#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.
Kenzie on Going to College Close to Home
Kenzie Kurtz, a student from Orange City, says attending college in her hometown is “a really beautiful dynamic. I am able to go home when I choose to, but I also have my own life here.” #RaiderStandOut
Grace + Bill Westrate
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
Gabe Heitz + Jackson Stroud
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Gabe Heitz, and 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
Kobi Baccam
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Kobi Baccam, an elementary education major from Hull, Iowa, who plays soccer for the Raiders, is a Bridge Scholar, and serves with the NWC campus ministry team. #RaidersStandOut
Isaiah Gritters
SMART + STRONG. Meet Isaiah Gritters, a Pella, Iowa, student with four majors: biology-health professions, chemistry, finance and economics. He also serves as a peer tutor, member of the Student Government Association and researcher with the NWC chemistry department. #RaidersStandOut
Rik Dahl + Jake Francksen-Small
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Rik Dahl ’97, head coach of the Raider wrestling team, and Jake Francksen-Small, an exercise science major and Raider wrestler from Merrill, Iowa. Together the two use wrestling as a way of sharing the gospel. #RaidersStandOut
Martha Stein
SMART + STRONG. Meet Martha Stein, a biology-health professions and chemistry double major from Milford, Iowa, who golfs for the Raiders and serves as a biochemical researcher with the Northwestern chemistry department. #RaidersStandOut
Julian Reyes Palma
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
Molly Schany
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Molly Schany, an exercise science major from Emmetsburg, Iowa, who’s an all-conference forward on the Raider basketball team and a peer tutor on campus. #RaidersStandOut
Zavyr Metzger
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
Kyle Van Den Bosch
Meet Kyle Van Den Bosch, head coach of the #1 Northwestern College Raider volleyball team and 2023 GPAC Coach of the Year. #RaidersStandOut
Gerrard Uamai
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Gerrard Uamai, a software engineering major from Dundalk, Ireland, who serves as a campuswide discipleship group coordinator and forward for the Raider men’s soccer team. #RaidersStandOut
Kenzie Kurtz
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Kenzie Kurtz, a social work major from Orange City, Iowa, who says her Northwestern College experience has taught her to own her faith and be bold in the abilities God has given her. #RaiderStandOut
Jalyn Gramstad
SMART + STRONG. Meet Jalyn Gramstad, a business-finance major from Lester, Iowa, who seeks to put Christ first in all he does—including his role as the quarterback for Northwestern’s defending national championship football team. #RaidersStandOut
Andrew De Noble
SMART + STRONG. Meet Andrew De Noble, an exercise science major from Rock Rapids, Iowa, who aspires to help people heal through physical therapy—just as he did. #RaidersStandOut
Kip Cullinan
SMART + STRONG. Meet Kip Cullinan, a biology-health professions and chemistry double major from Urbandale, Iowa, who is following God’s call to care for and love others through his future career in medicine. #RaidersStandOut
Nathan Tornow
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Nathan Tornow, a biblical and theological studies major from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who’s passionate about the power and joy found in a Christ-centered community. #RaidersStandOut
Grace Laman
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Grace Laman, a social work major from Norwalk, Iowa, who hopes to use her faith as a foundation in her future career. #RaidersStandOut
Annika Smith
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Annika (Stecker) Smith, a biology-genetics and education double major from Spirit Lake, Iowa, who aims to honor God with excellence in her future career. #RaidersStandOut
Joseph Kunert
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Joseph Kunert, a social studies teaching major from Humboldt, Iowa, who strives to continually pursue Christ and shine God’s light into the world. #RaidersStandOut
Kaylee Maasdam
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Kaylee Maasdam, an art and marketing major from Sully, Iowa, who values investing in communities and engaging in service through Spring Service Partnerships.
Noah Kullmann
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Noah Kullmann, an elementary education major from Hastings, Minnesota, who strives to follow God’s call by helping others and living with integrity.
Taylor VanderVelde
SMART + STRONG. Meet Taylor VanderVelde, a biology-health professions major from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, who seeks to glorify God both in the classroom and on the basketball court. #RaidersStandOut
Matt McCarty
Matt McCarty ’03, head coach of the NAIA national championship Raider football team, says the team strives to pursue excellence every day. He adds: “Being a Raider means being a part of something special and being a part of something that’s bigger than yourself.” #RaidersStandOut
Blake on Football
Blake Anderson from Oakland, Nebraska, is an all-conference tight end and captain for the Raider football team. He says he’s grateful for how the Raider football “family” strives for more than just winning. #RaidersStandOut
Caitlin Hornback
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Caitlin Hornback, a psychology and sociology double major from Winterset, Iowa, who aims to share God’s love and transforming grace both now and in her future career. #RaidersStandOut
Ethan
COMMUNITY + BELONGING. Meet Ethan Natelborg, a public relations major from Prairie City, Iowa, who seeks to build intentional community on Northwestern’s campus. #RaidersStandOut
Sophonise
COURAGEOUS + FAITHFUL. Meet Sophonise Nielson, a business administration major from Wentworth, South Dakota, who seeks to make an impact for Christ through her musical talents. #RaidersStandOut
Whitney
LEAD + SERVE. Meet Whitney Erickson, an elementary education major from Story City, Iowa, and president of the Student Government Association. #RaidersStandOut
Blake
SMART + STRONG. Meet Blake Anderson, a biology-health professions major from Oakland, Nebraska, and all-conference tight end for the Raider football team. #RaidersStandOut
