Sending a child to college can be difficult, but for Mark and Sara Nelson, having their son, Noah, attend their alma mater made the transition a smooth one.
“It is like I am rewalking my parents’ footsteps sometimes,” said Noah, a senior psychology major. “There have been times where I have the same professor as my parents or someone will come up to me on campus and ask if I am related to Mark and Sara Nelson.”
Mark, a 1998 graduate, works as an executive professional recruiter with Actalent. He met his wife, Sara (Moran) ’98 through mutual friends on campus, and they have been married for 25 years. “My experience at MCC was awesome. I had the best four years of my life,” Mark said.
Mark was involved with Alpha Sigma TAU social club and Company, a traveling theater group. “We went all over the country, from Wisconsin to Maine to every church camp in between. It was one of the best trips of my life, and I wanted Noah to have a similar experience during his time in college,” Mark said.
Noah said, “My dad was very extraverted, loved TAU and turned their dorm room into a hangout spot with games, snacks and beverages for people, sometimes up with friends until 2 a.m.”
Mark said, “It makes me feel comfortable knowing that Noah is involved in a Christian education and can have deep relationships with classmates and professors.”
Some of the many people who have impacted Noah and his time at RCU were also there for Mark and Sara, such as Cathy Ries, development coordinator; Gary Turner, assistant professor of mathematics; and Larry Stewart ’70.
When he first visited campus, Noah said he appreciated the Christian atmosphere and fell in love with the natural landscape of Lake Norcentra Park and the Clinton River Trail.
A 2022 graduate of Cousino High School in Warren, Michigan, Noah came to RCU to study psychology and finds connection between his studies and his faith. “A lot of people have broken hearts, and people often try to find solutions in the world. Combining what I’ve learned as a Christian and learning psychology helps tremendously in my personal endeavor that the real solution for all brokenness is Christ. I see a need for people who want to have Christ in their lives, and I take that as an opportunity to spread God’s word.”
Noah credits the faculty of the psychology department for teaching him and helping him land an internship at Applied Behavioral Analysis, where he worked with children with autism who had verbal and physical needs.
He has been involved with the student body, attending various student life events and making new friends. He is also the secretary of the National Alliance on Mental Illness club, which raises awareness through events and community education.
He said he is inspired by the Christian emphasis on campus. “The Bible classes helped me expand my knowledge of the Bible in many ways. Chapel is a great way that helps me focus on spending time with God, and to take a break from the stresses of being a student.”
Just as a college trip was a highlight for his dad, Noah said going on the Natural Science Field Study trip to the western U.S. was the best part of his college experience to date. “I hate science with a passion, and I love traveling with a passion, so replacing a four-credit class to go outside with Dr. [David] Brackney was a no-brainer.”
Noah said he would be proud to continue the legacy at RCU with his children one day, joking, “Hopefully, Gary Turner won’t be there by then.”
If you are an alumnus and parent of a student considering college soon, RCU offers a 50% discount to children of alumni.
article written by Emily Carroll
