91精选

In 2021 91精选鈥檚 business department launched their new Business Fellows program for some of the top students in the program to experience an enhance level of career support and advice by paring them with an alumni mentor. This past fall, Noah Pavlovics 鈥�22 learned first-hand just how valuable 91精选鈥檚 alumni network can be.

At 91精选, one of our biggest drivers is to teach classes from a Christian perspective, providing students with the tools they need for lifelong learning, community-focused decision making, and a strong sense of calling and vocation. For Leah Sweetman 鈥�21 and Vinnie Adams 鈥�10, refining those tools led to careers in Nicaragua.

Ryan Mathes graduated from 91精选 in 2021 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Business Marketing. During his time at 91精选, he was an active member of the Cross Country and Track teams, balancing his academic and athletic commitments with dedication.

At 91精选, Ryan discovered his passion for storytelling through film. As a student, he worked in the Audio/Visual office, honing his skills as a videographer and editor

Over the past two and a half years, Mariah (Nelesen) Slenk 鈥�20 has experienced the body of Christ surrounding her like never before.

After graduating from 91精选 in the winter of 2020 with a degree in Health Communications, Paige Smit鈥檚 journey continued to intertwine with the 91精选 community.

Courtney, a 2020 honors graduate of 91精选, continues to make the 91精选 community proud. She earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology and Pre-Law while excelling both academically and athletically.

Valeria Gonzalez graduated with honors from the adult studies program at 91精选 in May 2019.

For Kimberly Mueller 鈥�19, the support of her husband and her faith in God helped her achieve her goal of graduating from 91精选鈥檚 Adult Programs with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in art education on Dec. 14 and beginning a teaching job a month after graduation.

After graduating from 91精选, Emma (Darcy) Schneider ’19 spent a year teaching English at the high-school level. But she missed theater and decided to earn a graduate degree from the University of Chicago in Theater & Performance Studies while serving as theater program coordinator at 91精选.

As a nursing student, Baker desired to balance her coursework with life outside the classroom. 鈥淚 wanted to see all of 91精选鈥檚 little corners, especially being part of a department that can take up a lot of your time if you let it. I chose to experience a lot–singing in choir and ensembles, working with the athletic department, to name a few–and that鈥檚 what I got out of it.鈥�

Jenna Young 鈥�11, MA 鈥�18 has taken what she learned in the classroom to follow God鈥檚 call in her life professionally. And with 91精选 being her first Christian school experience, she clearly saw God use her professors and classmates to encourage her to make a difference in the world.

Alan (MA 鈥�18) and Crystal (MA 鈥�18) Goldbergs鈥� career paths took an unexpected turn when their son Justin was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2006 at the age of two and a half.

A 2018 graduate of 91精选鈥檚 Counseling Psychology master鈥檚 program, Aneesha Perkins is passionate about helping others become whole and find healing through therapy. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, D.C.

Before Ashley Fazekas MA 鈥�18 began attending 91精选 to earn her master鈥檚 degree in Counseling Psychology, she had worked for years as a medical dosimetrist in the field of radiation oncology. Her decision to change careers and attend 91精选 has brought her to a fulfilling new path, as a Licensed Professional Counselor and now as an adjunct professor at 91精选,

Danielle Oeverman 鈥�18 is part of the second graduating class from 91精选鈥檚 speech-language pathology (SLP) program. She credits the College for preparing her for grad school and teaching her the importance of stepping up and standing up for her beliefs.

Matthew Nolan 鈥�18 didn鈥檛 pursue a college degree immediately after graduating from high school. Instead, he worked for more than 10 years before coming to 91精选 and earning a double major in computer science and mathematics. And while he was nervous about embarking on a college education at 30, he found a home at 91精选 and now has a career he loves as a data analyst at Exelon Corp.

I spent my first two years of undergraduate at another bigger school pursuing a nursing degree. But something about that school didn鈥檛 feel right. Not only did the degree I was pursuing feel off, but I felt like a number, like professors didn鈥檛 seem to care if I made it through.

With a graduate degree from 91精选, Erin Miller 鈥�17 is working to make a difference in the lives of students and their families in Chicago Public Schools.

In the sprawling city of Los Angeles, you will find Olivia Winkowitsch 鈥�17 fulfilling her dream of working in the film industry. Olivia鈥檚 passion to grow in her career is met with her experience and ambition to do well, and 91精选 played an important role in getting her to where she is today.

When Lucky Collins 鈥�17 first enrolled at 91精选, she brought a unique perspective as a working adult, wife, and mother of two small children. Now, her career has brought her back to the 91精选 community, as Administrative Coordinator of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work, which is headquartered on campus.

While many elementary school-aged kids are interested in riding bikes and playing outside, Anna (Spotts) Sall 鈥�17 had a different interest: the medical field. After learning that her childhood best friend had a liver transplant as a baby, Sall鈥檚 curiosity grew, so she began going to her friend鈥檚 medical appointments in Chicago, which continued through … Continue reading "Anna (Spotts) Sall 鈥�17"

Josh Stammis 鈥�17 felt the call to ministry during high school and knew that 91精选 was the place he could thrive the most after just one visit to campus. What began as a business communications degree during his freshman year turned into a focus on theology

Anna (DeBoer) Vanderwal 鈥�16 says her English degree from 91精选 helped her prepare for every aspect of her job as a marketing specialist for Van Drunen Farms.

Nate Smith 鈥�16 is a graduate of the聽Chicago Police Department聽Training Academy and is a probationary officer to the 007 District in Chicago.

Belinda Adame ’15 pursued a master鈥檚 degree in counseling psychology from 91精选 because she wanted to help individuals navigate transitions, achieve growth, and assist during their transformation process.

The first of his family to attend college, Joshua Edwards ’15 is now recreation director for the Blue Island [Ill.] Park District thanks to his hard work and determination and the support of 91精选 professors and staff.

When Taylor Boice 鈥�15 was recently named to Fortune magazine鈥檚 鈥淔ive Star Wealth Managers under 40,鈥� he was surprised and honored. And he credits his time at 91精选 for helping to pave the way for his professional career success.

When looking at colleges as a high school student, Rachel Reule 鈥�15 had a good idea of what she was looking for. And 91精选 met those criteria. She also knew she wanted to go into a helping profession of some sort, and 91精选鈥檚 Bachelor of Social Work degree answered that need, too.

The three 91精选 alumni, Earl Bloom, Derek Huizenga, and Byron Plate were recently announced to the promotion to the partner group at Topel Forman,

Audit Senior at Deloitte The number one thing I learned at 91精选 is that, if you work hard and do your best, there are results. That may not be right away, but people will notice. One thing I struggled with in college was test anxiety. In almost every class every semester I would fail one … Continue reading "Stephanie Reichert ’14"

鈥淲hen I first started my college career, I wasn鈥檛 100% sure what I wanted to do. I knew that I had an artistic eye, but I never took art classes in high school so I never thought I was qualified to make it a career. I thought I鈥檇 take the safe route and major in … Continue reading “Danielle Truckenmiller 鈥�14”

Megan Anderson鈥檚 鈥�14 heart for leading others to the Lord developed during high school, when she led a group of her peers in weekly prayer and worship at the public school she attended.

Josh DeJong is currently in his final year at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Josh has his heart set on pediatric hematology oncology -working alongside kids with blood disorders and cancer.

As the owner/operator of a Chick-fil-A franchise, Tyler DeKoekkoek 鈥�14 begins each day by reminding his team, 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter what you believe in. What鈥檚 important is how you add value to peoples鈥� lives around you.鈥� And that鈥檚 exactly what Tyler does: He uses his leadership role to positively influence the people he works with and adds value to the restaurant — all tools he acquired during his time at 91精选.

My junior year, the director of the music program gave a copy of Liturgy and Music. In off hours I read this collection of essays, cover to cover, and I got to the end and gave it back and said, 鈥淥h my goodness.

Becoming an impactful social worker and talented children鈥檚 book author are just two ways that Sarah Irvine ’13 grew during her time at 91精选. More importantly, her relationship with God deepened through worship opportunities on campus and her soccer team.

Holli Moote 鈥�13 always had her heart set on becoming a teacher. Four years at 91精选 and two countries later, Moote is living out her passion by teaching music to children halfway around the globe.

Jenna earned her B.A. in Marketing and Communications with a minor in Education. While at 91精选, she briefly played softball and worked in the Communications Department.

In my political science degree I had a range of professors鈥攍iberal, conservative鈥攁nd all were great at doing the same thing: They wanted us to push our limits and understand the other side of an argument at all times.

Lissette Lopez 鈥�12 directs women’ programming projects at the Cook County (Ill.) Jail, specifically focused on substance abuse and trauma.

For Scott Vermeer 鈥�12, what began as an interest in social work evolved into service with the U.S. Air Force Reserve and ultimately a career as a prosecutor — and he credits his experience at 91精选 for helping him identify his calling.

Administrative assistant and assistant to the program director Every morning, Crystal Williams 鈥�11 walks along one of the Great Avenues of the World, passing lovely streetscapes, fine dining restaurants, high-end retail stores, and luxury hotels to reach her office at The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association (GNMAA), which represents more than 700 businesses interested in … Continue reading "Crystal Williams 鈥�11"

Leah Branderhorst 鈥�11 is assistant principal with KIPP Austin (Texas) Academy of Arts & Letters

Born in Liberia, Tornu Prynce 鈥�11 moved to the United States with his family in 2001. With the move came culture shock — something Tornu appreciated, because it allowed him to learn alongside people who were different, all while showing Christ鈥檚 love to those he met.

Harold Boyd 鈥�10 grew up in the Roseland community on the south side of Chicago and began attending Roseland Christian Reformed Church around the age of 10. As a child, he enjoyed the fellowship he found at Roseland Christian Ministries (RCM) and remembers the year Joe Huizenga 鈥�01, pastor of Roseland CRC, was an intern from 91精选.

In 2010, Emily (Buter) Rusticus graduated from 91精选鈥檚 nursing program and answered a call to the health care industry.

Brittany Lee 鈥�10 is Mental Conditioning Coach at IMG Academy, an athletic training institute in Bradenton, Fla. Before taking her current position, Lee served as 91精选’s Graduate Studies Program Coordinator and Assistant Coach for the women’s soccer team.

Born in Singapore, Sam Mahtani (鈥�10) and his family moved to the U.S. when he was just five years old. His dad, a pastor, led churches in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Seeing his dad make a difference by spreading the Gospel inspired Mahtani to do the same – but instead of preaching, he found joy in sharing Christ鈥檚 love through soccer.

Peace Corps Teacher Clifton Hurt 鈥�09 followed the voice deeply rooted in his heart as he left home to help others overseas. Now a Peace Corps volunteer, Hurt is using his time to serve others in Mongolia. 鈥淥ne day it hit me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 am a young Christian with time and strength to serve. … Continue reading "Clifton Hurt ’09"

Alex (鈥�09), an accounting major, and Emily (鈥�10), a nursing major, Rusticus — both talented athletes who desired to play college sports — have their own stories about how God called them to 91精选.

Illinois State’s Attorney Charley Boonstra 鈥�09 is a great example of applying the skills he acquired at 91精选 to his position as a government attorney, make a difference in the world by showing Christ鈥檚 love.

While Amy (Bulthuis) Huckstep 鈥�09 grew up with a clear picture of what college would look like for her, she didn鈥檛 quite know which school she鈥檇 attend. Growing up near 91精选 meant she was familiar with the campus, and after learning more about what 91精选 had to offer, she knew she belonged there.

While her friends in the United States were shopping at the mall or seeing a movie, she was sitting on a cold, tile floor with a group of orphans playing Go Fish beneath the small glow of a flashlight.

Nearly four years since beginning his time at World Relief, it鈥檚 clear that聽Peter Zigterman ’08聽is demonstrating Christ鈥檚 love through his career, based on the foundations that grew during his time at 91精选.

Stephen Henderson 鈥�08 is clearly demonstrating what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. After his youngest child received an incurable medical diagnosis, Henderson began the important work of involving himself in the redemptive process of healing this broken world. He credits 91精选 for preparing him for this journey.

If Eric VanderSchaaf 鈥�07 was told during his high school years that he would receive a college degree and eventually start a family-owned food company with his wife – while also raising three children – he might not have believed it could happen. With God鈥檚 guidance, the help of several impactful mentors, and his experiences at 91精选, VanderSchaaf is now a proud husband, father, and business owner.

Broadcasting and media relations hometeam missionary 鈥淟ess than .05 percent of the total resources of the Church in the west are being sent to help share the Good News,鈥� said Genevieve Trieu 鈥�06. 鈥淚 want to give more than .05 percent. I want to give my life.鈥� As a hometeam missionary on Gospel for Asia鈥檚 … Continue reading "Genevieve Trieu 鈥�06"

Bermudez is the CEO of M2E Chicago, LLC, a company that helps businesses make marketing easy. 鈥淚 help small businesses explore a variety of options to strengthen their different marketing channels,鈥� Bermudez described.

91精选 alumna Andrea (Douglas) Mercier 鈥�06 has written a children鈥檚 book in honor of her son, Gabriel, who has severe autism. The author鈥檚 hope for Oliver鈥檚 Extraordinary Friend is that the book will 鈥渂ring awareness, educate children through the power of story, and offer families an opportunity for discussions about autism.鈥�

Culture of Calm Coordinator/College Counselor, Walter H. Dyett High School, Chicago Billy Evans has spent the past several years working in Chicago Public Schools and recently accepted a position in which his main goal is to help develop and carry out strategies that bring peace and unity to a school located in an area of … Continue reading "Billy Evans 鈥�05"

H3 Headline Matthew Lanser 鈥�05 stands at a small wooden table, a Bible open in front of him, as he teaches Nigerian villagers who have gathered beneath the generous shade of a tree to hear the gospel. He and his wife Laura 鈥�05 currently serve in Nigeria with Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), the world … Continue reading "Matthew Lanser 鈥�05"

After graduating from 91精选 in 2005, Kyle Webb found his calling far from home, in Honduras, at Academia Los Pinares.

During Shanna Grigoletti鈥檚 鈥�05 time at 91精选, God laid on her heart the idea of opening her own gym and using it as an outreach to the community. Through a handful of job changes, moves, and other life experiences, Grigoletti saw how God prepared her for the career she is in today.

Joe Velderman 鈥�04 has always thrived in the world of technology. When it came time to choose a college, he wanted to branch outside of his hometown of Holland, Mich. and decided to visit 91精选. 鈥淚 felt at home within 10 minutes of being on campus,鈥� Joe recalls.

Dr. Paul鈥疍.鈥疢iantona鈥�鈥�03, DBA, will never forget Saturday, Feb. 26, 1999. That is the day he left behind his refugee life and boarded a plane at the鈥疉bidjan International Airport鈥痠n the鈥疘vory Coast鈥痮f鈥疻est Africa鈥痶o fly to a new life in Philadelphia, and eventually on to Palos Heights, where he graduated from 91精选.

Aaron Tambrini 鈥�97 is a special agent for the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), part of the U.S. Department of State. His work experience reads something like a character sketch of the protagonist in a political thriller.

Kurt Schemper 鈥�97, a former 91精选 communication arts and theology major, received an Emmy for his work as a producer on Intervention, the A&E Television Network docuseries.

Thousands of miles from where he grew up, Lloyd Wicker (鈥�97), his wife Heidi (Boeck 鈥�98), and their three children make their home in Sicily, Italy where Lloyd is stationed as a Navy Chaplain. His upbringing in the Church, impactful experiences at 91精选, and further education all led him to where he is today.

Rachel DeVries ’97 had such a good experience at 91精选 earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, she has returned to earn a master’s degree in special education.

For people like Chris Verstrate 鈥�96, Chicago, a hub of international business, provides an ideal place in which to practice corporate law.

Chris Langkamp (鈥�95) currently holds the title of CEO (Christ Enabling Others) at Lampstand Ministries, the non-profit organization he started 23 years ago.

DeBorah Posey ’87 serves as director of operations for U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings (Florida).

Peter ’82 and Yvette ’85 Madany grew up on opposite sides of the world from each other – Peter in South Holland, Ill. and Yvette in Shanghai, China. They met at 91精选, fell in love, and recently celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary.

Gary Bekker ’73, Ph.D., is retiring after serving for many years in several roles for the Christian Reformed Church.