#RaidersStandOut
We’re Raider Nation. We lead and serve. We’re smart and strong. Courageous and faithful. We achieve—not for ourselves, but because excellence honors God and serves others.
Meredith
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Meredith Sundberg, an elementary education and music education major from Kearney, Nebraska. From the classroom to the concert hall, Meredith is living out her faith and she’s giving all the glory to God. #RaidersStandOut
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Van Sickle Brothers
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Payton, Brady and Carson Van Sickle, brothers from Ogden, Iowa, who found more than a team at Northwestern. They found a community that challenges them and walks alongside them in faith.
From running together on the track and cross country teams to growing in community, they are learning what it means to lead, disciple and pursue Christ together. #RaidersStandOut
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Tatum
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Tatum Schmalbeck, an elementary education major from Sioux Center, Iowa. Through hands-on classroom experience, Raider softball, and Summer of Service mission trips, she’s discovering what it means to lead with integrity and serve with humility—wherever God calls her. #RaidersStandOut
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Diego
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Diego Quintero, a civil engineering major from Chicago, Illinois. Moving far from home wasn’t easy, but with the support of teammates, faculty and a host family, Northwestern became more than a campus—it became a place where he knows he belongs. #RaidersStandOut
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Hayden
SMART + STRONG. Meet Hayden Groos, a triple major in biology, chemistry and math from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. At Northwestern, he’s discovering that true strength isn’t just physical—it’s discipline and faith in action. #RaidersStandOut
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Nathania
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Nathania Smith, a business administration-marketing major from Cañon City, Colorado. From her first campus visit, she knew Northwestern was different—a place full of opportunities to say “yes” and a place that enabled her to find a true sense of belonging within a vibrant, Christ-centered community. #RaidersStandOut
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Liv
SMART + STRONG. Meet Liv Reitsma, a sport management-leadership major from Papillion, Nebraska. From the volleyball court to the classroom, she’s learning what it means to use both heart and mind—to grow in faith, serve others and lead by example. #RaidersStandOut
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Lewis Twins
LEAD + SERVE. Meet twin brothers Joshua and Jacob Lewis—biochemistry majors and student-athletes from Charleston, South Carolina—who are answering God’s call to lead and serve with heart. From the classroom to the mission field, their story is one of faith and preparing for a future in medicine. #RaidersStandOut
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Caden
SMART + STRONG. Meet Caden Kleinwolterink, an exercise science major from Boyden, Iowa, who is living out what it means to be a Raider—intentional in his academics, driven by faith, and rising to the challenge of Northwestern’s call to excellence. #RaidersStandOut
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Allie
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Allie Oberhelman, a political science and Spanish double major from Pomeroy, Iowa, who aspires to become an immigration lawyer. Northwestern is equipping her with the tools to pursue her calling—combining passion with purpose in both her career and spiritual life. #RaidersStandOut
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Josiah
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Josiah Troutner, a biblical and theological studies and worship arts major from Marshalltown, Iowa, who is pursuing pastoral ministry. His Northwestern experience has enabled him to explore his passions, study abroad and make meaningful connections—all while growing in his faith. #RaidersStandOut
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Princess
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Princess Bola-Lawal, a medical laboratory science major from Nigeria, who is dedicated to being a beacon of light and sharing love with those around her, embodying the spirit of Northwestern’s motto, “Deus est Lux”—God is Light. #RaidersStandOut
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Rachel + Nikki
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Rachel Henriksen, a nursing major from Armstrong, Iowa, and Nikki Wede ’13, a nursing professor at Northwestern. Rooted in the values of the Raider nursing department, they strive to embody Christ-like care that makes a difference in the lives of their patients. #RaidersStandOut
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Noah
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Noah Lopez, a sport management business and media marketing double major from Hesperia, California, who is shaping his college experiences into a future career in athletics. #RaidersStandOut
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Emma
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Emma Korn, an exercise science major from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who serves as a discipleship group leader, student athletic trainer and admissions ambassador on campus. #RaidersStandOut
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Elijah
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Elijah Weaver, an elementary education major from Forest City, Iowa, who is involved as a track athlete, resident assistant and member of the worship team. #RaidersStandOut
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Mari
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Mari Langton, a social work major from Orange City, Iowa, who is involved as a Bridge Scholar and cheerleader.
#RaidersStandOut
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Jack
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Jack MacGregor, a theatre major from Denison, Iowa, who is active on the worship team, in discipleship groups, and in theatre productions. #RaidersStandOut
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Grace + Bill
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Grace and Bill Westrate of Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Grace is a business management major and honors student who’s studied abroad twice. Bill, a 1994 NWC alum, serves as the chair and CEO of American Family Insurance and is a member of Northwestern’s Board of Trustees. #RaidersStandOut
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Gabe + Jackson
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Gabe Heitz, an accounting major from Adel, Iowa, and Jackson Stroud, a Northwestern NEXT program student from Ponca, Nebraska. The two Raiders have developed a strong friendship as they inspire each other to grow personally and spiritually. #RaidersStandOut
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Julian
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Julian Reyes Palma, an elementary education major from Rock Valley, Iowa, who serves as a member of the campus ministry and Raider wrestling teams. #RaidersStandOut
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Zavyr
SMART + STRONG. Meet Zavyr Metzger, a nursing major from Larchwood, Iowa, who was named the 2023 GPAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year following her standout season with the #1 Raider volleyball team. #RaidersStandOut
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