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 Dennis Waller, our faculty profile for Winter 2025.
NAME: Dennis R. Waller
PROFESSION: Educator/Professor
HOMETOWN: Missoula, Montana originally, but moved to Nampa in 1973 with parents as a teen
Fun Fact About You: I enjoy collecting several things which have expanded into minor collections in which I consistently watch thrift and antique stores for. My favorite fun collection is my Pepsi Collector Series (1973) Warner Bros. My very first glass came in 1973 (Henry Hawk character) as a gift from my mother. Most recently, I found my latest addition (Cool Cat) for a reasonable price of less than $10 dollars!
Favorite Joel (& Nikki) Memory So Far: After moving to Nampa, my parents and I began attending Nampa College Church of the Nazarene where I joined the youth group as a fairly quiet ex-farm kid from Montana. Jim and Nancy Clayton led and loved us. I, fortunately, found my own abilities in high school debate and grew less quiet in school and church. One year, our youth group traveled with a musical to several churches in our church zone. Fortunately, both Joel and Nikki were also members, and I had the good fortune of watching them in early dating, but more importantly, as truly Christian examples for all of us. The same kindness and Christian love of people they have now throughout the NNU community was exhibited for all to witness even then. I still feel blessed to have seen and experienced their natural friendship and community-building to everyone in our youth group.
Proudest Accomplishment From Your Time at NNU: I have been most fortunate to have had many experiences that I would call accomplishments. However, I have to say that my proudest accomplishment is watching my former students in Communication and/or Forensics do well in their jobs and communities as they become successful business owners or associates, lawyers, teachers, church members and parents. Staying in contact with some of my long-ago students is a great joy!
NNU students frequently express that we do college different. How do you believe NNU does college different? I truly believe that NNU is a place of love and that each of us is called to be here whether that time is short or long in duration. As Christians we are told to “love our neighbors,” yet I would suggest that employees at NNU take that to mean that we are called to love our students daily. Some days that love may be grace-love and other days it might be tough-love. Ultimately, the difference that NNU provides is one of love for all.
