scoring. Her 102 steals during the 2010–11 season still stands as a single-season school record.

Yet when Kramer reflects on what shaped her most, she points to a program culture that consistently reinforced what mattered.

“Honestly, my coaches knew everything about succeeding in basketball and about priorities in life (God, family, studies, then basketball),” Kramer says. “Our coaches taught us to play for one another, selflessly, and the results would take care of themselves.”

That mindset, she says, showed up in the daily habits——diving for loose balls, setting hard screens and making plays that didn’t always show up in the box score, but built trust and momentum. Those “little things” became a hallmark of how Northwestern played, and how Kramer led.

Former coach and athletic director Earl Woudstra ’78 says Kramer’s impact extended far beyond her accolades.

“Becca made everyone around her better, both on and off the floor,” Woudstra says.

“She demonstrated a humble spirit and a warm, caring personality that made everyone she encountered feel noticed and valued.”

Today, Kramer continues that influence as she teaches physical education at Joshua Christian Academy, a school that serves families of low-income levels in the inner city of Des Moines, Iowa.

The NAIA’s 2011 National Player of the Year and a member of three Raider championship teams, Becca Kramer is now an NAIA Hall of Fame member.

DAN ROSS

For more on Raider sports, visit nwcraiders.com

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1,0 0 0 WO R DS

Best in Iowa

Northwestern College has been ranked the No. 1 college campus in Iowa by Niche.com. The ranking draws on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education, recognizing colleges with standout classrooms, labs, performance venues, housing, food and recreational facilities. Students describe a Christ-centered community where they feel welcomed, supported and challenged to grow in faith, pursue excellence, and prepare for lives of leadership and service.

GEOFF JOHNSON

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Northwestern’s Story, Preserved in the Light

by Anita Cirulis

In October, Northwestern released a new history of the institution——a book that was eight years in the making.

Pursuing the Light: A History of Northwestern, 1882-2024 tells the story of NWC from the perspective of students, faculty, staff and leadership.

“My sources were predominantly written ones,” says Dr. Doug Anderson, Northwestern’s part-time archivist, retired history professor and the primary author of the book. “I wish we had been able to take the time to do a lot of oral interviews, but it was too impractical.”

Prior to writing, Anderson pored over copies of the student newspaper as well as the Classic. He also used board of trustee minutes, presidential correspondence, faculty meeting minutes, denominational publications, area newspapers and other scholarly historical publications.

Among the book’s eight other contributors is Greta Grond, director of the DeWitt Library, which houses Northwestern’s archives.

“I knew Doug’s research would be both meticulous and insightful,” she says. “He’s an exceptional writer. As a historian, he excels at situating Northwestern’s story within the broader sweep of regional and American history, allowing the past to be understood in a fuller context.”

President Greg Christy was the impetus for the book and secured a gift from the Paul and Barb Truesdell family to support its publication.

The first history of Northwestern, From Strength to Strength, covered the college’s initial 100 years, but NWC is now closing in on its 150th

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anniversary. Jill Haarsma ’95, executive assistant to the president, served as the book’s managing editor.

Pursuing the Light has something for everyone. Its nearly 400 pages consist of nine chapters arranged chronologically and fi lled with photos and more than 40 sidebar articles about people, events or topics from Northwestern’s history. Seven of those chapters include sections specifically on athletics. The book also includes appendices in which one can find the dates of key events, enrollment figures, information about campus buildings, and lists of presidents, board chairs, chaplains, coaches, theatrical productions, and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees.

Duane Beeson, director of marketing and communications, authored the sections on Northwestern’s sports teams.

“I wanted every former athlete to have the sense that their sport was covered in some way,” he says.

Beeson’s research uncovered accounts of football players in the early years unable to practice because they were busy picking corn—and having their program suspended in 1941 because they were contending with “carloads” of sandburs on the practice field.

Details like that make the book such an enjoyable read. Pursuing the Light profi les a young professor who took a pay cut in 1929 to teach science at Northwestern, eventually taking on so many roles that the student newspaper described him as a “jack of all trades.” It recounts the enthusiastic reception Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens received

JERRY MENNENGA

Primary author Dr. Doug Anderson (right) and Duane Beeson, who wrote the athletics sections, signed copies of Northwestern’s new history book during Raider Nation Celebration in October.

when he visited Northwestern in 1937, and the less-than-enthusiastic response by students to Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel’s performance at the May Day Banquet in 1965, before the folk-rock duo became famous.

Pursuing the Light isn’t a marketing piece, and it doesn’t avoid rocky or controversial moments in Northwestern’s history. Instead, events on campus are given context by Anderson as he explains simultaneous political, cultural and religious movements happening in the U.S., as well as national and world events, including two world wars, the Civil Rights Movement, economic crises, 9/11 and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kim Van Es, who served as the book’s content and copy editor, says that to not include those aspects of Northwestern’s story would have been disingenuous. “They epitomize the challenging conversations that happen at a Christian liberal arts college, and how civil discussions can lead to understanding better the views of others,” she explains.

Indeed, Northwestern’s mission of providing rigorous academics in a Christian educational community is obvious throughout the book. It’s also reflected in the volume’s title, a reference to the phrase inscribed in Latin on the cornerstone of Zwemer Hall: Deus est lux, or “God is light.”

Celebrating the Release Pursuing the Light: A History of Northwestern, 1882-2024 was featured during Raider Nation Celebration on Oct. 4. After an open house reception, during which copies of the book were available for purchase, a brief program featured readings from the book. A few days later, an event at Orange City’s Dutch American Heritage Museum included readings and a panel discussion about the book’s creation.

Pursuing the Light is available for purchase for $25 at Northwestern’s bookstore and online at bookstore.nwciowa.edu.

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FACES BEHIND THE BUILDINGS

by Duane Beeson

RSC. VPH. LC. Steggy. The Juff. Northwestern’s campus is full of familiar nicknames——but behind every building are stories (and people) worth remembering. Of course, these are only a few of Northwestern’s many named spaces.

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BOLKS APARTMENTS • Built: 2001 and 2003 • Named for: former board president and NWC founder the Rev. Seine Bolks • About Seine: In 1872, at age 58, he became pastor of Orange City’s first church. Northwestern Classical Academy was founded in 1882, and Seine was the first president of the board of trustees.

• Houses: student apartments • Notable: Three buildings each include 10 to 12 two-bedroom furnished apartments.

BULTMAN CENTER • Built: 1995 • Named for: former president Dr. James and Martie Bultman • About James: Under his leadership from 1985 to 1999, NWC increased enrollment from 850 to nearly 1,200, while the endowment grew from $2.5 million to more than $29 million.

• Houses: athletics center • Notable: Todd Barry, former athletic director and men’s basketball coach, made the first shot taken in the Bultman Center. As construction workers watched, he settled for a sure-thing layup.

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CHRISTY SUITES • Built: 2024 • Named for: current president Greg and Michelle Christy • About Greg: Known as “PGC,” he has led NWC to multiple enrollment records, the launching of graduate programs and numerous facility enhancements since becoming president in 2008.

• Houses: 157 women in suites • Notable: It includes a two-story fireside room and a 24-hour convenience store.

DEN HARTOG ATHLETIC COMPLEX • Built: 2025 • Named for: former trustee John and Ann Den Hartog • About John: The founder of Den Hartog Industries in Hospers, Iowa, he was a loyal fan and generous supporter of Raider athletics.

• Houses: football locker room, coaches’ offices and 140-seat team room • Notable: Northwestern’s athletic history is highlighted in the building’s foyer.

DEWITT FAMILY SCIENCE CENTER

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• Built: 2018 • Named for: former trustee Jack and Mary DeWitt • About Jack: He was president of Request Foods in Holland, Michigan, a leader in the frozen food industry.

• Houses: biology, chemistry and nursing departments • Notable: When the building opened, Northwestern was one of only two institutions in Iowa to have a DNA sequencer.

DEWITT LEARNING COMMONS (LC) • Built: 2013 • Named for: former trustee Jack and Mary DeWitt • About Jack: At the time of his death in 2018, he and Mary had given more than $10 million to NWC. He served on the board of trustees for 13 years.

• Houses: library, AV, Common Grounds coffee shop and Student Success Center • Notable: It flanks Christ Chapel as a sign of Northwestern’s commitment to the integration of faith and learning.

DEWITT MUSIC HALL • Built: 1987 • Named for: former trustee Marv and Jerene DeWitt • About Marv: He helped convince college officials to move ahead with construction of Christ Chapel and the music facility despite the farm crisis.

Marv and Jerene donated more than $7 million to NWC. • Houses: music department • Notable: The facility includes choral and instrumental rehearsal studios, private practice rooms and teaching studios.

DEWITT THEATRE ARTS CENTER

• Built: 2003 • Named for: former trustee Marv and Jerene DeWitt • About Marv: He and his brother, Bill, began raising turkeys in 1938 near Zeeland, Michigan. BilMar Foods grew to become one of the nation’s largest turkey processors before it was purchased by the Sara Lee Corporation in 1988.

• Houses: theatre department • Notable: The building includes a proscenium-style theatre and a black box.

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HEEMSTRA SUITES • Built: 2012 • Named for: Northwestern College’s first president, Jacob and Hannah Heemstra, in 2025 • About Jacob: As president from 1928 to 1951, he steered NWC through the enrollment and financial challenges of the Great Depression and World War II. • Houses: 70 men in suites • Notable: Originally known as North Suites, its traditions include miniature golf and an all-campus movie night.

HOSPERS HALL • Built: 1965 • Named for: Orange City and NWC founder Henry Hospers • About Henry: He led a group from Pella, Iowa, that explored homesteading sites in Sioux County in 1869, and he platted Orange City’s townsite. He later opened a general store, bank and newspaper.

• Houses: 100 men • Notable: First named Union Hall, it housed women and a student union. Its biggest tradition is the Cardboard and Duct Tape Battle.

JUFFER FIELDHOUSE (THE JUFF)

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• Built: 2015 • Named for: former professor/ coach Ron and Peg Juffer • About Ron: He worked at NWC from 1967 to 2014. He was legendary for remembering key details about alumni.

• Houses: strength and conditioning space for athletes, indoor turf and golf practice room • Notable: The facility provides more than 33,000 square feet of indoor practice and training space for Red Raider studentathletes.

KORVER VISUAL ARTS CENTER • Built: 2003 • Named for: former art student Thea Korver • About Thea: A talented artist and musician, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She was murdered in Ames, Iowa, in 1993, leaving behind four young sons.

• Houses: art department • Notable: The building includes space for ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, printmaking and sculpture, as well as an art gallery.

RAMAKER CENTER • Built: 1964 • Named for: NWC supporters Col. Henry and Grace Ramaker • About Henry: An auctioneer and real estate broker in Sioux Center, Iowa, he was a trustee for several years and was noted for being generous “with his time, talents and possessions.”

• Houses: campus ministry and student life offices, Bridge Center and Compass Center for Career & Calling • Notable: The building served as Northwestern’s library until 2013.

ROWENHORST STUDENT CENTER (RSC)

• Purchased: 1978 • Named for: former president Virgil and Shirley Rowenhorst • About Virgil: Previously president of Orange City’s Northwestern State Bank, he served as NWC president from 1975 to 1979, when he died of cancer.

• Houses: bookstore, the Hub Raider Grille, kinesiology department, mailroom, and athletics and counseling offices • Notable: The building was originally a farm machinery factory.

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SMITH HALL • Built: 1968 • Named for: longtime music and art professor Fern Smith Rowenhorst • About Fern: A member of Northwestern’s faculty from 1928 to 1961, she also served as the college’s first dean of women.

• Houses: 200 men (since 2024) • Notable: The hall’s traditions include an annual hog roast and Christmas bash.

STEGENGA HALL (STEGGY) • Built: 1996 • Named for: former president Preston and Marcia Stegenga in 2003; originally known as North Hall • About Preston: President from 1955 to 1966, he led NWC’s transition into a four-year institution and expanded its international student population.

• Houses: 200 women • Notable: Traditions include Steggy Keggy (with kegs of root beer) and a monthly all-hall pancake party.

VAN PEURSEM HALL (VPH)

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• Built: 1924 • Named for: Northwestern supporter Martin Van Peursem • About Martin: A farmer in the Maurice, Iowa, area, he donated a 110-acre Lyon County farm.

• Houses: academic offices, classrooms and labs • Notable: Originally known as Science Hall, the building was renamed in recognition of Martin’s philanthropy, as well as “the generous contributions of the entire family to the community, the college and the church.”

VOGEL WELCOME CENTER (VWC) • Built: 2021 • Named for: former trustee Frank and Lois Vogel • About Frank: The first president of the Vogel Paint Company, he began a second career in banking at age 60. He served on Northwestern’s board of trustees for more than 25 years, including as chair.

• Houses: admissions, financial aid, and marketing + communications offices • Notable: Prospective students and alumni sign the lobby’s red walls when they visit.

ZWEMER HALL • Built: 1894 • Named for: former principal James Zwemer in 1924; originally known as Academy Hall • About James: He served as principal of Northwestern Classical Academy from 1890 to 1898. When the institution suffered financial challenges, he lent Northwestern $600 to keep it open.

• Houses: offices for academic affairs, advancement, business, graduate + professional studies, human resources, president, printing and registrar • Notable: Zwemer Hall has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1975.

PHOTOS: PAUL BROKERING, DOUG BURG, AARON ECKMANN,

GEOFF JOHNSON, AMANDA KUNDERT, ZAC LUCY, LEM MAURER, DAN ROSS, NWC ARCHIVES, SUBMITTED

NORTHWESTERN CLASSIC

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COVER STORY

First in the FAMILY

For first-generation college students, earning a degree opens new possibilities

S

by Anita Cirulis

tudents who are the first in their family to attend college face special challenges. Often, they are financial: How does one fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, let alone afford a college education? Or they may be logistical: What steps does one take to apply for housing or register for classes? Then there are expectations: Parents who haven’t experienced college themselves may not understand the work involved.

The student may not either.

Approximately 13% of Northwestern’s student body are firstgeneration college students. While they prepare for lives and careers made possible by higher education, they find support, affirmation, community and faith as Red Raiders.

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2025–26

GREG LATZA

COVER STORY

Austin Dixon loves his role as middle school band director at Central Lyon Community School in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

The Band Director: Austin Dixon ’23 When Austin Dixon was 3 years old, his parents sent him to live with his grandmother in George, Iowa. Three months later, they joined him from North Carolina—a decision that put distance between them and an environment characterized by dysfunction and drugs.

Though neither had a college degree, they saw college as a good thing.

“Once they were able to get their lives back together, they realized not having an education just backs you up into a corner,” Dixon says.

“They didn’t want that for me, so they encouraged me to go to college.”

Dixon had two interests while growing up: astrophysics and music.

“I grew up watching documentaries about space all the time, but even before I started band, I wanted to be a musician,” Dixon says. “I saw a trombone, and instantly it was, ‘Yep, that’s the instrument I want to play.’”

Dixon decided on Northwestern after a friend invited him to come and play with the college’s band during a rehearsal. “I really enjoyed it,” he recalls. “The people around me were fantastic, and I felt incredibly welcomed the moment I stepped onto campus.”

College was an adjustment for both Dixon and his parents. “They weren’t able to relate to my time constraints and the amount of effort I was putting in,” he explains. “And I didn’t understand how to have the college mindset of taking the time out of your day to study and to work hard and to ask questions and to talk to the professors.”

Help came from Northwestern’s Student Success Center and from faculty and staff in the music department. “Dr. Holm really showed that he believed in me,” Dixon says. “The entire department made me feel as if I could accomplish more.”

The confidence they instilled in Dixon impacts his role as the middle school band director for the Central Lyon Community School in Rock Rapids, Iowa. “I don’t think there’s anything I would rather do,” Dixon says. “I love teaching music, and I love building relationships with the kids. The work ethic I developed at Northwestern I still utilize to this day.”

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COVER STORY

MAYO CLINIC

A second-year anesthesiology resident at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Jose Muro looks forward to making a difference in patients’ lives.

The Doctor: Jose Muro ’17 Jose Muro’s parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico in 1990. By the time he was born, they had moved from the Pacific Northwest to Iowa, where both held blue-collar jobs in Sioux Center— his father working as a welder, and his mother working on a production line.

Like many children of immigrants, Muro excelled academically.

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“My parents instilled hard work into us and really emphasized the importance of education,” Muro says of his siblings, all of whom—like him—are college graduates. “They saw education as an opportunity for us to better our lives and find our passions and careers.”

In high school, Muro took Advanced Placement classes while

juggling several jobs. “I saved money for college and purchased all my own vehicles,” he recalls.

“My parents had limited means, so the impetus was on me.”

Muro decided on a career in medicine while in high school. He chose Northwestern because of the strength of its science department, its supportive culture, and its proximity to family. At NWC,

he majored in genetics, molecular biology, and cellular biology and worked on research projects with Dr. Sara Sybesma Tolsma ’84. He also worked as a certified nursing assistant and did extensive job shadowing with doctors in Sioux Falls and Sioux City.

After graduating from Northwestern, Muro earned his medical degree from the Mayo Clinic, where he is currently in his second year of a four-year residency in anesthesiology.

“The courses at Northwestern were very rigorous and well taught, which certainly helped me with my MCAT score,” he says.

“My professors wrote letters of recommendation and helped provide guidance for applying to medical school.” Muro also received support from his family, Randy Van Peursem in the Student Success Center, and classmates who, like him, were pursuing medicine.

“Northwestern was very important to my growth, professionally and personally,” Muro says.

“I’m a better writer, and I’m more grounded in my faith as well.”

As he finishes his medical education, Muro will need to choose whether to specialize or to work as a general anesthesiologist. Whatever his decision, his goal is to make a positive impact on the lives of others, providing comfort and solace for those facing surgery.

COVER STORY

The Teacher: Megan Nichols ’24 required practicum in a different cultural setting. Afterward, at her initiative, Northwestern’s education club began partnering with the school, sending groups of students and professors to Walthill nearly every semester.

When it came time to find a teaching position, Nichols submitted just one job application—to Walthill. Her choice was shaped by a semester in Romania, a Summer of Service in Haiti and an internship in southern Louisiana.

“When I studied abroad, the professor gave me a lot of confidence and saw something in me that I didn’t really see in myself,” she says.

“And in Haiti, I connected really well with the kids and staff and gained confidence as a Christian. Christ was changing my life.”

Nichols is still in touch with several of her Northwestern professors, enjoying regular texts with fellow “English nerd” Dr. Chris Nonhof and her “biggest mentor,” Dr. Rebecca (Vander Molen ’03) Koerselman. Following their lead, Nichols is striving to provide the same kind of support for her students. When it comes to being a teacher, she says, “Relationship building is the key.”

JERRY MENNENGA

Megan Nichols and two of her sisters share something in common that is unusual in their family.

“Us three girls were the first in our family to make it out of our teens without a baby,” she says. “My mom had a baby at 19, and my grandmas were 15 and 16.”

Nichols’ parents barely graduated from high school. “I always knew they wanted more for me. I just didn’t always know how I was going to make that work.”

An athletic scholarship to play softball at Northwestern opened the door to college. Since her parents couldn’t help financially, Nichols worked multiple jobs—as many as five during one semester. There were times she’d work the overnight shift at the Ronald McDonald House in Sioux City, then drive back to campus for a 7:45 a.m. class.

“I met with my professors on several occasions and said, ‘I’m an A student, but financially, I have to work these jobs, so I’m going to give you a C,’” she remembers. “I just didn’t want them to think I was being disrespectful.”

An education major, Nichols chose Walthill Public School on the Omaha Reservation—near her hometown of Onawa, Iowa—for a

After completing a practicum on the Omaha Reservation, Megan Nichols knew she wanted to begin her teaching career there.

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COVER STORY

The Graduate Student: Jack MacGregor ’25 right college for his son.

“My dad found Northwestern,” MacGregor recalls. “He had done all the research, and he really valued the faith-based education I would get there.”

MacGregor applied on a whim, convinced a private college was out of reach financially. But while it became clear God was leading him to Northwestern, he still found college challenging.

“It was really hard learning the logistics when diving in as a first-generation college student,” he explains. “How do you fi ll out a college application, fi le your FAFSA, or get a housing assign-

ment? All the fundamentals of the college experience were completely strange to me.”

MacGregor’s academic adviser, theatre professor Ethan Koerner, walked him through the steps of registering for classes. Compass Center staff helped him apply for jobs, look for internships, and prepare his résumé and portfolio.

For motivation, MacGregor found inspiration in Northwestern’s maxim that “excellence honors God.” “Friends would always remind me of that when we were in the thick of working on shows while taking major tests and writing

large term papers,” he says.

MacGregor dreams of becoming a freelance theatre designer or creating immersive experiences for museums or zoos. Whatever he does, however, he’ll do it for the King.

“Northwestern has shaped the way I view the world and view vocation,” he explains. “A job isn’t a job. It’s a ministry. It’s a calling God has placed on our lives to make the world a little bit more like heaven.”

AARON ECKMANN

Jack MacGregor has been acting since the age of six. Now, after earning a theatre degree from Northwestern, he’s studying scenic design in the Master of Fine Arts program at Ohio State University.

“I always loved becoming different characters, and in high school, I was able to use my visual art abilities to design plays and musicals,” he says.

MacGregor grew up in Denison, Iowa, as a triplet in a family of four boys. Though his parents hadn’t attended college, he knew college was the best route to pursue a career in theatre. So did his father, who personally searched for the

After winning national theatre awards for his designs at Northwestern, Jack MacGregor is pursuing a master’s degree in scenic design at Ohio State.

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Every gift makes an impact For the Van Kalsbeek siblings, that impact is fourfold.

The children of longtime Northwestern supporters Carilyn and Brad Van Kalsbeek ’92, Mattea (Van Kalsbeek ’20) Prins and Mitchell ’20, Micah ’23 and Megan Van Kalsbeek ’25 have committed to making monthly gifts to NWC. Despite starting new careers and paying for graduate school, the Van Kalsbeeks are eager to give back to the place that equipped them for their careers and callings——even if it’s only a small amount each month.

“I am forever grateful for the ways Northwestern helped me grow both academically and spiritually. I see a monthly gift as a small way to express my gratitude and help ensure a positive experience for future Northwestern students.”

Dr. Mitchell Van Kalsbeek ’20, internal medicine resident, University of Arizona College of Medicine—Tucson

Commit to your monthly gift at nwciowa.edu/give-monthly. No matter the amount, every gift contributes to Northwestern’s Christ-centered mission.

nwciowa.edu/give2nwc

101 7th Street SW Orange City, IA 51041 giving@nwciowa.edu 712-707-7106

The office of Dr. Kali Jo (Wolkow ’16) Wacker, assistant professor of English, has a reputation for its unique design, but it’s also known as a space where students are always welcome.

The Office

by Emelie (Swonger ’19) La ackmann

Patterned wallpaper in bright colors. Macramé wall hangings. A gallery of eclectic art prints. Not the typical décor of an academic building——unless you’re in the office of Dr. Kali Jo (Wolkow ’16) Wacker, assistant professor of English.

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Part of Wacker’s Ph.D. studies focused on multimodal composition, the art of communicating through words, images, sound, video and even how objects are arranged in space. Her office is one of her liveliest “compositions,” surrounding her with art, stories and reminders of the people she loves.

Students and colleagues experience it as a place of belonging.

Vintage orange chairs invite them to linger for conversations about

classes and life’s big questions.

Sophomore writing and digital media major Rhea Cutler considers it one of her favorite places: “It feels so welcoming and creative and free.”

Wacker’s gallery wall features a mix of thrifted treasures and artwork created by former students. Above her bookshelf hangs a print of Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo—each with bright bands of color over their eyes. The

piece was made by art professor Meghan Charbonneau as a clever nod to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1) 1 and their Renaissance namesakes.

The shelves below hold books accented by McDonald’s Happy Meal toys (2)—Disney charac2 ters that hint at Wacker’s course “Literature, Disney and Popular Culture.”

“In order to study or teach multimodal composing, you need something that is accessible and

undaunting, such as a Disney movie about talking cars or pets with human characteristics,” she says. “When the ‘what’ of the story is more readily understood, we can then explore the ‘how’ and the ‘why.’”

Not every object points to class discussion. Two Austrian nesting dolls (3) 3 sit near the door, one of which was a gift from her entomologist grandfather, whose work with the United Nations led him to Austria. On top of a fi ling cabinet,

her great-grandpa Joe’s pocket watch (4) 4 marks another family legacy; Wacker’s middle name, Jo, is a tribute she shares with her mother and niece.

Wacker thinks of life as something we curate, a collection of ideas, memories and values. Her office is evidence of that philosophy, a space where students feel safe to share their passions and imagine the futures they might create.

2

4

3

1

PHOTOS BY AARON ECKMANN

NORTHWESTERN CLASSIC

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Class Notes ’64

Paul Hartog of Tulsa, a retired partner of HoganTaylor, was named a 2025 Pathfinder Award honoree by the Oklahoma Society of CPAs in recognition of his dedication to leadership and mentorship in guiding others toward success.

’65

John De Beer, Encinitas, California, published Ocean and Land, a compilation of stories from his life and family.

’69

Nelma (Post) Korthals of Pipestone, Minnesota, is retired after a 40-year teaching career.

’74

Earl Hulst was inducted into the Dowling Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame in September for his work as a photographer for the school in West Des Moines, Iowa. He has spent over 30 years photographing Dowling athletic events and theatre productions. Among others, he joins 22 of his former students at Sacred Heart School, including fellow 2025 inductee Caitlin Clark.

Jerry Kroeze, Orange City, retired as a financial services representative for State Farm Insurance in July.

’75

Jerris Van Roekel was inducted into the Nebraska Wesleyan University Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the men’s basketball team that finished the season as consolation champions in the 1987–88 NCAA Division III Final Four. Jerris and his wife, Tamra, live on Big Spirit Lake in Orleans, Iowa.

The Rev. Paul Wernlund, Holland, Michigan, is working for the Reformed Church in America as a chaplain for retired pastors, missionaries and surviving spouses.

He previously served as the pastor of Ottawa Reformed Church in West Olive, Michigan.

’76

Barbara Hubers-Drake of Des Moines, Washington, and her saxophone quartet, Bamboo and Brass, were chosen to perform at the evening classical concert of the North American Saxophone Alliance Region One Conference in Moscow, Idaho, last April.

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’77

Red Ties

Lillian Schouten is retired from teaching.

After four years at H-T-R Parochial School in Templeton, Iowa, she taught middle school math, science and social studies at Randolph [Wisconsin] Christian School for 41 years.

Ross Fernstrum ’12

Rhonda (Jensen) Beardshear is retired after a 37-year career as an OB nurse at Lawrence [Kansas] Memorial Hospital.

’81

Sheryl (Goldhorn) Vander Veen retired after 44 years of teaching at Inwood Christian School. She taught third- and fourth-grade students for the last 43 years, teaching fifth and sixth grade her first year.

’82

Dan Kruse, activities director at Central Lyon High School, received the Ken Winkler Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He has been in the education field for 43 years, serving as a bus driver, teacher, guidance counselor, principal and athletic director. He has been an assistant football coach for 17 years.

’83

Rollie Ackerman was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in March 2025. He served as athletic director at Grundy Center for 14 years and at Marshalltown for three years before retiring in 2019.

Dr. Beth (Dykstra) Van Meeteren wrote and published four books for the Teachers College Press “STEM for Our Youngest Learners Series.” She is director of the Iowa Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa.

’84

Don Bacon is serving his fifth term in U.S. Congress, representing the Omaha, Nebraska, area. He is the chairman of the Cyber Subcommittee and serves on the Armed Services and Agriculture committees.

Patti (Achterhoff) Kruger retired as principal from Rock Valley [Iowa] Elementary School. She led the school through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the aftermath of Rock Valley’s historic flooding in June 2024. She also guided the school

Director of the Northwestern Network

In the spring of 2025, I realized I was

old. Not simply because my body hurt after minimal exertion or because my hairline

had nowhere further to recede to. I realized I was old because my wife, Lisa (Olivier

’11), and I both got new bosses who are younger than us.

These bosses are people we know——two

young men whom I coached in football at

Northwestern. They grew up in our church,

and now their young families attend as well.

They have earned leadership roles and are thriving as servant-leaders who impact others.

My new boss for my part-time football role is

Brett Moser ’21. He took over as defensive coordina-

tor for the NWC football team last spring and helped mold the defense into the best in the country,

according to several stats and advanced analytical models. Player evaluations highlight his ability to

teach the game and build confidence in his athletes

while keeping faith and family as their top priorities.

My wife’s new boss is Kobe Lutjens ’21. He is in his

first year as elementary principal for Rock Valley Community Schools. Our son, David, (first grade) and

daughter, Johanna, (kindergarten) have also been

able to experience his leadership. They’ve noted his positive energy and passion that help propel student learning. My son also thinks it

is pretty cool that he played football for Northwestern. Mr. Lutjens is a

Raider through and through. In fact, he and his wife, Kylie (Beltman ’23), gave their son the middle name of Raider.

Northwestern continues to build and develop our students to be Christ-

centered servant-leaders. I am only in my mid-30s, but getting “old” has its

benefits. It is a privilege to witness our graduates, no matter their age, continue to serve and impact their homes, churches, workplaces and communities.

Even if that means having a boss who is younger than me.

CLASS NOTES

to win a National Blue Ribbon for placing in the top 15% of all Iowa public schools in standardized testing.

’86

Carol (Swanson) Poston is a pastor/spiritual counselor/ chaplain at Berea College in Kentucky.

Funded by a large endowment and Pell grants, Berea is a work college offering free tuition, focusing on firstgeneration Appalachian and economically disadvantaged students.

Russ Siders, Goodlettsville, Tennessee, is a part-time workplace chaplain with Corporate Chaplains of America. He is also leader of Light for the Nations, a network of congregations in the Alliance of Reformed Churches. His wife, Mindy (Morris ’85), is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Nashville. She is also a Certified First Responder therapist, specializing in trauma therapy, with a focus on Brainspotting.

’87

Rob Gotto and his wife, JoAnn, moved into Orange City’s Kanaal Huis. He is director of senior care services for Orange City Area Health System.

’89

The Rev. Brian Steenhoek is the executive pastor of ministries at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

The Rev. Tim Tjernagel serves as senior pastor at Dover Church in Orange City. He previously served with World Team as a missionary in Spain for 20 years.

’90

Ken Ven Huizen and several other Northwestern alumni were involved in the production of David Bareford’s Live in 3, 2, 1 … at Off Off Broadway in Ashton, Iowa, in November.

King Hickman ’85 directed the comedy about a chaotic first live TV drama in 1939.

Ken was joined in the cast by Lissa LaneJohnson ’14 and Simon Maggert ’26.

’91

Craig De Haan is Primebank’s market president in Sioux Center.

He has spent 18 years in banking, beginning as an ag lending officer at Iowa State Bank in Orange City.

Tim Snyder retired as elementary principal at West Lyon High School in May. In his 24

years in the role, he added TK and preschool.

He also taught for 10 years; served as a bus driver; and coached basketball, volleyball, baseball and football.

’92

Rob Wiese retired after 23 years of service at Kingsley-Pierson School in Kingsley, Iowa, 19 of which he served as a principal. He continues working as a crop adjuster.

’95

Dr. Giovy (Carnet) Sanders earned a Doctor of Education degree from Grand Canyon University. She serves in ministry alongside her husband, Bishop Dennis Sanders, who is the senior pastor of the Terre Haute [Indiana] Church of God.

’96

Brenda (Van Donselaar) De Bruin wrote and illustrated If Henley Had a Honey. The published book is geared toward children ages 3–10 and is available on Amazon.

’97

Mark Covey is the director of the Iowa Department of Corrections Third District. He previously served as the district’s assistant director and has more than 25 years of public safety experience.

’99

Josh Pyle was appointed to the position of deputy assessor/ lead field appraiser for the Webster County Assessor’s Office in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

’01

Jolene (Wostrel) Mathis is a substitute teacher for the Omaha Public Schools.

Julie (Jansen) Oldenkamp was named the Northwest Iowa Review’s 2025 Volleyball Coach of the Year after leading Sioux Center High School to a second place finish in the Class 4A state tournament. The Warriors compiled a 30-5 record.

Jon Van Bruggen and his wife, Taylor (Cook ’04), operate a growing rubber stamp factory, Taylored Expressions, in Ankeny, Iowa.

’02

Steve Hydeen, Gretna, Nebraska, is the education director at the 402 Arts Collective, where he previously served as program director for the acting academy.

’03

Malinda (Burk) Jean Baptiste, a school counseling specialist at the Nebraska Department of Education, was named executive director of the Nebraska School Counselor Association, where she advocates for school counselors in Nebraska.

’05

Paul Poppen of Orange City is the regional manager for NAPA Auto Parts, which opened a store in Orange City in August and has a new location in Sioux Center.

Rebecca (Weeldreyer) Van Roekel received the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She teaches sixth grade mathematics at Brandon Valley [South Dakota] Intermediate School.

’06

Aaron Haverdink is a co-owner of Zeutenhorst Financial in Sioux Center. He joined the firm in 2019 after 12 years as assistant community services director for Sioux County.

Ryan Simmelink is the new elementary principal at Fairview Elementary in Carroll, Iowa.

’07

Jessica Dorhout, a deputy with the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, was honored by the Iowa Association of School Resource Officers on social media in October. The school resource officer for MOC-Floyd Valley, Jessica and her crisis K-9, McGrath, helped to support students in the district after three of their classmates died in a house fire on Labor Day. She and McGrath also comforted students in Rock Valley in September after a high school student was killed in a traffic accident.

’08

Jen (Marks) Gampp serves as technology operations manager for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She lives in Kissimmee, Florida, with her husband, Erick.

Dr. Laura (Rensink) Vander Stelt opened Family Animal Care at its new location in downtown Orange City in August. The next day, Sen. Joni Ernst chose the company as her Small Business of the Week, which highlights businesses in each of Iowa’s 99 counties.

’09

Amanda Kuehn completed a master’s of counseling psychology program at the California Institute of Integral Studies and is employed as an associate marriage and family therapist at One Life Counseling Center in San Carlos, California. She works with transitional age youth and adults, focusing on exploring and reconstructing personal narratives.

Cole Spree, head coach of the Indian Hills Community College men’s wrestling program, was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Starting both men’s and women’s wrestling programs in 2019, he has spearheaded the squads to national prominence. He previously led the Ellsworth Community College men’s program.

’10

Andy Boone received the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, the highest recognition given by the United States government for K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics teaching. He is Gretna [Nebraska] Public Schools’ director of assessment.

Erin (Brogan) Vander Stelt wrote The Dark Mage, a fantasy romance novel. Her husband, Bryce ’11, is pastor of American Reformed Church in Orange City.

Nathan Lichter transitioned to full-time pastoral ministry at Indianola [Iowa] Church of Christ after farming and trucking for 14 years in northwest Iowa.

Keisha (Diephuis) VanWesten is a tour coordinator at Ed-Ventures travel agency in Rochester, Minnesota.

’11

Jessie (Bouma) Huitink graduated with a Master of Social Work degree from Grand Canyon University.

She now serves as a licensed therapist for Plains Area Mental Health Center in Cherokee, Iowa.

Logan Ogden is the director of athletic performance for the University of Iowa men’s basketball program. He most recently worked as the director of strength and conditioning

NORTHWESTERN CLASSIC

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CLASS NOTES

for the University of Utah men’s basketball program.

Michael Shields competed in and won the Trick Shot World Championship hosted by Dude Perfect in February 2025.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Jordan TeGrootenhuis was named the Northwest Iowa Review’s 2024–25 Girls Basketball Coach of the Year after leading the Rock Valley High School team to a 20-4 record and a state tournament berth.

Doug Elrick (center) has received significant recognition recently for his work as a computer forensics pioneer. Most recently, Iowa’s Internet Crimes Against Children bureau named an award after him—— the Doug Elrick Recognition Award for Computer Forensics Excellence.

Prime-Time Investigations Doug Elrick ’87 insists that digital forensics is not quite as thrilling as its television portrayal—that evidence doesn’t magically appear with a click of the computer keyboard, and digging into data isn’t terribly dramatic.

Then he mentions a computer bloodied by a gun homicide. And his attempts to prove six-figure feeder pig fraud: He successfully hacked an encrypted program after discovering that secret access— called “backdoor” in programming lingo—was labeled, incredibly, “backdoor.”

Elrick received the 2024 Spirit of IACIS Award (International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists) for his pioneering work over decades of technological changes.

While at Northwestern, Elrick interned at Iowa’s state crime lab, returning in 1989 as a drug chemist. In 1992, a child abduction case dependent on a mangled floppy disk proved unsolvable, but Elrick caught the computer bug. He led the effort to create what would become the state’s Cyber Crime Bureau, one of the first in the nation.

“People were just starting to have home computers at this time, so we were in on the very beginning of this technology,” he says. “Sometimes, solving the problem may not solve the case, but you know you’re doing something to help the criminal justice system.”

Elrick now shares his stories with students at Des Moines Area Community College. In a perfect plot twist, some of them intern at the Cyber Crime Bureau he created.

by Amy Phillips

50

2025–26

’13

Ben Miller is the associate head coach of Northwestern College’s men’s basketball team after serving as an assistant coach under Kris Korver ’92 since 2016.

Michael O’Brien is an assistant football coach at Drake University and a mental health therapist at FutureU in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Brandon Smith, Mankato, Minnesota, was promoted to president and CEO of Tailwind Group. He joined the real estate company in 2014 and has guided much of its growth as it has become a nationally recognized student housing owner and operator with more than 40 properties in 15 states.

Sadie (Mennen) Wright was selected as the Driver Middle School [Winchester, Indiana] Teacher of the Year for the 2024–25 school year. She has served the school for 10 years.

This past year her golden doodle, Winston, joined her as a certified therapy dog.

’14

Adrianna (Noteboom) Mullins began as a financial representative at Northwestern Mutual, Sioux City, Iowa, in July.

Ashley (VanWyhe) Pena of Blue Springs, Missouri, is a music teacher at Raintree Parents Day Out.

’15

University’s director of men’s basketball athletic performance in April. He has over a decade of performance coaching experience, most recently at Northern Kentucky University, and has coached five NBA draft picks.

Skyler Wheeler was named the Northwest Iowa Review’s 2025 Baseball Coach of the Year after leading the Unity Christian High School team to second place in the Class 2A state championships. The Knights finished 28-10 in his fourth year as head coach, winning 25 of their last 29 games.

’16

Michaela Gibson graduated from Northwestern’s clinical mental health counseling program in 2024 and now works as a therapist at Mosaic Family Counseling Center in Urbandale, Iowa.

Jenna (Kitchenmaster) Richardson is an internal project evaluator at the Crittenton Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Natalie Wheeler is the director of discipleship for Northwestern’s campus ministry department. She previously served as a resident director at NWC. Anthony Wubben is a student success specialist for the Eagle Grove [Iowa] Community School District.

’18

Lynae Dadisman was named one of Sioux Falls Business’ 30 Under 30 for her early career achievements and promise for future leadership. She serves as a business analyst, risk services analytics, at Premier Bankcard.

Jacob deVries is the portfolio manager at Central Bank in Urbandale, Iowa.

Blake Eichmann is the activities director for the city of Rock Valley, Iowa.

Dr. Brett Guthmiller joined Orange City Area Health System’s anesthesia medical group this fall. He provides services for the Surgical Center, Birth Center and Pain Management Clinic.

Colton Kooima is Northwestern College’s ninth men’s basketball head coach. He served as the lead assistant at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, last year, following three years as an assistant at NWC.

Tyler Janota was named Penn State

Justin Kraft opened the Kraftygolf Studio, a

CLASS NOTES

golf training facility in Plymouth, Minnesota.

In October, he was named the No. 1 golf instructor in the state of Minnesota by Golf Digest.

Mallory (Bjork) Larga teaches English/ language arts at the Sioux Central Community School District in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. She previously taught in the Philippines for four years.

Conner Ubben owns and operates four companies in the Des Moines area: Door Desk Deliveries, Half-Price Appliance, Red-EBins Des Moines and 99 Spoons. He and his wife, Amanda, live in Bondurant, Iowa.

When Josh Vander Zwaag was vacationing with his parents in Italy last spring, he was able to get together with one of his host brothers from his participation in the Romania Semester in 2017.

’19

Bradley Mould is a senior accountant with the Robert Half recruitment agency in Minneapolis.

special education teacher and coach in the West Lyon School District.

Danica Bang is a content specialist for the marketing and communications office at Northwestern.

The Rev. Vanessa (Stokes) Funk is pastor at the Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack [New York] and administrative coordinator for the Reformed Church in America’s General Synod Office.

Luke Hughes is the new police chief for the Paullina [Iowa] Police Department. He previously served as a park ranger with Plymouth County Conservation, along with part-time law enforcement roles in Hinton and Akron.

Matthias Johnson teaches school readiness for Independent School District 518 in Worthington, Minnesota. He earned a master’s degree in early childhood education from Grand Canyon University in 2024.

Camryn (Cleveringa) Reinking opened Good Bowls Acai in Sioux Center, Iowa, combining her passion for healthy bodies and healthy minds.

Jadeyn Schutt is a personal banker at Security National Bank in Orange City. She is also an assistant volleyball coach at MOCFloyd Valley High School.

Skylar Tumbleson now lives in Evanston, Illinois.

’24

Ella Van Zee is an elementary ESL teacher in the Rock Valley [Iowa] Community School District.

’25

Marissa Leraas is the costume studio supervisor at Northwestern College, where she also serves as an assistant for the Honors Program and the graduate counseling programs.

NEW ARRIVALS

Jen and Philip Brinks ’05, daughter, Magnolia Joy, joins Oliver (5) Miranda and Dan Laaveg ’07, twins, Micah Joel and Aliza Lynn Jana and John Top ’08, daughter, Grace Dominic Seivert was named branch manager Evonne, joins Caleb (11), Abigail (9), Isaac and community banking officer for Security (7) and Nathan (4) National Bank in Sheldon, Iowa, after serving Ryan and Jessica (Jenkins ’08) Voelker, the company as an agricultural services daughter, Lydia Grace, joins Laney (3) Jason Van Dyke published a representative for three years.

Jessica (Vander Velde ’10) and Tyler Glanbook, Rules for (My) Life: The zer ’10, son, Beckett Knox, joins Savannah Beginner’s Guide to Living a Life You Love.

Maren Taylor earned an M.F.A. in lighting (13), Owen (11), Emmitt (8), Amaya (6) A former software developer, he decided design and technology at West Virginia and Ivy (4) to write the book for the same reason he University. She now works for Disney Live Andrew and Jenna (Sorensen ’11) Bents, is pursuing a master’s degree in marriage Entertainment in Anaheim, California, as an son, Ezekiel, joins Samuel (11), Autumn and family counseling at South Dakota State associate lighting designer.

(7) and Daniel (3) University: He enjoys helping people choose Sarah (Bartz ’12) and David Bruxvoort how they want to live.

Izaak Hoey is a school resource ’13, son, Caleb Alan, joins Isaac (9) and officer at Sioux Center [Iowa] Norah (7) Caprice Anderson, English Christian School. He previously worked with Todd and Jill (Weitgenant ’12) Isaacson, teacher at Riceville [Iowa] daughter, Eleanor Mae Community School District, received the Barb the Lake County Sheriff’s Office in South Dakota and the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office Arendt and Tara Woodward Bosman ’13, Schubert Award from the Iowa Council of as a correctional officer. He has served with the daughter, Sophia Jo Therine Teachers of English. This honor recognizes Rachel (Lynn ’13) and Matt Honken ’15, one outstanding early-career English teacher Iowa National Guard for eight years. twins, Edyn Christine and Audrey Tylene, each year.

Shaylee (Yates) Boone is the join Iris (7) and Asa (5) operations coordinator for the Mitchell and Megan (Rustad ’14) Erickson, Kadie (Bauer) Bakker is pursuing a master’s son, Everett Lee marketing and communications office at degree in administration with a principal Courtney (Kroeze ’14) and Nick Hengst Northwestern. endorsement at Northwestern. She is a

Parker Mulder is the head boys basketball coach at MOC-Floyd Valley High School, where he also teaches physical education and health classes. He previously taught and coached at Des Moines Christian for two years, and then at Spirit Lake for three years.

Kobe Lutjens is the principal at Rock Valley Elementary School. He previously taught at Rock Valley and Boyden-Hull.

’20 ’21

’22 ’23

’14, daughter, Halle Grace Nicholas Borneke and Layce Johnson ’14, daughter, Ezra Quinn Borneke Megan Weidner ’14 and Sean Hegdahl, son, Matthew Ryan Taliaferro, joins Iris (8) Kellie (Goedken ’15) and Chad Den Hartog ’16, daughter, Millie Mae, joins Elsie (5) and Aubree (3) Michael and Jennifer (Koehn ’15) Haugaard, daughter, Zoey Renae, joins Levi (5) and Owen (3) Hannah and Joesph Hendershott ’15, son, Dacre Leroy, joins Linley (5), Ruthie (4) and Mercy (2) Camil and Jill (Lemke ’15) Realubit, son, Maximilian Cenon Elizabeth and Zachary Fishman ’16, son, Crew Bennett Mariah (Diekevers ’16) and Ryan Penny ’14, son, Beau David, joins Kyah (2) Adam and Tracey (Steffen ’16) Schirmer, son, Ike Lee Brandon and Emily (Bokowski ’17) Broschat, son, Graham Patrick Alecia (Olson ’17) and Isaac Heard ’17, son, Levi Everett, joins Noah (4) Michael and Devin (Jorde ’17) Heiling, son, Nolan David Kalyn and Colin Pennings ’17, daughter, Kacie Joy Luis Rivera-Santiago ’17 and Morgan (Tilgner ’19) Rivera, son, Luca Anthony Caleb and Jessica (Howe ’18) Brower, son, Finneas Illiad, joins Ellis (2) Anna and Keaton Hettver ’18, son, Rory Matthew Paige and Tanner Hilbrands ’18, daughter, Hattie Lynn Erin and Taylor Kooi ’18, daughter, Olivia Jude Jordyn (Oostra ’18) and Colton Kooima ’18, daughter, Peyton Grace, joins Calvin (2) Katie (Elliott ’18) and Justin Kraft ’18, daughter, Emma Kay Enric and Mallory (Bjork ’18) Larga, daughter, Tahanan Rosalie Jamie (Jongerius ’18) and Cole Prescott ’19, daughter, Cora Jean, joins Judah (4) and Haven (2) Jessi (Carver ’19) and Joseph Kelly ’19, daughter, Thea Rose, joins Elle (4) and Ezra (2) Eric and Jessica (Mulder ’19) Visscher, daughter, Spencer Elaine

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RICKERS PHOTOGRAPHY

CLASS NOTES

Sharon Johnson was honored with Forward Worthington’s 2024 Inspirational Woman Award for her decades-long efforts to make it easier for ethnically diverse high schoolers to earn a teaching degree.

Award-Winning Resilience Sharon (Olson ’90) Johnson has faced tremendous personal and professional challenges: enduring the death of her husband, Jeff Johnson ’86; battling two bouts of cancer; and taking the reins of Jeff ’s jewelry store right when a century-old ceiling beam threatened to wreck the business.

Yet she found the strength to continue a 20-year pursuit of educational pathways to inspire the young people in her diverse Minnesota community.

As community education director for the Worthington school district, Johnson recognized a need to address the cultural barriers faced by ethnically diverse high schoolers wanting to attend college, such as language and a limited ability to travel. Working diligently with a team since the early 2000s, she created a pipeline from an area community college to a teaching degree at a local university. About 100 students currently take part. Although there is no requirement to work in Worthington following graduation, six teachers of color have returned to the district that nurtured them.

Last April, Johnson received Forward Worthington’s 2024 Inspirational Woman Award for her resilience and accomplishments in the face of adversity.

“There is value in making choices like these—choosing acts of service to your community and to individual people,” Johnson says.

“I find that work to be powerful and life-changing.”

by Amy Phillips

52

2025–26

Makayla (Tjernagel ’20) and Tim Czirr ’22, son, Titus Duwaine, joins Shiloh (2) Justin and Kelsey (Lang '20) Hullman, daughter, Lottie Beth Kaylee (Henn ’20) and Colin Jorde ’20, daughter, Lenora Austin and Halle (Van Vark ’20) Rapier, son, Elliott Taylor, joins Mattingly (3) Autumn (Muilenburg ’21) and Brody Dauer ’23, son, Theodore James Abigail (Moody ’21) and John Kaucher ’20, son, Isaac David, joins Elijah (2) Zebulon and Alyssa (Pierce '21) Palmer, daughter, Ellory May Mia (Hoogeveen ’21) and Mitchell Rentschler ’22, son, Rhodes Mitchell Brittany (Kuiper ’21) and Jonah Tews ’22, daughter, Hazel Ann Julia (Goodburn ’21) and Jack Vander Stelt ’21, son, Asher John Amber and Korbyn Gramstad ’22, son, Graesyn Norman Makayla (Bjork ’22) and Isaac Grev ’24, son, Juddson Jabez Vonnie and Benjamin Akers ’23, daughter, Harbor Jo Kylie (Beltman ’23) and Kobe Lutjens ’21, son, Ryker Raider Austin and Amber (Hathaway '23) Theis, son, Maverick Joseph

MARRIAGES Byrla Rensink ’73 and Curt Swanson, Lakeville, Minnesota Brandi Miller and Josh Pyle ’99, Fort Dodge, Iowa Amy Commers ’06 and Blair Nelson, Apple Valley, Minnesota Aleah Stenberg ’11 and Eli Johnson, Big Lake, Minnesota Rachael Thomas and Caleb Hawks ’15, Indianapolis, Indiana Jenna Kitchenmaster ’16 and Jacob Richardson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota Elizabeth Glover ’19 and Evan Wiens, Seale, Alabama Audrey Leyen ’22 and Ryan Punt, Orange City, Iowa Madysn Grotewold ’23 and Tanner Oleson ’22, Larchwood, Iowa Allison Haverdink ’23 and Aaron Eckmann ’23, Orange City, Iowa Ashtyn Billings ’26 and Elijah Weaver ’25, Orange City, Iowa

IN MEMORIAM Henrietta (Maassen ’42) Muilenburg died June 23 at age 102 in Orange City. She taught elementary school and also worked as an aide with CHEARS Home Health and Hospice. She received the Community Service Award in 2012 for her volunteer work in Sioux Center.

Lois (De Boer ’45) Te Brink, age 98, died Jan. 31, 2025, in Orange City. A former country school teacher, she played organ at Alton Reformed Church for nearly 80 years and gave piano lessons to numerous students.

Velma (Van Driel ’47) Boonstra of Spencer, Iowa, died July 16 at age 97. She taught kindergarten and first grade before becoming the magistrate court clerk for Sioux County.

Merle Van Klompenburg ’49 of Orange City died April 11 at age 94. After serving in the Army as a mechanics teacher, he started the Soft Water Service Company and later began farming.

Florence (Rienstra ’52) Hunter of Des Moines, age 93, died Sept. 30. She taught for more than 50 years at George [Iowa] Community School and Holy Trinity Catholic School in Des Moines. She received the 2008–09 Golden Apple Award from WHO-TV. The Rev. Wesley “Wes” Kiel ’52 of Holland, Michigan, died Sept. 25 at age 92. He served Reformed churches in Cleveland, Ohio; Edmonds, Washington; and Sioux Center, Iowa.

He retired in 1998 after 19 years at Christ Memorial Church in Holland, Michigan.

Hazel (Sprik ’52) Nibbelink, age 90, died on March 29, 2025, in Hawarden, Iowa. For more than 50 years, she was a top salesperson for Fuller Brush, working until she retired at age 84. She also served on the county cancer board, including time as the secretary.

Shirley (Spyker ’52) Vogel, 93, died Dec. 21 in Orange City. She and her husband, Art ’50, ran The Old Factory in Orange City for many years.

CLASS NOTES

ley, Iowa, where her family opened the Towne House Restaurant and she was a cook.

Nelva (Keunen ’53) Cunningham of Colorado Springs, Colorado, died Nov. 15 at age 91. She worked as an administrative assistant for various organizations.

Lila (Top ’56) Netten, age 88, died March 13, 2025. She lived in California before moving to Story City, Iowa, where she taught first grade, and eventually settled in Bloomington, Minnesota. She served as a deacon and sang in the chancel choir at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church.

Audrey (Heemstra ’54) Landegent, Orange City, died March 26, 2025, at age 91.

She worked for the Sioux Falls Public Schools as an education assistant for 20 years, with most of her time spent at Oscar Howe Elementary School.

Wyonne (Markus ’57) Walking died Oct. 4 in Ainsworth, Nebraska. She was 89 years old. She taught in Imlay City, Michigan, and Lakeview and Rosebud, South Dakota. She received the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers Award in 2000 and retired in 2004.

Arlene (Roos ’54) Lubbers, age 90, of Orange City died April 2. After receiving her teaching certificate, she spent two years teaching second grade in Rock Rapids.

She wrote numerous essays for the weekly column “A Farmer’s Wife Writes” in the Sioux City Journal, most of which were published by her granddaughters and children in a book titled Grandma’s Stories.

Arloa (Korver ’58) Te Stroete, age 87, died Aug. 16 in Sioux Center, Iowa. She was a kindergarten teacher before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She continued to assist in kindergarten classrooms and was active in her church.

Chuck Lubbers ’54, age 91, of Orange City, died Aug. 10. He served with the Army in Germany before returning to his family’s farmstead, where he spent the winter months working for Groen Plumbing and Heating.

He later worked for more than 20 years as a school bus driver.

Herlan Schut ’54 died Jan. 29, 2025, at age 92 in Sioux Center, Iowa. He served two years in the Army and returned home to farm for more than 60 years. He served on Northwestern’s board of trustees and in 1994 received the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Service to Northwestern College Award.

Verle Duistermars ’55 died Dec. 4 in Orange City at age 90. He taught and coached at Floyd Valley and MOC-Floyd Valley High School for 39 years. He taught driver’s education and, following his retirement, worked full time as a crop adjuster for Farm Bureau.

Priscilla (Statema ’56) Huizenga of Orange City died at the age of 89 on Jan. 21, 2025.

She taught at the intermediate school in Volga, South Dakota, then moved to Rock Val-

John Monson ’59 died at age 85 on Dec. 16, 2024. He owned and operated Tri-County Plumbing, Heating & Electric in Forest City, Iowa, after which he worked as the property manager for his church until retirement. He served on the Winnebago County Conservation Board for 28 years.

Bill Roelofs ’59 of Sioux Center, Iowa, died Dec. 23 at age 87. After working several years in education, he embarked upon a 29-year career at American State Bank. He also operated Roelofs Store for 41 years.

Harold Van Wettering ’59, age 86, died Oct. 2 in Sioux Center, Iowa. He began his career at Hospers Savings Bank, which was later purchased by American State Bank. He worked many years in the Hospers branch before finishing his career in Sioux Center as a compliance officer and director of fun.

Frieda (Brower ’60) Massey died Aug. 5 in Raleigh, North Carolina, at age 84. She worked at Pitt County Department of Social Services for more than 30 years and was active in her church.

Fred Dykstra ’61, age 86, died Dec. 23 in Orange City. He was a lifetime member of the

HEIDI KING

Rolene (Brouwer ’53) Breed died Oct. 13, at age 92, in Omaha, Nebraska. She taught elementary children and developed the preschool at Westwood Church in Omaha, where she served as director for 18 years.

Tyler and Kristin Tigges helped plant a multicultural church in London, England.

A Global Calling Missionaries Kristin (Neth ’11) and Tyler Tigges ’09 trace their vocational journey back to Coach Woudstra and Coach Korver, who inspired them as Raider athletes to make a positive impact not only on the basketball court, but on the world.

Today, the couple plants multicultural churches an ocean away.

In 2022, the Tiggeses moved their young family to London, England, where their host organization, Antioch Ministries International, had already planted roots. The couple started Sunday morning “pub church” the first month they arrived, attracting seekers in their 20s and early 30s. After outgrowing three local taverns, the flock of 80-plus sought out a larger venue.

Throughout the week, neighbors from nearly every continent meet in house churches for discipleship and Bible study—and for free hot chocolate. One churchgoer offered her café for outreach to express her gratitude to God and the community.

The movement they’ve built reminds Kristin of reading Revelation 7 while in college and being struck by the image of every nation standing before God. “We’re seeing a glimpse into that,” Kristin says. “It feels like a beautiful gift to be able to see people doing what God created them to do. It’s a dream that was planted inside us during our years at NWC, and now we’re seeing it in real life.”

by Amy Phillips

NORTHWESTERN CLASSIC

53

CLASS NOTES

Orange City Fire Department and served for many years as fire chief.

James “Jim” Balkema ’62 of Englewood, Colorado, died June 14 at age 87. He served as president of United Supply Company in Denver and was active in Christian ministries, including serving as a Gideon.

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Dr. Gerrit “Gary” Bleeker ’63 died June 7 at age 82. He earned a doctorate in English from the University of Nebraska and embarked on a decades-long academic career in Emporia, Kansas, as a professor and administrator.

James Bolger helped lead Drogheda United to the 2024 championship of the Football Association of Ireland Cup. He’s also featured in the world’s most famous soccer video game, FC24.

From Setback to Silverware When James Bolger ’23 earned a spot in a youth soccer academy in his native Ireland, it seemed he had a clear path to a professional career.

The route soon took a twist.

“I played with them for about two years until I injured my knee,” he says.

The injury cost Bolger his roster spot, and efforts to join other academies fizzled. Instead, he tried out for an agency that places athletes with American colleges. That’s how Northwestern found him.

Bolger played 68 games as a Red Raider midfielder, scoring 18 goals and contributing seven assists. He then spent a year as a graduate transfer at a school in Virginia. Still, his path to a pro career remained hazy, partly because American soccer teams have caps on international players.

Bolger finally caught a break while on spring break in Mexico.

His agency unexpectedly called to invite him to a European showcase. That event led to a contract with a Swedish club, which in turn opened the door to a contract with Irish team Drogheda United. In 2024, Drogheda won the Football Association of Ireland Cup. Bolger could not stop smiling as he walked onto the field for the championship match in front of 38,000 fans. He simply tried to enjoy the moment.

“Everything just worked out so well.”

by Jared K alt wasser

54

2025–26

Kenneth Slothouber ’63 of Grinnell, Iowa, died at age 85 on Sept. 4. He taught math in Oakland and Audubon, Iowa, where he also coached junior high girls basketball. After 12 years in education, he was elected as county auditor, first in Audubon County and later Jasper County.

Marv Vander Veen ’64 of Orange City died at age 78 on June 9. He was a member of the National Guard for a few years and worked as a dispatcher in the Sioux County Sheriff’s Department for 27 years. He worked part time as a groundskeeper at Northwestern from 2012 to 2021.

Gene Groen ’65, Rock Rapids, Iowa, died July 15 at age 81. He spent most of his years farming on the family farm and hauled cattle from Montana. He was also a pastor at Emmanuel First United Presbyterian Church near Rushmore, Minnesota.

The Rev. Richard Koerselman ’65, age 81, of Medina, Minnesota, died May 6. He served as a pastor in New Jersey and started churches in Texas and Arizona. He retired from New Hope Community Church in Gilbert at age 65 and later served for 11 years as pastor of Sunland Village East Chapel in Mesa.

Sharon (Muyskens ’65) Vander Schaaf died in Sanborn, Iowa, on Jan. 31, 2025, at age 85. She taught first grade in Newkirk before becoming a stay-at-home wife and mother for several years. She then became a librarian until she retired and was active in children’s and women’s ministries at her church in Boyden, Iowa.

Richard “Dick” Manders ’66 died April 17 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, at age 80. He operated stained glass shops in Germantown and Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and sold his works at art and craft shows across the Midwest. He also taught glass art at Waukesha County Technical Institute and Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Gene Perkins ’66, age 83, died Oct. 13 in Mason City, Iowa. After earning a master’s degree in history at Mankato State University, he taught and coached in Irwin, Tripoli, Lake Mills and Britt, Iowa.

James Zinmaster ’67, age 81, died Feb. 1, 2025, in Sun City, Arizona. He served in the Air Force as a missile launch officer in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and worked for Best Locking Systems for 31 years before retiring in Littleton, Colorado.

Terry Arends ’68 of Orange City, age 79, died May 3. He was an Army squad leader in Vietnam, receiving the Bronze Star and Air Medal. He spent 36 years teaching and coaching, initially as an English teacher at Maurice-Orange City High School, followed by 29 years at Sheldon High School.

Barbara (Zevenbergen ’69) Givens died June 13 in Montgomery, Minnesota, at age 78. She taught middle school English in Stillwater, Minnesota, and later helped the Givens’ Family Best Lock Business. She was an active church and ministry volunteer.

Duane Jenner ’69 died Feb.18, 2025, in Pierre, South Dakota, at age 78. He served in Vietnam as a medical supply clerk. He then spent 37 years with the South Dakota Department of Social Services, working in child protection and foster care.

Myrna (Muilenburg ’69) Kryger, age 78, died Aug. 29 in Racine, Wisconsin. After teaching English to university students in Taiwan for 14 months, she served as a clinical social worker at Lutheran Social Services and Family Service of Racine for nearly 35 years.

Harley McDowell ’69 of Webster City, Iowa, died April 18 at age 79. He taught math and coached at Remsen-Union, Malvern and Belmond schools during his 21-year career.

He also served as an EMT for 10 years.

CLASS NOTES

The Rev. David Schreuder ’70 died Dec. 23 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, at age 77. He served churches in Michigan and California before becoming secretary for General Synod operations for the Reformed Church in America. He concluded his career as executive director for Mobility Opportunities in Bakersfield, California.

Ivan Wiersema ’70, age 77, of Cherokee, Iowa, died Sept. 15. He worked at Cherokee State Bank for 46 years.

Ruth (Burggraaff ’72) Bowman, age 74, died April 29 in Hutchinson, Minnesota. She worked as an orphanage house parent at the Juliette Fowler Children’s Home in Dallas, Texas, and then as a top manager for the Southland Corporation in University Park, Texas. She eventually moved to Minnesota and worked as a paraeducator and served as an advocate for domestic abuse victims in the court system.

Charlene “Char” (Van Zanten ’72) Granstra of Rock Valley, Iowa, died May 31 at age 74. She worked at Kooima Manufacturing for many years before becoming a financial adviser. She served on several community boards, including the city council.

Leon “Lee” Schemper ’72 of Sheldon, Iowa, died Nov. 26 at age 77. He worked at Byron Center State Bank in Michigan before returning to Sheldon to work at O’Brien County Implement. He also served as an elder and deacon at Immanuel Reformed Church in Sheldon.

Joan (Blom ’73) Strauss, age 76, of Elkader, Iowa, died Dec. 9, 2024. She taught music in Strawberry Point and Fayette, Iowa, and taught piano for 40 years.

Beverly (Moss ’74) Heemstra of Spirit Lake, Iowa, died July 21 at age 73. She was a nurse and later worked with special needs preschool students in Le Mars, Iowa.

David Donaldson ’75 died Feb. 18, 2025, in Spencer, Iowa, at age 71. He spent several years farming and raising livestock before accepting a position at what is now Village Northwest in Sheldon, Iowa. He later became a case manager for the Iowa Department of Human Services.

Margene (Fikse ’75) Halley of North Aurora, Illinois, died May 15 at age 70. She was a public school teacher for several years and earned a master’s degree as a reading specialist. She also worked at a retirement community and finished her career working at the TEAM missions agency.

Richard “Dick” Henrich ’76 of Emmetsburg, Iowa, died June 16 at age 74. A Navy veteran, he operated the family rendering works business following his time at NWC. His love of archery led him to develop a stabilizer that was used in the Olympics biathlon competition.

Keith Koele ’77 died in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on March 4, 2025, at age 72. He had a long career as a pipeline technician.

Michael “Mike” Newman ’79, age 70, died June 16 in La Vista, Nebraska. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha. He spent more than 40 years as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, working in the long-term disability insurance industry and running a successful private practice.

The Rev. Mark Bush ’80 died Sept. 25 at age 68. He served as pastor of Covenant Community Church in Muskegon Heights, Michigan, from 1984 until his retirement in 2022.

Robert DeYoung ’80, age 68, died Nov. 24 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He worked in youth ministry for 11 years in Illinois, Wisconsin and California. He later moved to southwest Iowa, where he became a registered nurse and cared for others through hospice, home health, public health and wound care.

Deborah (Du Bois ’83) Hegstrom, 64, died Sept. 17. She began her career at Bethphage Mission in Axtell, Nebraska, before taking on many roles in motherhood: chef, nurse, teacher and taxi driver.

The Rev. David Tellinghuisen ’83 died June 13 in Sioux City, Iowa, at age 63. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary and served Reformed churches in Montgomery, New York; Hawarden, Iowa; and Bradenton, Florida. He later served as a transitional pastor in Illinois, Wisconsin and Florida.

Mark Vander Ploeg ’85 of Primghar, Iowa, died Aug. 10 at age 67. He worked for IBM as a software engineer and later became a hotel owner and operator in Primghar. He also did mission work and taught English in Ukraine.

Joanna Williams ’87 died June 22 at age 60. After earning a Master of Divinity degree at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, she shared the gospel with youth in New York City through Young Life. She worked in risk management at Royal Bank of Canada in Mississauga for 24 years and was very active in ministry to youth at risk in the Toronto area.

Dirk Bak ’91 of Hinton, Iowa, age 57, died May 7. A member of the Iowa Army National Guard, he worked as the service manager at Bak Honda Suzuki Kubota for 10 years before pursuing his passion of teaching. He was awarded Teacher of the Year as a third-grade teacher in Le Mars, Iowa, and later taught motorcycle and powersports repair at Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City. When the program ended, he founded Dirk Bak Repair.

Lisa Prichard ’91 of Ames, Iowa, died March 11 at age 55. She earned her law degree from the University of Iowa and worked for Willkie Farr & Gallagher in New York and Washington, D.C., and for McGuireWoods in Baltimore, Maryland.

Heather James ’92 died Sept. 6 in Ames, Iowa, at age 56. She volunteered at Mary Greeley Medical Center, where she helped families in the ICU waiting room, as well as for the Iowa Games and Iowa Special Olympics.

Glenn Greenfield ’94 of Sibley, Iowa, died at age 54 on July 17. He worked in banking, construction, insurance and built his own business, Greenfield Insurance.

Kathleen Kropp ’09 died in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 29 at age 38. She earned a master’s degree in music therapy at Colorado State University and used her gifts in music to bring joy to hospice patients, the elderly and disabled individuals.

Rebekah Wicks ’13, age 33, died Aug. 17 in Waterloo, Iowa. She earned a master’s degree in elementary education and taught second grade at Orange Elementary in Waterloo.

Aden De Jong ’25 of Orange City died Feb. 3, 2025, at age 22. He was pursuing degrees in biology and secondary education with a coaching endorsement. He was a student coach for the Raiders baseball team and a peer tutor. He also coached area youth baseball teams.

Sarah Van Ostrand ’28 of Struble, Iowa, died Sept. 13 at age 19. She worked at Scooter’s in Orange City and was pursuing a degree in biblical counseling.

Gordon Brumels, professor emeritus of mathematics, died Sept. 22 in Orange City at age 98. He was a member of the faculty from 1964 to 1988. He also managed NWC’s bookstore for many years and ran the scorer’s table for Raider basketball and football games.

Dr. Carl Vandermeulen, 81, who was a fulltime faculty member in the English and communication departments for 25 years before retiring in 2009, died Dec. 11 in Menomonie, Wisconsin. He published Negotiating the Personal in Creative Writing in 2011 and served as a Dunn County supervisor for several years.

LET US KNOW: Email your news for the next Classic by Dec. 15 to classic@nwciowa.edu.

Joel Boersma ’99, age 48, of Orange City, died Nov. 8. He taught sixth grade math and coached football, wrestling and baseball through the years at MOC-Floyd Valley Middle School.

Jonathan Schuiteman ’06 of Orange City, age 41, died Feb. 13, 2025. He owned Quiznos in Orange City which later became Johnny’s Place. He then worked for the Northwestern NEXT program.

NORTHWESTERN CLASSIC

55

Classic Thoughts When Trauma Travels

by R achael Wit tern ’08

In 2023, I brought my family to a light-building event hosted by my church. The purpose was to provide hope and material support for Ukrainians impacted by the war.

As I left, I briefly spoke with the organizer, Dave Nonnemacher (former director of residence life), who I remembered from my time as a student.

The next day Dave called me. He had learned I was trained as a trauma psychologist. There were many Ukrainian refugees in Sioux County, he said.

Many were experiencing significant stress related to war and displacement. Could I help?

As a former active-duty military psychologist, I was no stranger to treating war trauma. However, I had limited experience with displacement-related stressors and didn’t speak a word of the Ukrainian language. Who was I to be of any help?

Despite my initial reservations, I agreed to meet with several Ukrainians to discuss the possibility of starting a support group. Every couple of weeks, a small group of us would meet to talk. The initial conversations focused on cultural adjustment and life in northwest Iowa. Soon discussions turned more personal, and as disclosure increased, I began to notice recurring themes of guilt among participants.

The link between trauma-related guilt and negative mental health outcomes is established among U.S. veterans, but little published research exists on trauma-related guilt in displaced populations. After consulting with other mental health professionals and realizing we all had unanswered questions about how to best assist the displaced people in our communities, I decided to survey those in my group about their current mental health and needs.

God had bigger plans, apparently, and in ways I would never have imagined, I was connected with a wonderful research team—including several NWC students—and project funding. Together, we created an online survey for Ukrainians who had been displaced to the U.S. In 2024, 175 participants completed questionnaires on several topics, including trauma, guilt and mental health outcomes.

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2025–26

Our survey revealed that participants had experienced, on average, four types of potentially traumatic events related to war and displacement. Cumulative exposure to potentially traumatic or stressful events increases one’s vulnerability to developing mental health disorders. Thus, given the level of reported traumatic event exposure, it wasn’t surprising that many of the displaced Ukrainians reported clinically concerning levels of symptoms on several measures.

However, exposure to potentially traumatic experiences alone does not explain why some individuals develop impairing levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms and some do not. Our results suggested that participants’ level of trauma-related guilt partially explained the relationship between the number of experienced trauma types and severity of mental health symptoms.

Two types of guilt appeared to be most important: wrongdoing and hindsight bias. Wrongdoing is a belief that one engaged in actions that went against one’s values. For example, one may feel guilt for leaving behind family members. Hindsight bias is a belief that one should have predicted an outcome of a decision; for example, one may feel guilt for not leaving the country earlier. Both can be what trauma therapists call non-adaptive guilt, as it is unlikely to have any perfect options in the face of war, and no human can accurately predict the future.

This research points to some important action steps: Communities and churches should consider ways to help reduce the stressors for refugees. These could include offering assistance with housing, food and/or finances. Additionally, helping connect refugees with mental health professionals trained in the treatment of trauma may reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Dr. Rachael Wittern, assistant professor of psychology, received extensive training in evidence-based trauma treatments in her work as an Army and Veterans Affairs psychologist.

We’re Raiders.

And Raiders stand out.

We’re called to be different— and to make a difference.

To matter—and succeed in ways that matter.

Raiders lead + serve.

We’re smart + strong.

Courageous + faithful.

We build community + experience belonging.

We achieve—not for ourselves, but because excellence honors God and serves others.

We’re equipped.

For our careers.

For God‘s call on our lives.

For success.

For significance.

Because we’re Raiders.

And #RaidersStandOut.

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Hear from standout Raiders at nwciowa.edu/StandOutStories.

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Formed after last year’s winning NC/DC band, Second Rate Sound, retired, A-Line brought together returning musicians and new members to create something joyful. That vision became a dynamic, 11-member ensemble that earned Northwestern a second straight title in the enduring competition

between NWC and Dordt musicians.

With limited time between rounds and an evolving lineup, the band of NWC students leaned into adaptability and teamwork, finding ways to highlight each member’s strengths. Their performances—from Lady Gaga’s

Shallow and Adele’s Skyfall to a high-energy finals set featuring The Greatest Show—focused on putting on a show that brought the whole band to life.

“Every rehearsal and performance was just a blast,” says vocalist Mary Britten, a member of both Second Rate Sound and A-Line.

LUCY YOUNG

Sound in Sync “We were able to try new things and really enjoy making music together.” That shared joy defined A-Line’s season and made their victory a true celebration.