Northwestern College has seen many changes over the years. Buildings have been added and removed, chapel has been reduced, and warm cookie Wednesday has come and gone and come again. One change that may go unnoticed by many students is the change in staff members around campus.
It may be obvious when a staff member is added or removed from campus, but when they simply change jobs it may not be quite as clear. Many staff and faculty members have served in multiple positions during their time here.
Current Stegenga Hall Resident Director Hannah McBride started her career at NW as an admissions counselor. She held that position for two years and enjoyed meeting new people and making others feel comfortable in what would often be awkward conversations.
“Much of what I learned in Admissions cemented things I really care about,” McBride said. “Giving people confidence in times of transition, developing deep and authentic relationships, having conversations about the reality of life and not just the easy or fun experiences, learning about the world and people.”
McBride sees her current RD position as a gift. Though it has plenty of challenges and can be difficult, she has enjoyed spending the past four years working with women in Stegenga Hall.
Another RD who has spent time working other jobs around campus is Marlon Haverdink, who has been working at NW for 18 years.
During his time here Haverdink has been an admissions counselor, RD of Colenbrander, director of service learning, director of leadership, and is now the Director of Residence Life. Haverdink has enjoyed each position he has held at NW, and each of them have impacted him in a different way.
His favorite part of working at NW is being able to develop relationships with students. As Director of Residence Life, Haverdink doesn’t get as much student interaction. Now the student interaction he does get is mostly through discipline and enforcing campus polies.
“We use a redemptive approach when dealing with these issues,” Haverdink said.
He wants to help lead students in the right direction and give them second chances. Though Haverdink enjoys his current position at NW, he finds his job as RD of Coly to have been the most fulfilling.
“My first day on the job I thought, ‘I think I was born to do this,”’ Haverdink said.
Before Haverdink was the Director of Residence Life, Patrick Hummel held the position for three years. When a position in Campus Ministries opened up, Haverdink, a close friend of Hummel, was actually the one who suggested he apply.
“I’m interested in missions, and I enjoy travel and adventure,” Hummel said. “I studied abroad in college and I believe in the work we are doing through campus ministries.”
Over the year some of Hummel’s duties are to plan and prepare students for Summer of Service and Spring Service Projects.
“I work with great students, SSP leaders and SOS teams. They all want to make a difference and be a part of the reconciliation process for the world.”
Dale Thompson, the first male to ever live in Fern, has been working at NW for over 31 years. He has been a track and cross country coach, worked in the RSC, and is now working in the maintenance department.
Thompson enjoys getting to know students of all different kinds from not only NW, but also the Orange City community. Thompson noted the most difficult part of his job is working while everyone else plays.
“You have to get use to the idea of being busy when most people are going home for the day,” Thompson said.
Thompson has done many odd jobs since working in the maintenance department. He enjoys his co-workers and learning new things every day.
NW is truly blessed to have so many great leaders around campus.
