Where did you grow up, and what first got you interested in studying theology?
I moved around a bit growing up but spent most of my formative years in Evansville, Indiana, and in southern Minnesota—Minnesota Lake and Mapleton. My father was a UCC pastor, so I had a little bit of a push to be interested in theology from the get go but gathered a lot more interest as I got into university.

What did you study as an undergraduate?
I was initially a philosophy major at Augsburg University, later picking up a religious studies double major. You can blame the guidance of Hans Wiersma ’05 Ph.D. ’91 M.Div. for this change!

What led you to pursue theological education here at Luther Seminary?
After graduating from Augsburg, I tried a variety of careers and jobs to gain more life experience, feeling that I should explore the world a bit and expose myself to a variety of lifestyles, cultures, and experiences. I grew restless as the years went by and knew I wanted to get back into academia. Having had a history with Augsburg, I looked at graduate programs at a few institutions, then saw the faculty at Luther Seminary and reconnected with Mark Tranvik. This led to me visiting the seminary and finding a home to study in a faith-based community. I couldn’t resist the vocational call.

What degree program are you in at Luther Seminary, and what are you hoping to do with your seminary education?
I am a History of Christianity M.A. program student and am hoping to springboard from my education here toward a Ph.D. program in History or Philosophy of Religion. My end goal is to become a professor in those fields of study and continue an academic tradition based in my faith.

What is the best part of living on campus at Luther Seminary?
The best thing about living on campus is the community. Everyone here is a beloved neighbor, looks out for each other, and embraces the call of Christ. The unique perspectives, theologies, and experiences everyone brings to campus enriches our diverse community in the best ways, and I love being part of it.

What is one thing people don’t know about you?
One thing people may not know about me is that I absolutely love the horror genre in all forms of media. I love watching horror movies, playing horror video games, reading horror books, and engaging with analogue horror. The feeling of being scared or terrified really pulls out a different way to engage with things.