I came to Wartburg to be challenged

NAME: Nelson Cook       
CLASS YEAR: 2022
HOMETOWN: Fort Dodge
MAJOR: Biochemistry (pre-dental)

INVOLVEMENT ON CAMPUS:Phi Eta Sigma, Scholar’s Program, Tri Beta, undergraduate research, Symphonic Band

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE WARTBURG: I chose Wartburg for two main reasons. The first one was that Wartburg has a great history with providing students with a successful science education that prepares them for postgraduate opportunities, which is what I’m looking at, going to dental school after Wartburg. The second reason is that Wartburg is invested in their students. They want to see us be successful and they care about the type of education we receive. That’s the benefit of going to a smaller school like Wartburg, which I love.

WHAT DREW YOU TO BIOCHEMISTRY: The challenge it had for me. I love learning and I want to be challenged. I want to be pushed and so combining both biology and chemistry seemed like the right fit for me. It seemed like it would give me the right amount of push towards expanding my education.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WARTBURG MEMORY: Participating on the Orange Connection trip in Des Moines my freshman year. On that trip I got to engage with about 30 other students on campus over the course of a weekend. I also got to job shadow Wartburg alumni, which was an amazing experience. I was able to hear their success stories, while they were helping me make my dreams come true.

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR CURRENT STUDENTS: Be you but also try new things to become a better you. Being yourself is probably the best part of life, and here at Wartburg, you’re able to be who you want to be. The people here want to see you be successful. Try different things to figure out who you are and what you want to do and what you want to be in this world.

WHY IS WARTBURG WORTH IT: The people I’ve met here at Wartburg are what have made it worth it for me, both students and friends, and faculty and staff. Everyone has been such an integral part of my experience so far. I have loved every minute and every interaction that I had with professors. I have never had any negative experiences with them, and my fellow peers and students just helped make my education so much more fun and exciting. I love the people I live with and see on a daily basis. They’re my friends and they’re kind of like my life outside of school, which I love. The people I’ve surrounded myself with are what make Wartburg worth it.