In the Faces of Olivet series, we share snapshots of the personal experiences and careers of some of our extraordinary students, faculty, staff and alumni. This article focuses on Mallory (Hoekstra) ‘20 and Jon Velting ‘20, as they reflect on the impact that Olivet has had on them individually and as a couple.
Jon and Mallory came to Olivet pursuing individual calls. Little did they know that God had a greater plan for their collegiate experience than they anticipated. Mallory began her Olivet journey as a transfer student seeking to find a university that supported her beliefs and values. Jon learned about the University as a senior in high school and knew, after prayerful consideration, that Olivet was where he was being called.
Coincidentally, the two both chose to study nursing. For Mallory, the desire to pursue a career in nursing came from her passion to help people. Jon wanted to study nursing because the career path fostered his interest in studying anatomy and physiology and allowed him to engage with others in their healthcare journey.
During their time at Olivet, Jon served as a Resident Assistant for Nesbit Hall. Mallory served as a representative of the Nursing Student Association board and also helped run the flu shot clinic at College Church during the fall. The couple met during their time in the Nursing Program and were married the summer before their senior year in 2019. They both enjoyed the Olivet traditions such as Ollies Follies and competing on various intramural teams.
Jon and Mallory also greatly valued the life-long relationships they were able to form at the University. “As a couple, Olivet will forever be part of our love story,” Mallory says. “I think the experiences we both had there – individually and together – has and will shape our marriage and careers.”
For Jon, the leadership opportunities at Olivet enhanced his passion for serving others. He says, “Olivet helped me grow as a spiritual leader and taught me how to find people’s strengths and support them.”
Following graduation, Jon and Mallory moved to Nashville where they are working at St. Thomas West Hospital in the nursing residency program, specifically in acute care. Down the road the couple looks forward to following God’s calling in more specific specialties.
As the world continues to navigate the global pandemic, Jon and Mallory both feel an extra level of responsibility as healthcare workers. “The calling to be a nurse is not an easy one,” Jon says. The couple feels that in this time, it is important that they both need to be as educated as possible, adhering to the guidelines and being an example to others.
The couple agreed that their professors did an exceptional job equipping them to love and serve others. “To be a nurse is to quite literally be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Mallory says. “Our time in Olivet’s nursing program has definitely equipped us to serve God and humanity through our careers as nurses.”
To learn more about the School of Nursing and Olivet’s areas of study, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
Published 6/22/2020
Photo submitted
HRI
