Jakob VanDerWerff
Admissions Counselor
jvanderwerff@whitworth.edu
509.777.4833
Counseling Areas: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington (Clark, Cowlitz, Island, Lewis, Pacific, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Wahkiakum, Whatcom counties), Wisconsin, Wyoming
Biography
Hometown: Orange City, Iowa
High School: MOC-Floyd Valley
University: Northwestern College (Iowa)
Major: Political Science
Favorite Quote: “There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: ‘Mine!’” – Abraham Kuyper
Favorite College Courses: American Government, Christians and the Political Order, Servant Leadership, The Art of Advocacy, Sustainable Development, Comparative Politics, Criminology, Justice as Skill and Commitment.
Favorite Spokane Activities: There are some wicked good trails for running in the area. I also enjoy walking downtown by the Falls and checking out books at the public library. I am pumped to participate in Hoopfest!
Favorite Spokane Restaurant: The Flying Goat – but there are many good Mexican restaurants or places to grab a slice of ‘za.
Favorite Thing About Whitworth: It truly is amazing to see how people care for each other here. Whitworth truly fosters a wonderful Christian community where people are welcomed and challenged to grow! Whitworth's commitment to thoughtful Christian dialogue on diverse topics makes it a fantastic institution. Not to mention that Whitworth may have the most beautiful college campus on the planet.
Advice for Whitworth Applicants: Visit in person! I am a strong believer that you get a true feel for a campus and you understand the student body better when you experience it for yourself. Not to mention that you meet cool people and might eat some late-night pizza, play pingpong or watch some college sports. I’d also recommend meeting with a professor. You can have a conversation with the person you will learn from in future classes.
Free-for-All: I am a casual Bigfoot believer. I love following politics, and I constantly stay up to date with the news. I am a huge sports fan, especially the NBA – my player comp is Markelle Fultz before he developed his jumper. My favorite food is crunchy peanut butter. I am 182 centimeters tall. I love hiking, and some of my favorite locations are Yellowstone, Banff, the Grand Tetons, Whidbey Island and the Black Hills. I love The Office. I constantly participate in mellow, competitive activities like pickleball, spikeball, frolf, basketball and Ultimate Frisbee. My favorite book is Life of Pi.