Distinguished alumni

Felipe ’12 and Janelle (de Waard ’11) Silva Standout Young Alum

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

Award year: 2023