‘Make Your Life Count’ Category
Jace Riggin ’16: A Champion for Justice in His Home State
While growing up in Devils Lake, North Dakota, Gustavus Adolphus College junior Jace Riggin ’16 says he was an “outsider” for many reasons. Today, Riggin is using his life experiences and passion for justice to help others in his hometown who might consider themselves as “outsiders”.
Ian Keesey ’04: Making His Mark at Max Planck Institute
Imagine waking up every morning and going to work surrounded by some of the foremost scientists and researchers in the world. That is the situation Gustavus Adolphus College alumnus Ian Keesey ’04 finds himself in as a postdoctoral fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology (MPI-CE) in Jena, Germany.
Rhodes Scholar Finalist Now Fighting Human Trafficking
Finding one’s vocation is a process. Just ask Gustavus Adolphus College alumna Julia Tindell ’13. After four fruitful and rewarding years at Gustavus and completing the rigorous process associated with being a Rhodes Scholar finalist, Tindell has found her calling at a non-profit organization in St. Paul that serves women and girls involved in systems of abuse, exploitation, prostitution, and sex trafficking.
Annika Johanson ’12: Helping Children and Families Overcome Life’s Biggest Challenges
Annika Johanson '12 is a Child Life Specialist for both Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare. She is charged with helping children and their families overcome life's most challenging events.
Nick Hupton ’99: Impacting Today’s Youth as a Teacher, Coach, and Author
Nick Hupton '99 is a high school English teacher, a boys' tennis coach, and the author of three young adult novels. In all three of his professional pursuits, Hupton aims to help kids grow both academically and emotionally.
Emily Seelen ’13 Receives NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
After gaining valuable experience in the research labs at Gustavus, Emily Seelen '13 is now pursuing a PhD in oceanography at the University of Connecticut, and was recently awarded a prestigious graduate research fellowship from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Jon Gutierrez ’82: Head of the Class
Jon Gutierrez '82 is executive director of and the driving force behind Stillwater's St. Croix Preparatory Academy, one of the most successful charter schools in Minnesota. Gutierrez majored in accounting at Gustavus and came to education in a round-about way.
Kelsey Kennedy ’13 Receives Fulbright Grant to Brazil
Kelsey Kennedy, who earned her bachelor's degree in international management in 2013, recently received a Fulbright Grant to teach English in Brazil.
Carly Aplin ’07: Raising Awareness for Women’s Heart Health
Carly Aplin '07 spends most of her time as a broadcast journalist for various Twin Cities media outlets, but she also finds time to run a unique charity event that raises money and awareness for women's heart health.
Karin Dye ’16 Takes Her Passion for Music Abroad
Sophomore Karin Dye’s passion for music led her to pursue an independent study opportunity this past January in the Dominican Republic, which turned out to be more rewarding than she could have imagined.