Name: Clay Nielsen ’26
Hometown: Northfield, Minnesota
Major: Biochemistry
Involvement on campus: Men’s basketball team, Honors Community, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, undergraduate research, Orientation leader
Research/Internship/Study Abroad experiences: Undergraduate biochemistry research with Dr. Shawn Ellerbroek on YpkA and its Novel Binding to Rho Proteins RhoB and RhoC
Plans after graduation: Taking a gap year working as a urology technician, then attending medical school!
Why did you choose Wartburg?
I chose Wartburg because of the excellent athletic programs and the very reputable biology and chemistry departments. I wanted to be well-prepared to pursue further education in medical school, and I got exactly what I wanted. Wartburg was also the perfect distance from home, not so far that I couldn’t go back home on a weekend, but far enough to where I was encouraged to stay and make new connections. The final and most important reason was the people I met on my visit. They seemed to genuinely care about me, and I still say hi to those people in passing to this day, even if I didn’t get to know them more throughout my time here!
What sparked your interest in your field of study, and how has your perspective on it changed since your first year?
The initial reason I had for going into medicine was my primary care physician. He just seemed like such a great person and took the time to hear me instead of just rattling off a diagnosis. My perspective has definitely changed, as I now know that there are many different kinds of doctors, and that I have a very long road ahead of me. I’m just excited for the journey!
Can you describe a specific moment (in a classroom, a club, or just somewhere on campus) when you knew you made the right decision in choosing Wartburg?
The moment I knew I made the right decision going to Wartburg was when I joined Orientation staff during my junior year. Meeting people outside of my major and sport was something I wish I had done earlier at Wartburg, but some of those people were people that I didn’t know my life was missing, and now I don’t think I could live without them. It was one of many experiences where I felt like I was surrounded by family.
Which co-curricular activity defined your college experience?
Being on the men’s basketball team defined my college experience. Every year I bonded with the older guys and the new recruits in ways that I couldn’t have imagined, and some of my absolute best friendships were made playing basketball with the boys. We ran together, we lifted weights together, we bled together, we won together, and we cried together.
What is the one thing you never imagined you would/could do before coming to Wartburg?
One thing I never imagined I could do before Wartburg was get into medical/graduate school. I thought you had to be a genius, and I knew I wasn’t one of those. Wartburg taught me, however, that being prepared and receiving guidance beats genius nine times out of ten, and now I confidently believe that I will be accepted to medical school after my gap year.
What advice do you have for prospective or first-year students?
Find your people, not your place. Places don’t always change as fast as we would like them too, but people usually change at just the right pace to where you can grow alongside them.
Anything else about your Wartburg experience you would like to share?
Saturday breakfast in the Mensa is the most slept on meal throughout the week. Make sure you get there from 9-10 a.m.!
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