On the edge of campus in the Welcome Center lies a team of exceptional individuals, showcasing Northwestern College through written media, videography and photography. Currently, the NW Marketing and Communications team (MarCom) has nine individuals: Duane Beeson, Juliana Bloemendal, Anita Cirulis, Allison Delperdang, Theo Jongerius, Wanda Korthals, Emelie Laackman, Lem Maurer and Meagan Wallinga.
For a few members of NW MarCom, tasks change daily – something they love about their job.
Anita Cirulis, associate director of marketing and communications, enjoys how every day brings new tasks. “I might be project managing a Northwestern publication – setting up a production timeline, writing the copy, working with an on-campus client, hiring a freelance designer and getting bids from our printers,” Cirulis said. “Or I could be directing a photo shoot with our office’s multimedia producer. Or I might be writing a news release, copy for our website, or feature story for NW’s alumni magazine, ‘The Classic.’”
Emelie Laackmann, marketing content specialist, divides certain tasks to do in the morning and other tasks to accomplish in the afternoon. Checking and responding to her emails is the first thing she accomplishes. Then, she creates a list of tasks. “My mind is freshest in the morning, so I reserve writing projects for before lunch (editing student/alumni/faculty profiles, writing articles for “The Classic” alumni magazine, writing marketing content for academic majors, writing/editing the Spring Service Partnernships and Summer Of Service report, to name a few),” Laackmann said. “Project management tasks (such as creating a marketing plan for band/choir tour publicity), reviewing design proofs and providing feedback to the graphic designer, and scheduling photoshoots keep me busy in the afternoons.”
NW MarCom represents and supports NW by telling stories to the public, according to Cirulis. “Our primary goals are to help the admissions staff recruit students and the advancement staff to raise money for NWC,” she said.
NW MarCom is aware of the influence they have on potential students. “When you read something that the marketing office has produced, rest assured that we think carefully about how we represent Northwestern and how our marketing efforts have the potential to influence future Raiders,” Laackmann said. “We don’t say something if we don’t believe it or haven’t experienced it ourselves. In fact, five members of our team are Raider alumni and two have sent more than one child to Northwestern. We really do LOVE it here—we don’t just say it because it’s our job.”
The MarCom team is diverse in terms of alums and members who earned their degrees at other instituations. Laackmann is an alumna of NW, while Cirulis graduated from University of Sioux Falls.
Cirulis heard about a NW MarCom position, which was then just small public relations team, in 2003 through friends who attended NW. “In the two decades I’ve been here, our staff has grown to nine people,” Cirulis said.
After Laackmann graduated, she and her husband lived in Sioux Center, but found themselves traveling back to Orange City for church, recreational activities and friends. “Orange City and Northwestern have felt like home from the day I first came here as a college freshman,” Laackmann said. “When a job opened up in the MarCom office, it felt meant to be. I applied for the position and a few weeks later was offered the job! I’ve been working here since Aug. 2021.”
Cirulis and Laackmann are grateful for their MarCom team members. “I really enjoy my MarCom colleagues, both their personalities and their unique talents and abilities,” Cirulis said. “I love seeing the results of our labor. We do good work! It’s so satisfying to see the attractive, creative final products, whether it’s our alumni magazine, admissions publications, videos or website.”
Laackmann agrees. “The MarCom team is really a special group to work with because each member brings a unique set of skills, passions, and perspectives,” she said. “At the same time, we all believe in the same God and value one another and our families. Since beginning work here, I’ve had a baby and worked through several health challenges, but through it all, the MarCom team has been nothing but supportive.”
