Whitworth University Theology Department

Alumni Achievements

Kristin Nilsson, '10

Majors: Theology and Peace Studies

Current Position: Youth group home assistant working in southeastern Montana at a group home for youth from the Northern Cheyenne and Crow tribes. This is an alternative to the foster-care system for children from the reservations.

Why Whitworth: "Like many looking for the ‘right' college, I was overwhelmed by the number of possibilities. Being a slow decision-maker, I helped myself out by narrowing the choices to the West Coast. Whitworth was one of only a few private schools, and the only Christian school, I applied to. After visiting, I felt at home on campus and really loved the blend of cultures that is Spokane and the Pacific Northwest. I could picture myself learning and growing there."

Whitworth Activities: Participated in En Christo; Communities in Crisis/Common Table club; was an RA in Baldwin-Jenkins Hall and a small-group leader on campus; worked as a HUB information desk manager; interned at Cup of Cool Water; and volunteered with Global Neighborhoods refugee outreach and Homework Helpers tutoring program.

Quote: "Whitworth taught me to listen well and to strive to be in solidarity with those around me. I had great examples of servant-leadership and how to love well. Professors, classmates and friends constantly asked questions that made me think deeply about faith, justice and peace."

Influential Whitworth Experiences: "Paired with opportunities to get off campus to serve, I learned a lot on the Christian Spirituality Jan Term study program at Tall Timber Ranch, in Leavenworth, Wash. The time away made me value simplicity, a balance of work and play, prayer and community."

Career Goals: "I want to be continually challenged to grow in faith, community and solidarity. Right now I think this will place me in the social-services field and I am hoping to go to graduate school to pursue a master's degree in theology or social work. But, I'm pretty happy with the unknowns right now."

Here's what some other recent Whitworth graduates are doing with their theology degrees:

Glen Alberto Guenther, '09, is completing a two-year internship in Ecuador with World Vision and has been appointed an international election monitor for the presidential election in El Salvador. He plans to pursue a master's degree in public policy.

Evan Cate, '08, received a full-tuition scholarship to pursue a master's in divinity degree at the Duke School of Divinity.

Tyler Thralls, '10, is teaching high school in rural Africa for Village Schools International.

Ozzie Crocco, '08, is currently pursuing a master's degree in human development and psychology at Harvard.

Brent Hendricks, '07, is founder of Global Neighborhood, a ministry to refugees in the Spokane area.

Paige Hill, '11, is enrolled in a master's in counseling program at Wheaton College.

Nathan Mesaros, '05, is a project coordinator with World Vision, traveling to international locations to match funds with needs.

Justin Adare, '10, is serving as an intelligence officer in the Marines.

Margaret Mitsuyasu, '08, is pursuing an M.Div. at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Eric Brewer, '09, is teaching English in Japan.