Northwestern Pilot | 2021

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Northwestern hosted in-person commencement ceremonies for the first time since December 2019, conferring 333 degrees on May 14–15, 2021.

For Such a Time as This

ABOUT THE PILOT Just over 100 years ago, a handful of Northwestern students launched a new school publication and called for name suggestions, promising a two-pound box of candy for the contest winner. Two months later, the newsletter bore its new moniker: Northwestern Pilot. First published on November 17, 1920, the Northwestern Pilot began as an outgrowth of the then Northwestern Bible College’s English

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department with the goal of promoting interest in school activities. It was a four-page school newspaper with articles on class updates, missionaries, poetry, and devotional literature. Fast-forward to 2021: the Pilot, now 436 issues strong, has progressed to a full-length magazine that showcases God’s faithfulness, telling the stories of current students, alumni, faculty, and the state of the institution.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS ON THE MOVE Dr. Alan Cureton

The words resonated throughout the room.

People nodded their heads in agreement because they understood the truth woven within the words:

In recent months, the university has received story after story, example after example, situation after situation, of Northwestern alumni being the hands and feet of Christ—being difference-makers! They are providing food, shelter, assistance, counsel, leadership, and love. Simply, seeking ways to convey the love of Christ, in word and deed, because of their firm foundation in Christ.

“It is in times of adversity, not prosperity, that one’s faith in Christ is strengthened, deepened.” —Ron Blue In times of adversity, people become astutely aware of their need for God. When someone accepts the reality that life’s circumstances are not always controllable, it may drive them to seek spiritual guidance. When followers of Christ are conscious of that reality, we realize we need the Lord’s help and strength.

Simultaneously, staff from each Northwestern Media ministry station are sharing examples of how a song or a word spoken on the air provides hope and encouragement at the right time in listeners’ lives.

Since the early months of These testimonies of impact 2020, our nation has faced are coming from prisoners, significant challenges of single mothers, widows, Photo: Bethany Barrette adversity. Pandemic. Civil long-haul truck drivers, unrest. Political unrest. Unexpected deaths. Financial commuters—from every walk of life. The Lord is using our loss. Isolation. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the known. media teams, through the airwaves, to be difference-makers.

Yet, amidst the varying challenges of adversity, something unexpected is happening.

Let me encourage you to also be like Esther. If you see a need, act. If you are given an opportunity, respond. If you Hope is emerging. Lives are being impacted and drawn to can make a difference in the life of just one person, do it. the realization of needing spiritual help and forgiveness.

As I see it, the Spirit of God is on the move.

As followers of Christ, we have opportunities during times of adversity to be His hands and feet. During the tests of adversity, the Holy Spirit is providing opportunities to serve, to minister, to love, and to pray. But, like Queen Esther, we must act. In times like these, as Christ’s followers, we can be difference-makers.

Dr. Alan Cureton President

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is published by the Office of Institutional Advancement University of Northwestern – St. Paul 3003 Snelling Avenue North St. Paul, MN 55113-1598 651-631-5100 | unwsp.edu/pilot Letters and comments may be sent to advancement@unwsp.edu To submit future story ideas, visit unwsp.edu/pilotstories

INSTITUTIONAL ADMINISTRATION Alan S. Cureton, Ph.D. President, University and Media

TRUSTING IN THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD Queen Esther, a Jew who was placed into a position of royalty among King Ahasuerus’s court, was faced with a predicament. Haman, Ahasuerus's principal minister, had convinced the king to allow for the general annihilation of Jews throughout the Persian Empire. The new queen could risk her own life by approaching the king unsummoned or remain silent and watch her people perish.

Esther’s cousin Mordecai pushed the queen to approach Ahasuerus, in hopes that the Jewish population could be saved. While Mordecai’s faith was in the Lord, he appealed to Esther: For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14 NIV)

April Moreton, Ph.D., CFRE VP, Institutional Advancement

Both Mordecai and Esther were essential characters in this story. Mordecai, who had previously—and without recognition—saved the king from a plot to kill him, possessed great faith. Esther, who initially hesitated, was placed in a position to approach Ahasuerus, ultimately saving her people.

PILOT STAFF Greg Johnson, Ph.D. ’05, M’09 Editor-in-Chief Assoc. VP for Marketing & Communications

Cayla (Yund ’14) Blucker Contributing Editor

Dan Doar ’13 Creative Director

CONTRIBUTORS Scott Anderson ’84, Lauren (Bernhagen ’12) Elrick, Josiah Hurney ’23, Cassie (Lund ’09) LaFollette, Linda LaFrombois, Amy (Enerson ’02) Mulvihill Ken Jones, Guytano Magno ’08, Josh Stokes Photography

Mordecai’s trust was in the faithfulness of God, not in the faithfulness of Esther. He knew that God, whether at that time or in the future, would not let His people down, even if individuals let God down. At the same time, the phrase for such a time as this that referenced Esther’s royalty invokes courage and hope among believers. These words inspire Christians as an opportunity to make a difference. God promotes us or puts us in a place for a reason, and we need the courage and wisdom to see that reason and to walk in it.

As we wage varying forms of challenge, be it navigating the tail end of the pandemic, perhaps job loss, working from home, a charged and divisive political scene, listening to understand our brothers and sisters, etc., Northwestern students, faculty, staff, and alumni are making a difference in the world. They are being the hands and feet of Jesus in government, education, corporate America, and in the community.

Our hope is that, through this edition of the Pilot, you are encouraged and inspired. In the big picture, God will not let you down! No matter where you are or what you’re doing, may you find courage and hope among believers, and, together, make a difference for Christ and His kingdom.

Zach Knighton ’17 Proofreading

Angel (Amundson ’92) Moin

Director, Alumni & Parent Engagement

© 2021 University of Northwestern

GREG JOHNSON, Ph.D. ’05, M’09 Editor-in-Chief

CAMPUS CONTENTS NEWS

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Moriah Maunu ’20 recently became UNW’s 18th Fulbright scholar.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT David Maxwell ’14 is turning heads with modern art and creative direction.

UNIVERSITY NEWS Highlighting recent accomplishments from students, faculty, and staff.

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WE THE PEOPLE

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ACADEMIC NEWS

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FACULTY UPDATES

Through college volleyball, Taylor Filzen ’12 is shaping the next generation.

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MUSIC & THEATRE

A CALMING PRESENCE & A SOUND MIND UNDER PRESSURE

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EAGLE ATHLETICS

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ALUMNI UPDATES

By Lauren Elrick

Jon Papik ’04 has served as a Nebraska Supreme Court justice since 2018.

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WHAT IT TAKES TO SHAPE A TEAM

By Lauren Elrick

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By Cassie LaFollette

Anna Mukaria has led Northwestern though the COVID-19 pandemic.

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Interdisciplinary Studies student receives Fulbright award to Madrid Moriah Maunu ’20, Interdisciplinary Studies and Spanish major, received a prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) award to Madrid, Spain. Through the Fulbright ETA program, Maunu will support the teaching of English at Camilo José Cela University in Madrid, during the 2021–2022 academic year.

Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected in an open, merit-based competition that considers academic achievement and record of service.

While in Madrid, Maunu will assist with English-speaking psychology and health science classes, share knowledge, and foster meaningful connections across communities in the United States and Spain. As a pre-medical graduate with an interest in global health, Maunu will also study health systems in Spain while overseas and will teach a “Stop the Bleed” class.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to forge lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries, counter misunderstandings, and help nations work together toward common goals.

Fulbright alumni include 60 Nobel Prize laureates, 88 Pulitzer Prize recipients, and 37 past heads of state or government.

< Photo: Submitted by Moriah Maunu 6

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT David Maxwell is turning heads with modern art and creative direction With clients such as Nike, Red Bull, Target, and TikTok, David Maxwell ’14 has become a known creative and multimedia artist based out of Los Angeles. While David’s presence has grown to a global scale, his work can also be viewed just a few miles from Northwestern’s St. Paul campus at Rosedale Center in Roseville, Minnesota.

Rosedale has experienced an $80 million makeover throughout the last few years and leaned on David, hired as the mall’s creative director, to assist in redeveloping the shopping center’s brand. Among the mall’s jumbo prints, interesting patterns, and positive messaging, one of David’s projects was a monthlong brand takeover for Rosedale’s back-to-school campaign in 2019.

In spring 2021, Maxwell and Rosedale launched the ØVERCAST campaign, which was the first-ever retail-center-artist non-fungible token (NFT) release. ØVERCAST included an art installation, interactive filters, photography, digital assets, and an exclusive song and music video by Maxwell and local artist Moise.

Photo: Samson Melkamu

Photos: Submitted by David Maxwell > FALL 2021

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RECENT ACCOLADES STUDENTS Markus Bachman ’22, Accounting major, published a book titled Embracing reMARKable: A Family’s Story of Courage, Love, and Hope. The book is Bachman’s story of perseverance, hope, and trust in God through a very challenging life.

Isaac Karpenske ’20 M’22, M.Div. student, and Jessica Kawlewski ’21, Ministry major, received the 2020–2021 Society of Professors in Christian Education (SPCE) Scholastic Award. SPCE is a leading scholarly guild for evangelical academicians in the field of practical theology.

Angelica Bare ’21, Art & Design and Theological Studies double major, led a virtual art workshop, “Introduction to Contemporary Art,” at Sauk Prairie’s River Arts Inc. studio.

Kendall Luman ’22 and Jessica Crosson ’21 were selected for TriBeta Awards at the Minnesota Academy of Science’s 2021 Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Luman won a first-place award from the TriBeta Biology Honor Society, and Crosson won third place. Nine UNW students were among 35 scholars from 14 regional colleges and universities that presented original science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research at the symposium.

Photo: Samy Acuña.

Drew Barnett ’22, Spanish Education major, was admitted into the North American Language and Culture Assistants Program (NALCAP) for the 2021–2022 academic year in Spain. Through NALCAP, Barnett will partner with a language program in an elementary or secondary Spanish school as a stipend-based teaching assistant from October through the end of May 2022.

Diana Boyce ’23, Politics, History, and Economics major, has been selected as a fall 2021 intern with In Defense of Christians (IDC) in Washington, DC. IDC is a non-profit, nonpartisan advocacy organization whose mission is to heighten awareness on the human rights and humanitarian crises of persecuted Christian and other minority communities in the Middle East.

Lydia DeBuhr ’20, Mechanical Engineering and Bible major, was featured by ProFood World for her work as an intern at Pearson’s Candy. The article, “Candy Company Furthers Sustainability Efforts with HVAC and Lighting Upgrades,” discusses DeBuhr’s review of the company’s HVAC system and recommendations that could potentially save more than $50,000 annually through reduced energy consumption. Photo: Submitted.

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Jessica Pollard ’21, English major and Eagle Scholar, will have her honors component paper “What Is Happiness?

A Study of Metaphoric Conceptualizations of Happiness in Poetry” published in vol. 12 of Aisthesis: Honors Student Journal, an undergraduate journal sponsored by the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Forty third-semester UNW nursing students served as Joni and Friends (JAF) “Cause 4 Life” interns this spring.

The students provided 30 hours of respite care over the course of the semester to 17 Twin Cities families affected by disability. This was the second cohort to serve in the new “Respite at Home” program created in tandem by JAF and the UNW School of Nursing.

UNIVERSITY NEWS

STAFF/FACULTY A poem by Brianna Flavin, associate professor of English, titled “Quarantine Baby” was published April 2021 in issue no. 40 of Ireland's Southword Journal from the Munster Literature Centre.

Dr. Dale Gentry, associate professor of Biology and Biochemistry, was the featured speaker for the kick-off of the North Star Chapter of the American Scientific Affiliation (ASA). Gentry, also executive director and creative director for Disciple Science media ministry, spoke on “Science vs. Faith and the Christian Divorce from Creation.”

Jordan Monson, adjunct professor in UNW’s Department of Christian Ministries, wrote the cover story for the December 21, 2020 issue of Christianity Today. Monson’s article is titled “When A Word Is Worth A Thousand Complaints (and When It Isn’t).”

Dr. Melissa Mork, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Law Enforcement, was a featured guest on The Goal Next Door podcast. Dr. Mork spoke with host Amanda Ferris on Navigating Grief with Humor.

Photo: Disciple Science.

Dr. Steven Harthorn, director of the Eagle Scholars Honors Program and professor of English, served as an invited panelist for “Retelling History: The Last of the Mohicans 195th Anniversary,” sponsored by Fort William Henry in Lake George, New York.

Dr. Michael Jacobson, associate professor of Engineering, co-authored “Effects of Obesity and Diabesity on Heart Rhythm in the Zucker Rat,” published in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology.

Dr. Jonathan Loopstra, professor of History, recently made two presentations at Princeton University: “Critical Race Theory, Meet the Early Church: Ibram X. Kendi and Robin Diangelo talk shop with Aphrahat the Persian and Ephrem the Syrian” and “Guarding the Precious ‘Treasure’: Rethinking the Relationships Between Jewish and Christian ‘Masoretes’ in the Transmission of the Bible.”

Rick Love, associate professor of Art & Design, is showcasing his artwork at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, through October 17. “Not Sure!?” is based on the choice and ability to expand the boundaries of “art.” Love is also featured in the spring 2021 publication of the CCCU Advance magazine in a feature highlighting “Campus Stories of Innovation” amidst COVID restrictions.

Dr. Kirk Moss dean of the College of Arts & Humanities, chair of the Department of Music & Theatre, and professor of Music, served as a translator of the “Risk Assessment of a Coronavirus Infection in the Field of Music” from the Institute for Musicians’ Medicine at Albert-LudwigUniversity of Freiburg, Germany. Moss chaired a subgroup of the American String Teachers Association Task Force: Returning to School During COVID-19.

Dr. Anthony Pan, associate professor of Civil Engineering, co-authored “A Method Based on Spectrum Superposition for Minimizing the Hazards of Blasting Vibration” in KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, a technical journal of the Korean Society of Civil Engineers.

Dr. Boyd Seevers, professor of Old Testament Studies, was featured in an interview on the Associates of Biblical Research’s Digging for Truth program titled “Taking Down Goliath: Slinging in the Biblical World.”

Dr. Ying Shen, professor of Education and coordinator of Educational Programs in China, presented her research “Facilitating Preservice Teachers’ Cross-Cultural Online Collaborative Learning Using a Modified ABC’s Model” at the American Educational Research Association annual conference. This research is in collaboration with professors from Hong Kong Baptist University.

Artwork and Photo: Submitted by Rick Love.

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by LAUREN (BERNHAGEN ’12) ELRICK

Photos: Nebraska Judicial Branch 10

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FEATURE STORY

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hen something is deeply important to you, it almost feels like a part of your being.

Everyone wants to be taken seriously, taking the time to really listen to and care for others is a way we can all let a bit of light drip into the world.

We’re all entrusted to care for something or someone, and the character, rectitude, and diligence you put forth in your work and life informs the magnitude of what you’ll be entrusted with. There’s something life-giving and significant about someone with integrity who goes the extra mile in the interplay of work and relationships. You’re more apt to trust them and for good reason: you know that person will be purposeful and take the time to show consideration, regard, and respect.

When it comes to matters of the law—the outcome of your life, liberty, or property at stake—you want someone who actually cares at the helm. Supreme Court Justice Jonathan J. Papik ’04, Fourth Judicial District, is not only the youngest person ever appointed to the state of Nebraska’s highest court, but he is taking his values and intentionality to the bench and making a difference in his field by handling cases with care.

In 2018, Papik, a former lawyer, was sworn in by current U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch, whom he clerked for when Gorsuch was a judge on the 10th US Circuit Court of Appeals. At Papik’s swearing-in ceremony, Gorsuch said, “We judges are just the caretakers. The law is not ours to make. It is ours to uphold and to apply as fairly and as best we can.”

As the Nebraska Supreme Court hears legal arguments about a myriad of topics, Papik has been positioned to foster justice by impartially and

evenhandedly applying the law to the cases that come before him.

AN INTEREST IGNITED

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ooking back on his childhood, Papik reflects that, while growing up, he was curious about government and history. As time went on and he gained more knowledge, that interest gave way to a fascination with the U.S. Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitution.

“I’ve always found it interesting that the framers of our Constitution were able to come up with a document and a plan for government that, with a number of important amendments over the course of the next two centuries, continues to govern us today,” said Papik.

His father, also a lawyer, made the world of law something familiar for Papik. So, coupled with his interests in history and government, it was only natural that Papik went on to be a history major at Northwestern, which he remembers fondly as a season of life he enjoyed.

“I played basketball my first two years at Northwestern, so most of my time was devoted to that and school work,” explained Papik. “I benefited from the well-rounded liberal arts education Northwestern offered. The abilities to think critically and communicate effectively are probably the most important skills in the legal field....

I can think back to not just history classes, but classes in everything from philosophy to English to theology that helped develop those skills.”

During his final years at Northwestern, Papik worked a couple of internships.

“One, at the Center of the American Experiment, a public-policy think tank

in Minneapolis, was a particularly good experience and helpful to me when I went on to law school,” said Papik. “I had the opportunity to do research and writing on public policy issues.”

LAW SCHOOL AT HARVARD

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fter graduating from Northwestern, Papik went on to attend Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

By this time, he had married his wife, Rachel (Hibbard ’03), and even though neither of them had spent much time on the East Coast, they were suddenly living, working, and attending school there and having fun doing it.

“I loved going to Harvard Law School,” Papik remembers. “The school work was challenging but also very interesting. My classmates were from all over the country and came from so many different backgrounds; I learned a lot from many of them. There were also a lot of notable outside speakers that would come to campus: U.S. Supreme Court justices, etc.”

Papik recalls taking a short course during the winter term with Brett Kavanaugh, who wasn’t a U.S. Supreme Court justice at the time, but would later be appointed as one. There wasn’t much time for other activities outside of school at Harvard, but Papik did get back on the basketball court when he could.

“I did play my fair share of pickup and intramural basketball—and a couple pickup games with then Harvard undergrad student and future NBA player Jeremy Lin,” said Papik. “I also worked on a law journal, the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy.”

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GUIDES ALONG THE WAY

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cademics weren't the only things Papik acquired knowledge about during his time at school. While at Harvard, Papik formed relationships with people who would give him further insight and counsel for the career that was to come. One of these relationships was with John Manning, dean and professor at Harvard Law, who had clerked for the late Justice Scalia.

“Manning was an expert in the areas of law that interested me and did a great job of taking interest in students and providing helpful advice,” explained Papik.

Papik also gained some wonderful mentors after he graduated from Harvard. As his first job after law school, he served as a law clerk for Gorsuch, who at the time was on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit. Papik also had the opportunity to do another clerkship with Judge Laurence Silberman, a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

FEATURE STORY > WE THE PEOPLE

“Both Judge Gorsuch and Judge Silberman were great role models for me when I finished law school.

However, the lessons I learned from them are even more valuable to me now that I serve as a judge,” said Papik.

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Perhaps most notable is the thing both judges impressed upon Papik: the importance of each case that came before them.

“Although some cases are important to many people, they emphasized that every case is important to those involved in it,” explained Papik.

“Although I’m not sure Judge Gorsuch and Judge Silberman phrased it in exactly these terms, they demonstrated a kind of judicial Golden Rule: they

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treated the case in the manner they would want a judge to treat a case that they themselves were involved in. That required considering every argument carefully and devoting the time necessary to the case to decide it fairly and write a well-reasoned opinion.”

After moving to Omaha, Nebraska, Papik added more great mentors and friends he made at the law firm where he worked. “Law school teaches you a lot about the law, but it doesn’t necessarily teach you a lot about how to be a lawyer. I learned how to be a lawyer from them.”

A WHIRLWIND OF A PROCESS

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he pathway to being appointed a state Supreme Court justice often feels fast and furious to those who have been nominated.

The process in Nebraska is rigorous and thorough: applicants must first submit a formal written application that covers a lot of information about their background and what he or she has done as a lawyer. Judges and lawyers must also be asked to serve as references. After the application is submitted, it is given to a judicial nominating commission, which is comprised of four lawyers and four non-lawyers evenly divided between political parties.

A public hearing is then held by the nominating commission at which applications make their case for why they are qualified to serve as a judge. The commission votes to send applicants’ names on to the governor, who then appoints the judge from the approved names.

“The process for filling the vacancy I was appointed to fill went very quickly,” said Papik. “I had just a couple weeks after the vacancy was announced to decide I wanted to

Both Judge Gorsuch and Judge Silberman were great role models for me when I finished law school.

However, the lessons I learned from them are even more valuable to me now that I serve as a judge. apply, prepare the application, solicit references, and get ready to present at the nominating commission hearing, [which was] on a Monday. I got a call the next morning that the governor wanted to interview me that Friday.”

“That gave me only a few days to prepare for that interview,” explained Papik. “The governor then called me the following Tuesday to tell me he was going to appoint me to the Nebraska Supreme Court.”

Papik was sworn in to the bench in 2018 and is one of seven judges on the state Supreme Court, the highest court in Nebraska’s judicial branch.

FEATURE STORY

Justice Jonathan Papik ’04 (top left) was sworn in to the seven-member Nebraska Supreme Court in 2018.

THE VIEW FROM THE BENCH erving as a Supreme Court justice can be both challenging and rewarding. There is much that hangs in the balance of each case, and Papik is intentional about how he approaches who and what comes before his bench.

“The cases that make it to our court usually do so because both sides can make good arguments for their position,” Papik said. “Because of those two things, the outcome matters a great deal to the parties, and the legal answers are often not obvious. On top of that, our opinions set precedents

for ourselves and the other courts in the Nebraska judicial system. For all these reasons, I feel obligated to do everything I can to consider the parties’ arguments fairly, apply the law evenhandedly, and write opinions that are easy to understand.”

spot. I try to create an atmosphere where the law clerks and I have a lot of conversations about the cases. It’s beneficial to my thinking to be able to talk through legal issues with them.

They contribute good ideas and often help to clarify my thinking.”

Papik also strives to create an atmosphere in his chambers that promotes open conversations about the cases.

Occasionally, Papik is asked what it’s like to be the youngest person ever appointed to the state of Nebraska’s highest court.

“I have a legal assistant and two law clerks who work in my chambers,” said Papik. “One of the law clerks has worked for the Nebraska court system for several years, and I hire recent law graduates to one-year jobs for the other

“I’m not sure how to answer because I don’t know what it’s like to do this job at another age! My colleagues do occasionally have to explain movie or music references they make to me.”

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LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE COURTROOM

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espite all that goes into his role, Papik makes space and time to be with his family and take part in other activities.

“We have three kids. Bob (left) is 11, Maggie (right) turned nine in August, and Noelle (center) is seven,” said Papik.

“Most of the time that I’m not working is spent with Rachel (back right) and them. I have coached Bob’s basketball teams the last several years.”

Papik’s community is important to him as well. “We’re also involved in our church. Up until the pandemic, I was still playing pickup and city league basketball on a regular basis.”

Whether in the courtroom or outside of it, relationships and the people behind them matter, and Papik has made a career of paying attention to that.

Photo: Linda Hibbard

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

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ur world needs people who are trustworthy—those who will go above and beyond in the realm of handling weighty issues with care and consideration.

Papik has been positioned in a pivotal role to facilitate and champion justice for the people of Nebraska, and the way he goes about it is purposeful, intentional, and full of regard for the individuals involved in the cases that come before him.

It’s true that chaos and confusion are ripe on this earth, but there is still good pushing back against the turmoil. When you’re invested in people while upholding truth and justice, the combination that results gives way to a powerful fusion: light outshining darkness.

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FEATURE STORY

I feel obligated to do everything I can to consider the parties’ arguments fairly, apply the law evenhandedly, and write opinions that are easy to understand.

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Taylor Filzen ’12 reviews her team’s statistics during a University of Dayton volleyball match.

Photos: Erik Schelkun

by LAUREN (BERNHAGEN ’12) ELRICK

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FEATURE STORY

s each era goes by, it seems that things get simultaneously easier and more complicated for the next generation. The world of sports is no exception.

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athletic excellence. The work she’s doing is good and beautiful, and the impact she’s having on athletes and teams will ripple into the generations to come.

While the modern day has allowed for a wide array of opportunities for student-athletes, the continued advances in technology and shifts in recruitment strategy have created ever-increasing expectations both on and off the court. There are, of course, the normal tensions of college life and academics, but student-athletes also face the pressure to excel at their sport, maintain a responsible social media presence, and stay healthy physically, emotionally, and socially.

There are a lot of plates to keep spinning. It’s also safe to say that no team was untouched by the obstacles that came with the pandemic this past year.

At the time of this interview, the Flyers were wrapping up an amazing season with a trip to the NCAA Division I Volleyball Tournament in Omaha, Nebraska. We had the opportunity to connect with Taylor in the midst of the year's final matches to hear more about what she does and why she does it.

Our experiences allow us to be guides for those who come along after us, and Taylor Filzen ’12, director of Volleyball Operations for the University of Dayton, is doing that in an extraordinary way. With experience as both a former collegiate volleyball player and employee in the Northwestern athletics department, Filzen is now walking alongside a team of student-athletes who are trying to make their way in life. Not only is Taylor serving as the liaison to the administration, equipment, marketing, athletic communications, and facilities staff at Dayton, but she also mentors a team of women.

Taylor’s faith in Jesus allows her to foster a sense of authenticity that makes way for deeper relationships between her and the team, which can be something unique and life-giving in a secular college environment.

In her interactions with the women on her team, there’s something remarkable about how Taylor places value on connection and contentment over performance without sacrificing

PILOT: Tell us about your role

as Director of Volleyball Operations.

Taylor Filzen is currently Director of Volleyball Operations for the University of Dayton.

As a student, Filzen was a part of Northwestern’s NCAA Tournament teams in 2010 and 2011.

Taylor Filzen: I like to say that in my

role, I get to work in every area of our volleyball program apart from coaching on-court and the recruiting process of prospective student-athletes. Day-today logistics, scheduling, academics, working with our head coach on special projects, video breakdown, statistical analysis, and external media are all things that I get to have my hand in, and I love the variety!

PILOT: Did you have any key formative

experiences that inspired your bent toward volleyball, developing a team, and where you are today?

TF: Athletics has always been a

part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up as a coach’s kid with my mom coaching collegiate women’s basketball for much of my life. Being around her teams and all my “big sisters,” traveling with them, experiencing championships and tough losses, and being around that lifestyle was something that opened my eyes to both the power of college athletics, as well as the relationships that can be formed there.

I was also given the amazing opportunity to be a collegiate studentathlete at Northwestern by Coach Beth Wilmeth and her staff, and I will

forever be grateful for that experience!

As someone who was not a highlevel athlete, having the opportunity to be a part of those teams and learn about service and leadership through volleyball, all while growing in my faith in community, really grew my love for athletics and all it entails.

My path within athletics continued as I began my career with internships in collegiate athletics with the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) and Corey Borchardt ’02. My first job after graduation was at a very familiar place: UNW. Starting my post-college life as the Coordinator of Athletic Communication and Administration at Northwestern allowed me to see how much I loved working in this industry.

I began to realize that I specifically wanted to work with a team, and I began to explore Director of Operations positions. The University of Dayton position was open, I had a connection with the current staff, and I made it through a virtual interview process. A little over a week after accepting the job, I was driving out to Dayton, Ohio, for the first time to be a Flyer!

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Filzen has been on the coaching staff at Dayton since 2014. In that span, the Flyers have advanced to the NCAA Division I tournament six times.

PILOT: What does a typical day in your life look like?

PILOT: What kinds of challenges do these athletes face on

a regular basis?

FEATURE STORY > WHAT IT TAKES TO SHAPE A TEAM

TF: My day-to-day life looks different every day in season

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and out of season, practice days versus match days, and being home versus on the road, and I love that!

TF: The demands, pressures, and expectations of today’s

No matter what the day looks like, it involves a lot of logistics, knocking out tasks, and working with numerous people! If we are at home, I spend time connecting pieces and working on anything and everything for upcoming weeks. On the road, things look different. Home match days are awesome because of the energy and anticipation, and away matches include coffee runs, time with our staff and team, and getting things ready for the match(es).

Out of season, one of the things I love is the ability to work on special projects or things we may not have time to do in season.

Before they step on campus as a student, they have typically been playing volleyball at a very high level for many years.

They have been recruited and pursued by collegiate coaches.

They are expected to maintain an academic load in and out of season and do well in the classroom, while also juggling the intense schedule of a Division I student-athlete.

student-athletes are unbelievable.

They also navigate normal college student life and the pressures that go along with that in today’s society. Social media presence is huge. How they represent themselves, their teams, their schools, and their families is on display for anyone to see.

PILOT: What are the relationships like between members

of the team?

TF: One of the things I absolutely love about our team

and program is how much our student-athletes love being together and being a part of a team. It isn’t always easy, but they are committed to working through issues that may arise with maturity and grace. They show up every day and give their all mentally, emotionally, and physically, and it is incredibly rewarding to see them achieve success.

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One of the biggest challenges I see is, ultimately, they want to be the best they can be at everything. They are perfectionists who want to achieve, and they are their greatest critics.

PILOT: What has it been like to come alongside these

women and foster mental and emotional development alongside athletic prowess?

FEATURE STORY

TF: I think one of the most amazing aspects of being a part

of a program where I get to engage with our players on a daily basis is seeing their growth. Being able to see a player who wasn’t highly recruited play at the Division I level, work incredibly hard, earn a scholarship, play in three NCAA Tournaments, and leave the program as an award winner is incredible. Being able to witness those moments and that growth reminds me all over again why I do what I do.

One of the biggest things that I try to do with our women is just be there for them. These are 18- to 22-yearolds who are figuring life out and maturing, and I hope that I can be someone that is reliable, there for whatever they need, and ready to challenge them and help them grow.

Much like in families, there are awesome moments, and there are definitely hard moments. In the seven years I have spent at Dayton, our women have taught me way more than I have taught them.

PILOT: What was your educational

and athletic experience like at UNW? TF: My experience at Northwestern

was extremely formative and prepared me very well for life after college. It was well-rounded and a close-knit community with people that are still a part of my life today. The education I received definitely readied me for the workforce, and I even went on to get my master’s degree in Organizational Leadership while working at UNW.

them, serve them, and be there for them in a way that shows Christ’s love. Ultimately, I know that is where true peace, hope, and contentment can be found, and that is not contingent on how well they play on a given night, how they do on a test, or what they may feel like their image is on a certain day.

I also believe that my faith has allowed me a certain sense of “realness.” Every year I am in my role, I realize I am learning to value the relationships with our staff and our team in a unique way. I can do life with them, be real about struggles, and that allows them to hopefully feel comfortable to share and in return connect in a deeper way.

These are 18- to 22-year-olds who are figuring life out and maturing, and I hope that I can be someone that is reliable, there for whatever they need, and ready to challenge them and help them grow.

Being a student-athlete was something that completely flew by—the days were long and the practices were hard, but those seasons were so short. I feel extremely blessed to have been able to be a part of those teams, led by Coach Wilmeth and her staff, play in two NCAA Tournaments, and ultimately learn about faith and sport and playing for an “Audience of One.”

PILOT: What’s been your

proudest moment as Director of Volleyball Operations?

TF: There have been so many

moments. The joy of winning conference championships and going to the NCAA Tournament, seeing a player reach their dreams of being an All-American, the tributes and memories on each Senior Day, and seeing a student-athlete graduate after working as hard as she could to get through tough classes have all been proud moments for me.

One of my favorite memories of all time will be from this past season, in the NCAA Tournament “bubble,” when we were able to spend time with our team in an extended setting.

The laughter, candid moments, and togetherness after a tough year and after so much resiliency and commitment from our team will be with me forever.

PILOT: Do you have any advice or insights you’d offer

to UNW students or alumni?

PILOT: How has your faith impacted your role and

TF: My advice would be to take advantage of every

how you approach connecting with student-athletes?

opportunity available—from volunteering to internships to being involved in something outside of your comfort zone.

You never know how the Lord will use those times to shape and stir something in your heart.

TF: My faith impacts my role in every interaction with our

student-athletes. I pray my heart would be that I can love

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IMPACTING TOMORROW’S LEADERS Dr. April Moreton

God’s chosen people were once again in peril. Living in exile and facing annihilation, God chose Mordecai and Esther to serve His purposes in protecting His people.

Their roles are reminders to us today that God is always at work: He uses those who boldly step out in faith, who may not know if or how or when that faith will impact future generations.

Much like the faith of those who faithfully support Northwestern students. While giving to students helps them attend classes and pursue their degrees today, it may be years down the road before we see how that faithful support is used for God’s purposes.

Taylor Filzen ’12, featured in this issue of The Pilot, is able to mentor a team of female athletes at a secular university because those who gave to her endowed scholarship and to need-based scholarships made her Northwestern education possible. She is impacting these young women—for such a time as this. What an incredible legacy!

IMPACTING TOMORROW’S LEADERS

When you give to UNW, you are directly impacting those who will be tomorrow’s Mordecais and Esthers—for such a time as this. For over 100 years, Northwestern has remained

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steadfast in its commitment to train Biblically-grounded young men and women to serve and lead well. God’s hand has graciously sustained the university, and He has often done so through the generosity of His people.

Last year, six new endowed scholarships were created through generous donations, and more than $1.275 million was given to the Northwestern Fund specifically to support need-based scholarships.

Endowed scholarships are awarded to students each year in perpetuity, but the Northwestern Fund must be raised anew every year. With the effects of 2020’s pandemic, many students and families face financial challenges. Gifts from our alumni, parents, and friends diminish those challenges—for such a time as this—and make a Northwestern education possible for them.

Dr. April Moreton Vice President for Institutional Advancement

IN THE 2020–2021 ACADEMIC YEAR, OVER WERE IMPACTED BY

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STUDENTS

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS.

A LOVE FOR NORTHWESTERN, FULL CIRCLE Introducing Angel Moin, Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement Angel (Amundson ’92) Moin was recently named the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement at Northwestern. An alumnus and current UNW parent, Moin is no stranger to Northwestern. The daughter of a pastor from northern Wisconsin, Angel’s brother Brent Amundson ’88 thought Northwestern might be a really good fit for his sister. Turns out, Brent’s assessment was spot on.

The very first day she arrived on campus, she met people who would become life-long friends. Angel embraced the Northwestern experience, traveling with the College Choir (now called the Northwestern Choir), playing on the volleyball team, and forging friendships through the wide array of opportunities to build community across campus and in the residence halls.

Fast-forward 30 years. In addition to being a Northwestern alumna, Angel and her husband Steve are parents to three adult children, ages 22, 20, and 18.

Their daughter Emily is a member of the same Eagles volleyball team and was a resident of the same dorm as her mother. “What a joy it has been to see our daughter and other students thrive on campus with the life-giving energy that comes from being around UNW students!” said Angel.

As an alumna and current Northwestern parent, Angel looks forward to connecting and reconnecting with many alumni and has an ambitious course charted for the Alumni and Parent Engagement office.

Alumni and Parent Engagement exists to encourage and inform constituents; to be a resource for connection between individuals, the university, and each other; and to engage in the mission of Northwestern.

The Northwestern Scholarship Fund helps the next generation of servant-leaders complete their education at UNW by providing need-based scholarships.

Will you give a gift to the Northwestern Scholarship Fund today? unwsp.edu/give

I was drawn to being able to work medically within a faith-based organization where you can freely share your faith or pray with patients.

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FEATURE STORY

H

A calming presence & a sound mind under pressure

eading into the 2020–2021 academic year in the midst of a public health crisis, universities across the globe were faced with the difficult decision of how to approach learning in as lowrisk a way as possible. According to data from the National Conference on State Legislatures, 44 percent of institutions in the United States conducted their education primarily online, 27 percent stayed in the classroom, and 21 percent adopted a hybrid model. For Northwestern, students always come first. So, when leadership was faced with the weighty question of what the school year would look like, the answer was clear: create a learning experience that was as close to “normal” as possible. This meant in-person learning, all year long. It was a critical decision—one that UNW did not take lightly.

Enter Anna Mukaria, PA-C, director of COVID Operations. As the pandemic began to impact the Northwestern community, it was paramount to engage someone who could help create a campus-wide strategy and implement rapidly changing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). With a master’s degree in public health and several years of urgent care experience, Mukaria—who was already serving students in UNW's Health Services clinic—was asked to step into this role in August 2020.

Understanding the need to stay current and provide extra support for students, staff, and their families, Mukaria’s new role helped ensure that departments across campus were resourced with the most up-to-date information and guidance available in order to navigate the year wisely.

by CASSIE (LUND ’10) LaFOLLETTE

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FEATURE STORY > A CALMING PRESENCE & A SOUND MIND UNDER PRESSURE

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Mukaria came to work at UNW initially in 2018 out of a desire to help more patients while also caring for them spiritually. “I was drawn to being able to work medically within a faith-based organization where you can freely share your faith or pray with patients,” she said. She added that having the opportunity to serve the next generation of leaders is especially meaningful to her.

Mukaria’s heart for equipping and empowering UNW students was clear, even before COVID-19 arrived.

While Mukaria’s role at Northwestern focused on the physical health and safety of everyone on campus, it also became more holistic in terms of leadership, as she worked to bring clarity and decisiveness in a time of heightened anxiety. Preventing the virus was at the forefront of everyone’s mind. There were also other critically important aspects of caring for the community, such as mental and spiritual health. Mukaria weighed all of these aspects as she consulted with virtually every academic department and aspect of campus life, whether it was residence life, events, athletics, food services—“You name it, it’s basically the whole campus”—to help make decisions that ultimately put students first.

The sheer volume of decisions made, questions answered, and guidelines enforced presented a unique

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challenge, but Mukaria has a unique adaptability: her previous experience working in an urgent care setting helped her to develop a calm presence and sound mind under pressure.

Besides ensuring that the core operations of the university ran smoothly, other important parts of creating a “normal” experience for students were the social and community aspects. “We tried to provide as many in-person events, especially for students, and we were able to do that in a low-risk way,” said Mukaria, adding that she was impressed with the detailed planning and care that student leaders employed when planning in-person events.

In terms of virus prevention, the student clinic on campus provided COVID-19 testing for students and employees, and Mukaria said she was pleased that UNW was able to extend this service to families as well. Northwestern also maintained a public-facing dashboard online, which reflected the number of COVID-19 cases on campus at any given time and answered frequently asked questions about COVID-related policies and procedures. Mukaria commended her team when it came to the tremendous amount of work that went into testing, contact tracing, and communicating with the student body.

FEATURE STORY

Even with the university’s proactive approach to in-person learning, there were of course stressful times throughout the year. Mukaria recalls a time in late October as being especially busy and hectic, but she also felt God’s faithfulness was unmistakable. Northwestern recorded 26 positive cases of COVID-19 in the span of three days—the highest all year. Mukaria said that although cases were high during this time, the vast majority of exposure happened off-campus. “There was hardly any transmission in the classroom when guidelines were followed,” she said, crediting everyone’s cooperation.

In addition to the prevention measures that this spike in cases required, more testing was needed for symptomatic students. The problem was the testing equipment Northwestern had at the time was not fast enough.

A rapid testing machine had been ordered in July 2020, but it was extremely backordered. Amazingly, and with some effort, Mukaria’s team was able to get in touch with a warehouse that happened to have an older model machine in storage, and UNW was able to borrow it just in time to handle the influx of testing.

Mukaria said the rapid testing machine was extremely helpful when it came to students’ wait time to return to classes and other activities. “To have that result in

15 minutes versus having to wait two, three, or maybe four days, when they were so busy having to test, was a Godsend,” she said. She noted that, although some rapid testing in the United States was known to not be very accurate, the specific machine UNW used was 96 percent sensitive. This provision allowed students to have more days in the physical classroom.

Ultimately, Northwestern’s goal of keeping students in the classroom all year was a great success. Classes were held in person all the way to graduation, with very low risk to students and staff. “I’m really thankful we were able to accomplish that,” Mukaria said. It was by no means an easy year, and Mukaria said she felt everyone was fairly weary by the end of it. “Thankfully, we were able to stay consistent.”

Mukaria said she is looking forward to the 2021–2022 year, when—as we all hope—things will be closer to normal.

Looking back, Mukaria reflected that any success UNW had as a result of her role goes back to trusting God. “If He puts you in a position, whatever that role is, He is going to equip you to get the job done,” she said.

Throughout the year, she leaned on the promise that God never changes. “He is steadfast. We can always go to Him for wisdom and strength.”

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Academics

LAUNCHING CHRISTCENTERED LEADERS INTO THE FIELD OF HEALTHCARE UNW offers new Healthcare Management programs

ACADEMICS > LAUNCHING CHRIST-CENTERED LEADERS INTO THE FIELD OF HEALTHCARE

| by LINDA LaFROMBOIS

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Healthcare surged to the forefront of hearts and headlines as essential workers provided medical support to those battling the effects of a new pandemic disease. Leaders of hospitals, clinics, senior care homes, and mental health facilities—already adapting to shifting demographics and patient needs amid staffing shortages—stood on the frontlines as they directed care to those suffering.

The world watched as medical administrators quickly repurposed hospital floors—and in some cases entire buildings—to accommodate the influx of COVID-infected patients. In nearly every organization across our country, staffing policies and practices shifted seemingly overnight to brace for and slow the spread of the disease.

Adept management in unprecedented circumstances made the difference for many. And in many cases, wise leadership proved to be the difference between life and death.

Even prior to the pandemic—as our nation ages and mental health struggles soar—the need for skillful, Christ-centered leaders in the

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burgeoning field of healthcare has become more critical than ever.

The University of Northwestern – St. Paul stands ready to help fill the gap.

This fall, the Northwestern School of Business launched Healthcare Management programs. Created by industry experts and offered fully online, the Healthcare Management programs will train graduates with the precise skills needed to step into key positions of leadership throughout the healthcare industry.

Students in Northwestern’s Healthcare Management programs receive instruction in finance, policy, ethics, management, and legal issues specific to healthcare in the United States.

Graduates of the programs will be equipped for positions of leadership in organizations such as residential care facilities, clinical and hospital care organizations, medical device and equipment businesses, and insurance companies.

“Our aim in offering Healthcare Management programs is to prepare every graduate entering or advancing

I can’t separate ethics from my faith; my goal is to integrate my faith in everything I do.

There are so many layers of regulation in healthcare, but also a lot of gray areas within the black-and-white rules. Starting your education at a place like UNW sets the stage for faith to be integrated with what you do.

—Gene Leistico ’95, Chief Operating Officer, ACR Homes

in the healthcare field to serve individuals and families in need of care through wise, compassionate, God-honoring management and leadership,” said Jessa Nelson, chair and assistant dean of the UNW School of Business.

In addition to concentrations for traditional and adult undergraduate business majors, MBA students can pursue a concentration in Healthcare Management without adding to their cost or length of study. A stand-alone

ACADEMICS

certificate, which can be completed in only one year, is also available for those that have already earned an MBA, require a shorter course of study, or intend to complete of a Master of Business Administration degree in the future.

“Healthcare Management gives you a unique opportunity to impact delivery care from an organizational standpoint,” says Hannah Ried ’20, resident supervisor at ACR Homes.

“Being a student at Northwestern places you at such an advantage. The university has an amazing business department, and the School of Business chair has extensive Healthcare Management experience. And at Northwestern, you learn from the Christian viewpoint, which emphasizes that we’re called to serve and love.”

Graduate-level courses for Healthcare Management include Healthcare Financial Systems, Healthcare Policy & Management, Law & Ethics in Healthcare, and Leadership in Healthcare. “Having enough exposure to healthcare to know how the health care system works—and how people move in and through it—is critical to succeeding in the

field of Healthcare Management,” said Nelson. “That is what Northwestern’s Healthcare Management concentrations provide.”

Healthcare is an exponentially growing market projected to experience continued rapid and extensive growth.

Graduates of Northwestern’s Healthcare Management concentrations will receive increased marketability and immediate recognition in this field, where management positions are high level of entry not only in terms of income, but also responsibility.

This is a pivotal and crucial time in our nation’s collective health, with a quickly rising need for grace-filled end-oflife care, sound and godly resources for addressing mental health issues, and ongoing pandemic policy and research.

“We want to put Christ-centered people into these high-level positions,” explained Nelson, “because Christian values create an excellent platform for delivering exceptional care.”

Visit unwsp.edu/hcm to learn about Northwestern’s new Healthcare Management programs.

MBA CONCENTRATION IN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT Northwestern offers 100-percent online Healthcare Management programs at the undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate level—including a graduate certificate option.

MBA candidates gain critical business and health-related hard skills sought after by leading healthcare organizations. Professionals with the knowledge and tools acquired with a Healthcare Management concentration are equipped to address the sophisticated challenges of today’s global business environment and have a competitive advantage in the quickly growing healthcare industry.

HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT COURSES INCLUDE: • Healthcare Financial Systems

• Law & Ethics in Healthcare

• Healthcare Policy & Management

• Leadership in Healthcare

The 14-credit Healthcare Management concentration allows students to graduate with healthcare-specific expertise for the same time, credit, and cost of the full MBA program.

Earn an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management in as little as 24 months.

HANNAH RIED ’20 Photo: Ken Jones FALL 2021

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Academics

EXCELLING IN ANALYTICS UNW Data Analytics students rise to the top among peers | by LINDA LaFROMBOIS Only four years old, University of Northwestern’s Data Analytics program is making a mark in the Twin Cities and beyond—a testament to the caliber of the students, program, and faculty.

ACADEMICS > EXCELLING IN ANALYTICS

An inaugural UNW Data Analytics team placed fifth out of 21 teams in the TRUAnalytics Global Analytics Competition in March 2021. Davis Pfaff ’21, Business Data Analytics major, Emily Schleter ’21, Business Data Analytics and Accounting double major, and Jacob Rankin ’21, Business Data Analytics and Accounting double major, had a perfect testing score in the competition. In addition, their presentation performance moved them into the fifth-ranking position overall.

Winners of the competition included the University of Hawai’i, University of North Dakota, and Wake Forest.

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Matthew Schonberg ’21, double major in Data Analytics and Applied Mathematics, finished fifth in the undergrad division of the MinneAnalytics Madness data analytics competition. For the competition, student teams built predictive models to construct a tournament bracket and predict the outcomes of the 2021 NCAA Division Men’s Basketball Tournament. The event included more than 50 teams with 38 in the undergraduate division.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN

Jacob Rankin, Emily Schleter, and Davis Pfaff placed fifth at the 2021 TRUAnalytics Global Analytics Competition.

Photo: Submitted

Kristine Stedman ’22, Data Analytics and Marketing double major, received a $1,000 Data Analytics scholarship from MinneAnalytics in recognition of her proficiency in and commitment to applying marketplace analytical skills. MinneAnalytics is a nonprofit organization serving the data science and emerging technology community in Minnesota, the Upper Midwest, and beyond through conferences and educational events.

This year also marked the start of a new “Data Science and Analytics Club” led by Data Analytics major Caleb Nilson ’22. The club holds regularly scheduled meetings and hosted an internal competition among UNW students. Paige Bruggeman ’22 was the first student winner.

Matthew Schonberg placed fifth in a field of 50 teams at the 2021 MinneAnalytics data analytics competition.

Photo: Jon Nykanen

“We are proud of the accomplishments of our students,” said Jonathan Zderad, chair of the Department of Computing, Data & Mathematical Sciences and associate professor of Mathematics. “Their success is a testament to their dedication and the rigor of Northwestern’s Data Analytics program. While most college-level data analytics programs are computer science programs with some data analytics tacked on at the end, our program is unique in that students are taking data analytics courses at the beginning.”

Kristine Stedman (pictured with Mark Antiel, left, and Dr. Jessa Nelson, right) received a $1,000 MinneAnalytics scholarship.

Photo: Ashley Kinley

FACULTY

2021 FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING

AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCHOLARSHIP

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE

Kirk Moss, Ph.D. John C. Donaldson III, MBA Assistant Professor of Business

John Donaldson received the 2021 Faculty Excellence in Teaching award, which honors outstanding classroom performance and excellence in related areas. Donaldson was selected for the award through a survey of more than 500 juniors, seniors, and young alumni. Votes were given based on quality of classroom presentation, variability of classroom presentation for enriched learning, enthusiasm for teaching, care for students, ability to inspire students in the subject, ability to relate their faith and discipline together, quality of academic advising, and availability to students.

Donaldson joined Northwestern as an adjunct faculty member in 2015 and continues to teach in the School of Business. He brings 25 years of marketing and strategic planning experience to the classroom, having served as a senior executive working with Fortune 1000 companies such as PepsiCo, S.C. Johnson, and Lifetouch.

Dean of College of Arts & Humanities, Chair for the Department of Music & Theatre, and Professor of Music

Gale Sewell, Ph.D., MSN, RN

Dr. Kirk Moss was honored with the 2021 Faculty Excellence in Scholarship award, which recognizes contributions by faculty members to their academic disciplines. Moss’s nomination cited extraordinary work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a blog published through Alfred Music Publishers outlining how to mitigate risk for the arts which became the framework for strategies at Northwestern and universities across the country. Ionizers and UV-C MicroBlasters installed in response to Moss’s research allowed practices and performances to continue safely on campus.

Dr. Gale Sewell is recipient of the 2021 Faculty Excellence in Outstanding Service award, which honors faculty who exemplify service to college, profession, community, and church.

Sewell served as a School of Nursing consultant before joining the faculty in 2013. She provided expertise in course development and content leveling, identified professional-standard requirements, and established benchmarks to ensure safe, excellent nursing care. Sewell has served on Northwestern’s Global Initiatives Strategic Plan Committee, Alpha Committee, Faculty Senate, and all School of Nursing committees. She also leads ministry trips for nursing students to countries including Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Moss has served with the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) as national president, Executive Board member, and National Orchestra Festival chair. He coauthored the Sound Innovations series of method books for Alfred Music, composed numerous string orchestra and solo arrangements, and has appeared as guest conductor, clinician, or adjudicator in nearly 40 states and Australia.

Associate Professor of Nursing

Prior to joining Northwestern, Sewell was nurse administrator at Brethren in Christ Church in Zimbabwe, Africa. She developed a General Nurse Program in a rural Zimbabwe district and served as director of School of Nursing at Tsholotsho District Hospital.

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BUILDING WATER NETWORK MODELING

Faculty

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT Dr. Matthew Hyre, Engineering | by LINDA LaFROMBOIS

Matthew Hyre, Ph.D., associate professor of Engineering, has been awarded two contracts to continue scholarship and engage University of Northwestern engineering students in high-level research.

Hyre was awarded a contract involving the evaluation of piping networks to reduce the growth and spread of Legionella bacteria in stagnant building water systems as they reopen after prolonged shutdowns. This work will be in cooperation with several industry groups— ThermOmegaTech, located near Philadelphia, and the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials of Ontario, California—and may provide the platform for the evaluation of future building water systems.

The water network modeling will involve the development of mathematical models to evaluate the dynamic response of building water supply systems to changes in water demand.

The focus will be on creating a flexible computational platform to evaluate piping and valve designs, including the thermal and fluid dynamic behavior.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PROJECT Through a second contract award, Hyre will numerically evaluate novel technologies for the treatment of wastewater

by Envirodyne Systems in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. These technologies are aimed at helping water treatment facilities meet stringent environmental requirements while cutting operation and maintenance costs.

This project involves the development of computational models for the visualization of the hydrodynamics (water flow patterns) and solids movement as they are being removed from the separation tanks. These multiphase models require the determination of the water level in the tank as well as the solids separation efficiencies for various treatment technologies. Hyre and his student team completed Phase I of the study and are working on the second of three phases.

In addition to providing field research opportunity for Hyre, a key benefit of these contracts is the opportunity for Northwestern students to play a significant role in a level of research often reserved for graduate students in many universities. Students working alongside Hyre in these projects play active roles in writing code and testing models. It’s an opportunity for students to apply what they’ve learned in class to a real problem with real deadlines for a real client.

Hyre received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He taught at Virginia Military Institute before joining Northwestern’s faculty in 2010. Hyre has authored numerous papers and lectured around the world in the fields of computational modeling and biomedical applications.

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FACULTY

BOOKS & CONTRIBUTIONS

W. Edward Glenny, Ph.D., The T&T Clark Handbook of Septuagint Research (T&T Clark, 2021)

Joshua Bauder, Ph.D., “What God Ordains is Always Good,” Christian Worship: Hymnal (Northwestern Publishing, 2021)

Kirk Moss, Ph.D., “You are the music while the music lasts,” Rehearsing the High School Orchestra (Meredith Music Publications, 2021)

W. Edward Glenny, Ph.D., “Textual History of the Minor Prophets: Hebrew Manuscripts and Versions,” The Oxford Handbook of the Minor Prophets (Oxford University Press, 2021)

Larry Siekawitch, Ph.D., Beyond a Reasonable Doubt: A Case for Common Sense Christianity (Page Publishing, Inc., 2020)

Melissa Bartman Mork, Ph.D., “Otherwise, They’ll Kill You (And Other Reasons to Use Humor in the Classroom),” Teach Psychology with a Sense of Humor (Curious Academic Publishing, 2021)

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Faculty

HONORING RETIRING FACULTY Pamela Solvie—10 years at UNW

Dr. Pamela Solvie brought a high level of excellence to Northwestern’s School of Education as Professor of Early Childhood Education and as the Coordinator of Early Childhood Education. She also brought her deep-level expertise to a variety of leadership roles, including Education Teacher Performance Assessment, Program Director for the Master of Arts in Education (MAED) in Northwestern’s Graduate Studies Program, and Director of Global Initiatives, through which she established many new global partnerships that benefit Northwestern’s students and faculty.

Most recently, Solvie did extensive work in the development and implementation of the university’s Diversity and Inclusion strategic planning and co-led a 10-week Cultural Intelligence seminar for faculty and staff throughout the university.

“Pam is a humble individual who contains tremendous inner strength that is grounded in our Lord. I greatly appreciate Pam’s commitment to excellence, her quiet caring spirit, and her courage in leadership.” —Dr. Susan Johnson, Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Professor of Elementary Education

Larry Gronewold—11 years at UNW

FACULTY > HONORING RETIRING FACULTY

Larry Gronewold, MFA, came to Northwestern following 21 years as a K–12 art teacher and served in both the Department of Art & Design and the School of Education as art instructor and Art Education Coordinator.

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Highly gifted in his work with elementary and secondary students, Gronewold shared his expertise and faith with Northwestern’s teacher education candidates through his teaching and Christ-centered mentorship.

In the School of Education, Gronewold coordinated multiple program revisions and extensive state reporting. In addition to art instruction, his work in the Department of Art & Design involved serving as faculty supervisor on student trips to Egypt and Germany, as well as engaging the community and providing exhibit experience to students through the organization of on-campus art shows.

“Professor Gronewold is known for his kindheartedness, his passion for visual arts education, and his commitment to student success. He especially appreciated witnessing the growth of Education majors from the foundational level of their coursework to their culminating student-teaching semester. He will be greatly missed in the School of Education community.” —Dr. Lara Bronson, Assistant Dean/Chair of the School of Education and Professor of Education

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FACULTY

The tenure of four long-time University of Northwestern faculty drew to close at the 2020–21 academic year.

Collectively, John Easterling, Ph.D., Larry Gronewold, MEd, Dr. Phillip Norris, DMA, and Dr. Pamela Solvie, Ph.D., shared their expertise, leadership, and encouragement with students, colleagues, and the larger Northwestern community for 80 years. The presence and partnership of these esteemed faculty will be greatly missed, but their legacy and ongoing role as cherished members of the Northwestern family will continue to bless many.

Philip Norris—28 years at UNW

Dr. Philip Norris served as Professor of Music at Northwestern for 28 years, teaching courses in instrumental music education, music theory, music technology, music history, trumpet, and wind instruments. In 2004, he received Northwestern’s “Excellence in Teaching Award” and in 2014, his sabbatical took him to Mainland China, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore, where he taught and performed in seven universities and five international schools. His recitals featured a musical setting of John 3:16, that he composed to provide a straightforward opportunity to share the story of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In 2015, Kendall Hunt Publishing released his faith-based music appreciation textbook, the textbook Northwestern uses for the Intro to Music course. Norris will continue as an adjunct instructor.

“Phil has more than 30 published musical compositions and arrangements, but at Northwestern we know him best as the staff arranger for Christmas at Northwestern, having regularly scored hymns for our annual concert of worship. We look forward to seeing him on campus as an adjunct instructor and learning more about how God is leading in his life.” —Dr. Kirk Moss, Dean of the College of Arts & Humanities, Chair of the Department of Music & Theatre, and Professor of Music

John Easterling—31 years at UNW

Over the course of 31 years at Northwestern, Dr. John Easterling provided leadership for the Intercultural Studies (ICS) program, an internship program that has engaged hundreds of students in meaningful overseas ministry. The ICS program and Dr. Easterling’s leadership, in particular, have led numerous students to pursue full-time global missions.

Easterling came to Northwestern in 1988 after serving in seven different US churches and investing 10 years as a church planter and evangelist in France. His heart for reaching people with the Gospel through overseas missions has had a tremendous impact on students, as has his deep care and ongoing commitment to their post-baccalaureate ministries.

“Dr. Easterling went above and beyond in his preparation for the Intercultural Studies trip to ensure students had dynamic experience in multiple countries and first-hand engagement in ministry. Dr. Easterling had a distinct calling to serve God at Northwestern by training the next generation of mission leaders.” —Dr. Dale Lemke, Chair of the Department of Christian Ministries, Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, and Program Director for the Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership programs

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MUSIC PERSEVERANCE THROUGH ADVERSITY

NORTHWESTERN WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR OF BANDS

Throughout the pandemic, Northwestern mitigated risks of virus transmission through distancing, instrument bell and face coverings, hand sanitizing, outdoor performances, and air treatment to present 47 in-person theatre performances and 40 in-person music concerts and recitals. Every rehearsal, whether from the seating area of Knight Performance Hall with our instrumental ensembles or outdoors in the Nazareth Hall veranda with our choirs, provided an opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness to us through music and theatre.

Northwestern recently announced the hiring of Dr. Cassandra Bechard as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music. Dr. Bechard most recently served at the University of Dubuque, Iowa. After having directed bands at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and teaching bassoon at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa.

Dr. Bechard earned dual bachelor’s degrees from Central Michigan University, a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University, and a doctor of musical arts from the University of Minnesota. In addition to her role at Northwestern, Dr. Bechard also serves as an artistic director and conductor of Seward Concert Band in Minneapolis.

Photo: Bethany Barrette 34

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN

MUSIC & THEATRE

THEATRE RECENT MUSIC & THEATRE STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ALUMNI CREATES LOCAL THEATRE OPPORTUNITIES

Emma Troff ’21, piano, and Brenna Coons ’23, soprano, were named winners of the 2021 Concerto-Aria Competition in the Instrumental and Vocal categories, respectively. Honorable mentions went to Katherine Strand ’21, harp, and Emma Davis ’23, soprano. Winners performed as featured guests with the UNW Orchestra in May.

Faith Winship ’19, Theatre major, started Create Together Theatre, a new Twin Cities theatre company with a focus on “producing children’s theatre camps and creating theatre opportunities for local artists.” Jennifer Hunter, Northwestern’s director and professor of Theatre, directed the company’s debut production, “Last Train to Nibroc” at the Phoenix Theater. A number of UNW students and alumni held roles in the production, including Cameron Dahlstrom ’21, Brenna Hay ’19, Kathryn (Farrel ’20) Howard, Megan Liesmaki ’20, Lauren Mattson ’22, Wes Muilenburg ’20, Nathan Potts ’19, Lindsey Schmidt ’22, Jonah Smith ’21, Kendall Winship ’24, Jacob Wright ’22, and Siri Monroy Wright ’22. Winship also performed as lead actress in the play.

Ashley Gonzalez ’22, Music and Business Administration double major, is founder and director of Radiant Rhythm Initiative, the organization behind St. Cloud’s annual Swinging into Summer Tap Festival. An internationally-awarded tap dancer, Gonzalez has performed for the 2018 Governors Ball Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, 2018 MLBA All Star Pre-Party Concert in Washington, D.C., and Voices of the People Welcome Celebration for the 2017 Presidential Inauguration.

Elijah Hager ’22, baritone, won second place in the 2020 Minnesota Sings Virtual Contest (13- to 20-year-olds division). His cash award was sponsored by the Optimist Club of Roseville.

Emma Davis ’23, Zach Hedner ’21, Caleb Hustedde ’21, Mackenzie Kroll ’23, and Sydney Lanning ’23 were named Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region Five finalists for the Musical Theatre Intensive, which celebrates and recognizes outstanding musical theatre students and offers educational opportunities to work with musical theatre professionals.

Theatre majors Joshua Row ’23 and Jonah Smith ’21 were named Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finalists for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) five-state Region Five. Smith and Row are the first actors from UNW to advance to finals. Grace Klapak ’22 advanced to the semi-final round.

Photo: Bethany Barrette FALL 2021

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EAGLES ATHLETICS Northwestern competed in over 300 athletic events—most among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III member-institutions—in 2020– 2021. Seven of UNW’s 20 athletics programs advanced to an NCAA or NCCAA National Tournament: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, and Volleyball.

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Men’s Basketball won the 2021 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) championship—the third in program history. Even though the NCAA Division III did not sponsor a national tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eagles still finished with a 17–3 overall record under head coach Tim Grosz ’92.

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The Northwestern baseball team won its first Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) championship since 1996 and advanced to its first NCAA Division III regional tournament. UNW—the tournament host—won three NCAA playoff games but lost in a winnertake-all championship against Johns Hopkins in a bid to advance to the College World Series.

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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN

Damon Clapper ’22 was named to the D3Football.com AllRegion team. Clapper, a junior linebacker, was a force on defense for Northwestern in its pandemic-shortened spring 2021 season. Competing in both games the Eagles played this year, the junior had two interceptions, a sack, a tackle for loss, 13 total tackles, a rushing touchdown on offense, and a blocked a kick on special teams.

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The men’s lacrosse team received an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament after defeating Monmouth College in the Midwest Lacrosse Conference (MLC) tournament championship. The MLC championship gave Northwestern the opportunity to be the first men’s lacrosse team from Minnesota to qualify for the NCAA playoffs.

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UNW softball coach Alicia du’Monceaux ’09 was honored as the NCCAA Game Plan 4 LIFE Female Staff Character Award winner. The honor recognizes studentathletes and athletics staff members that embody the Christian character qualities of love, integrity, faith, and excellence. The 2021 season represented du’Monceaux’s 13th year at the helm of Northwestern’s program.

In response to the award, senior student-athlete Courtney Schmidt ’21 described du’Monceaux as more than just a coach for her players: “She also fills the role of a friend, a mother, a mentor, and a teacher for us.”

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UNW had 162 studentathletes earn UMAC Academic All-Conference throughout 2020–2021. Individuals who earn a 3.5 grade point average or better during their respective semester(s) of competition are recognized with such honors. The Eagles baseball (3.35), men’s golf (3.66), and men’s tennis (3.61) teams had the highest GPA for their sports among the eight UMACmember institutions.

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Photos: Kiera Brown, Annie Coppock, Matt Hill, Alicia Korpi, Holden Law, Russ & Kathy Nelson, and Jeff Nycz FALL 2021

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ALUMNI UPDATES

ALUMNI UPDATES

We would love to hear how God is working in your life. Update your profile online at unwsp.edu/alumni

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ALUMNI

1940s

1960s

Ralph Horn ’49 went home to be with the Lord in 2016. Ralph’s wife, Gwen (Spear ’49) passed away on February 6, 2021.

At age 100, Richard M. Levering ’50, who attended Northwestern Seminary, entered into the presence of his beloved Heavenly Father on May 6, 2021.

Wally ’60 and Donna (Johanson ’60) Schoon have been serving in Sweden for 48 years with Torchbearers International—a worldwide Bible school and conference ministry. An important aspect of ministry has been providing discipleship materials to Christians, particularly in Latvia. Wally had material translated into Latvian, which became a book entitled New Life in Christ. The thrust of the book is to ground Christians in the principles of the sufficiency of Christ.

Lavina (Esterly ’53) and Henry Terhark celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on May 27, 2020!

Marie (Thayer ’63) Johnson went home to be with the Lord on April 24, 2021.

1950s

Alan Skogerbo ’54 went home to be with the Lord on January 12, 2021.

Irma Warr ’55 passed away on February 28, 2021. Irma was a servant, a giver, and a gracious hostess to people from every continent except Antarctica (although if some penguins had ever waddled through the door, she would have gladly made them some tea and told them about Jesus).

Bernard (Bernie) O’Brien ’57 graduated to glory on February 6, 2021.

A memorial service was held at Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

After graduation from Northwestern, Bernie served churches in Cheyenne and Kingsburg, California, and Knox Presbyterian in Minneapolis. He took over 40 short-term mission trips.

Richard ’58 and Zoma (Kumerow ’58) Edstrom recently sold their house and moved into Founders Ridge Presbyterian Home in Bloomington, Minnesota.

George McCraken ’58 is now a retired pastor. His wife, Norva (Everts) McCraken, went home to be with the Lord on February 1, 2021.

1970s Thomas ’79 and Paula (Abraham ’79) Houvenagle are excited to share that their daughter, Anna, married Jeremy Kerber on August 30, 2020.

1980s Nate Bostrom ’80 was appointed to the board of directors of the Community Foundation for Carver County (Minnesota) and honored with the “Service Above Self” award from the Chaska (Minnesota) Rotary Club.

Steve Peterson ’81 recently celebrated 40 years of ministry. Steve has worked with Timber Bay, Family Hope Services, Treehouse, and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Since 2011, Steve has served as the director of programs at Mission at Kern County (California) serving those who are homeless, addicted, and lost.

Rose Peterson ’81 has been operating her own music teaching studio in Minnesota and California for over 30 years. Together, Steve and Rose have two children and seven grandchildren.

Kenneth Dalbey ’82 went home to be with the Lord on October 21, 2020.

David Condiff ’82 is now serving as executive publisher and director of sales at Four Rivers Media, which publishes for the AVAIL leadership brand.

Roberta Hansen ’83 has been serving children with developmental delays and their families on Chicago’s north side for nearly 20 years through the Illinois IDEA Part C Early Intervention program.

Kent ’84 and Laurie (Johnson ’85) Schmidt are currently living in Emmetsburg, Iowa. They are proud grandparents of twin boys, born in November 2019. Kent retired from the U.S. Air Force, where he was a chaplain and lieutenant colonel, and recently started working as chaplain preceptor for the state of Iowa and St. Croix Hospice in Oakdale, Minnesota. Laurie began her eighth year as a professor and Director of Success Center at Iowa Lakes Community College.

Peter ’84 and Gaby Reid live in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Peter serves as director of Bodenseehof, one of the Torchbearer conference centers, and also serves as the International Director of Torchbearers International. Gaby is a physiotherapist and serves with Peter in the Torchbearers ministry.

Both of their kids are married and live in Germany.

Gracia (Shindo ’86) Reed received her Master of Business Administration degree in August 2020 from Huntington University.

She is grateful for the opportunity and excited to see what God has next for her.

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1990s

2000s

David ’96 and Gretchen (Bearth ’93) Spooner now have two generations of Northwestern graduates in their family, with daughters Anna and Deborah Spooner graduating from Northwestern in 2018. Dave is the lead pastor at Crosspoint Church, where Gretchen directs children’s ministry and Bible studies. Anna works as a nurse at Vanderbilt University Hospital, and Deborah serves as a marketing strategist at LifeWay.

Steve Stepec ’02 started a new job as the worship pastor at Faith Evangelical Church in Woodruff, Wisconsin.

John Morency ’93 is a small group cohost of a Connect group at Emmanuel Christian Center in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, where he has been a member since the fall of 2017. John is the Vice President of Education of the Toastmasters Club Mills Early Risers, where he has received several advanced speaking awards. He sings bass in a barbershop chorus The North Star Chorus in St. Paul.

ALUMNI UPDATES

Jennifer (Anderson ’96) and Jacob Cryder are still enjoying life in Alaska.

Their three adult children have moved on to new pursuits, with one very active high school sophomore at home.

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Jonathan Loopstra’s ’99 fifth book was recently published by the respected academic publisher Peeters in Belgium. It is an edition and study of the manuscripts that early Middle Eastern Christians used to read, recite, and study the Bible and church fathers.

Written in Syriac and Greek, these are some of the most extensive Christian school textbooks. Dr. Loopstra was also awarded a highly competitive fellowship grant as a member in the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton during his sabbatical year in 2020–21. While in residence, he worked to finish a book on Christian, Jewish, and early Muslim scriptural reading and recitation practices in antiquity.

UNIVERSITY OF NORTHWESTERN

Timothy ’04 and Katie (Helmbrecht ’05) Wiertzema welcomed their newest addition, Aubrey Anna, in August 2020 and are currently building their dream house out in the country. God has brought them through a lot in the past 14 years of marriage and they are thankful for His blessings and His faithfulness.

Laine (Martens ’05) married Jason VanBuskirk on May 27, 2020 in Santa Barbara, California. They are currently living in Ventura, California, and welcomed son Jack Charles on February 12, 2021.

Jenny (Collins ’05) married Ben Damon on December 20, 2020. Jenny is a realtor with Edina Realty and Ben works for Medtronic. They live in Eagan, Minnesota. Ben’s mother, Becky Damon, went to Northwestern for a year in the 1970s. His uncle Bat and aunt Ruth Bliss are also Northwestern alumni from the Minneapolis campus.

Nicholas ’16 and Amber (Wilson ’06) Kmoch welcomed their fifth child, Mariah Faith, on May 20, 2020 after struggling with unexpected loss and infertility. Amber is a stay-at-home mom, and Nick, who graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Northwestern in 2018, continues to work at Greater Iowa Youth for Christ.

He also serves as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Rev. Trent Johnson ’07 was installed as the new Senior Pastor of Antwerp Christian Fellowship (ACF) in Antwerp, Belgium, in September 2021.

ACF is an international, Englishlanguage congregation affiliated with the International Baptist Conference, representing approximately 40 nations/people groups. Trent’s wife Julie recently finished her tenure as a longtime employee in Northwestern’s Music and Theatre department.

After spending nine years in Wuhan and Qingdao, China, with international schools, Warren McLeod ’08, moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, in December of 2020 to serve international university students in full-time ministry with Friends International.

Christy (Anderson ’08) Jones recently completed her MFA in Creative Writing from Lindenwood University and has works published or forthcoming in Eunoia Review, The Collidescope, Quatrain.Fish, Scarlet Leaf Review, and Crepe & Penn.

Laura (Pankonin ’08) and Kevin Hall were married on July 25th, 2020.

John Hulett ’09 published The Call to Discipleship and What it Means to Follow Jesus: A Template to Follow Christ with AuthorHouse on October 19, 2020.

Jana (Schumann ’09) and Jonathon Evink welcomed two children the past two years. Josiah is now an older brother to Lily, who was welcomed in May of 2018, and to Case, who was welcomed in July of 2020.

Nathan (’11) and Elisabeth (Lemke ’09) Salzwedel welcomed Vivienne Elise on January 15, 2020.

We would love to hear how God is working in your life.

Update your profile online at unwsp.edu/alumni

ALUMNI

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2010s LaWonda Clark ’10 is presently a student at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. She recently received a scholarship to attend the Harvard University School of Medicine’s Biotechnology and the Future of Medicine. In addition, she is a member of the ethics committee at Regions Hospital serving HealthPartners and Park Nicollet.

Brandon and Brittany (Werner ’11) Culp welcomed Delta Ryan seven weeks early on April 5, 2018. Since then, Brandon and Brittany have moved from Oregon to Wisconsin in June 2018, purchased their first home in June 2019, and are now expecting their second baby in May 2021.

After planning their wedding ceremony three times due to COVID-19, Natalee (’11) and Justin Stockdale circled back to having a homey celebration in their new backyard in late 2020. They finally were able to celebrate with the support of family and friends!

Natalee graduated with a master's degree in Art Therapy from Adler Graduate School in December 2020.

Sam ’12 and Kelsey (Johnson ’13) Lepa welcomed a baby girl, Lucy, on February 12, 2021. Their family is doing well and they are praising God for the addition of Lucy to their family.

ALUMNI UPDATES

Gabe ’12 and Jessica (Knell ’12) Jefferson welcomed a baby girl, Taytum Rose, on October 13, 2020. She joins her sister Shylee and brothers Judah and Zion. The Jeffersons reside in Lincoln, Nebraska, where Gabe works as a physician assistant in a family practice clinic. Jessica is the Internal Auditor and Finance Coordinator at Lincoln Public Schools.

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ALUMNI

Jessica (Krueger ’12) and Justin Luther welcomed Emery on July 13, 2020.

Alexander Redmann ’17 married Rebekah Elgard ’14 on July 25, 2020.

Monte Abeler ’12 and wife Jaimie welcomed Adalie Marie on July 5, 2020! Adalie means “God is my refuge.” Monte and Jaimie pray she will always find the deep joy, delight, and peace that comes with knowing God as her Refuge (Psalm 5). Marie is significant because “Addie” shares a birthday with her Aunt Marie—a Northwestern alumna. It is also her grandma Lisa’s (also a UNW alumna) middle name as well.

Hannah Moua ’15 graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in the spring of 2021. She is grateful to all her Northwestern professors who helped her get where she is!

William Ellison ’13 retired in 2017 after 30 years and four deployments.

He now works for Dairy Farmers of America and has moved to New Jersey to be closer to family. Thank you for your service William!

Daniel Moua ’13 married Yer Vang ’13 in St. Paul, Minnesota, on August 8, 2020. Yer also passed the 2020 bar exam to become an attorney at SPS Immigration.

Jordan ’13 and Shelby (Kaihoi ’13) Prins celebrated birth of Brooks on September 7, 2020.

This past year, Kristina (Iwan ’13) Marti stepped away from teaching in the classroom and purchased The Yellow Door Music Studio in Eagle Lake, Minnesota, where she teaches private music lessons. God has definitely blessed this venture and Kristina and her husband Daniel are very excited to see where this coming year takes them. The couple is also expecting their second child in fall 2020!

Nate ’14 and Haley (Hultgren ’14) Thannum welcomed Norah Alysia to their family on June 24, 2021.

Carl Thong ’16 graduated with a Doctor of Ministry in Strategic Leadership from Corban University in May 2021.

Jonathan ’17 and Kathryn (Manning ’17) Greener were married at Northwestern in May of 2019 and moved to Windom, Minnesota, where Jonathan is a senior pastor at the evangelical free church and Kathryn is a freelance grant writer. Jonathan earned his Master of Divinity degree from Northwestern a week before the couple relocated.

Abby Jewett ’18 received a graduate teaching fellowship from the University of St. Thomas to study creative writing and publishing. In addition to her studies, Abby helps teach English courses to degreeseeking students at the Dougherty Family College.

Equipping students to grow intellectually and spiritually to serve effectively in their professions.

Kati Hoehl ’18 was recently hired as a video and graphics producer at Calvary Church in Roseville, Minnesota, and is grateful to be working in a field with other like-minded, creative people.

Collin ’19 and Elizabeth (Poppen ’17) Anderson have both entered into careers, got a dog, and bought a house three miles from campus after falling in love with the area during their time at Northwestern. Collin is now a realtor with Re/Max Results and absolutely loves his job.

2020s Melissa Moget ’20 is attending Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions to pursue a doctorate degree in occupational therapy. She plans to graduate in spring 2023.

We would love to hear how God is working in your life.

Update your profile online at unwsp.edu/alumni

Giving God-honoring leadership in the home, church, community, and world.

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