Each issue of the Messenger, we provide a profile for one NNU faculty member, one staff member, one undergraduate student and one graduate student. Meet Ben Wikoff, our undergraduate student profile for Summer 2024.
MAJOR: Engineering
FUTURE PLANS: I plan to pursue a job as an engineer in the aerospace or medical field. I hope my job will keep me living in the northwest so I can continue to spend a lot of time outside.
GRAD YEAR: 2025
HOMETOWN: Sandpoint, Idaho
Favorite NNU Memory: One of my favorite memories at NNU was participating in the humorous men’s pageant event, Mr. NNU. Being able to laugh along with the student body and a lot of my friends was such a great experience.
Favorite Thing About NNU: My favorite thing about NNU is the dedication to thriving student life. There is almost always some kind of event for students going on here. Whether that’s a worship service, dorm event, sports game or school-wide event from SGA, there is something going on and a place to feel welcome.
Something Valuable You Learned at NNU: Something valuable I have learned at NNU is that balancing hard work with good friendship is really important. Spending eight hours studying is hard work and being able to relax at the end of the day with people that care about you really makes it all worth it.
NNU students frequently express that we do college different. How do you believe NNU does college different? NNU does college different by investing not only in students’ educational success, but also their social and spiritual growth. By encouraging community and spiritual thriving, NNU is also urging students to love each other. This loving environment, which is no doubt a result and representation of God’s love, creates an atmosphere at NNU that is just different.
How do you see/experience NNU’s motto of “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God” lived out on campus? One of the ways I see this motto lived out is through our Monday chapel services. On Mondays we get to hear the chaplain team interview staff and faculty members at NNU. Whether they teach psychology, finance or are school administration, we hear about how they are pursuing God. It is easy to see God in the songs that we sing in services throughout the week and in times of prayer that are built in, but seeing how God is active in the classroom on top of that shows that we are seeking first and foremost the Kingdom of God.
