NVP Fellows

Declan Mears ’27

Declan Mears (he/him) is currently a junior at St. Olaf College, pursuing a double major in Philosophy and English. Originally from Lawrenceville, Georgia, he has a passion for exploring complex ideas and expressing himself creatively. He is excited about the opportunity to join the NVP Fellowship to foster a stronger sense of love, connection, and unity within our hilltop community. Outside of his academic pursuits, you can often find him immersed in video games, enjoying a game of Dungeons & Dragons, or working on his latest drawing.

Campbell Kirtley ’27

Campbell (she/they) is a junior Sociology/Anthropology and French double major from Walla Walla, Washington. She identifies as an agnostic, or “seeker” – hoping to find meaning, purpose and community through many different spiritual avenues. Campbell grew up surrounded by the interreligious community at Whitman College with students and programming of different faiths, and it’s an environment she’s continued to seek out since arriving at St. Olaf. Campbell has spent the last six years doing activism work and is excited by the way the Nourishing Vocation Project Fellows work to hold spiritual life and community needs together.

The communicative practice of finding a balance of listening and sharing, and the collaborative effort toward positive change are practices of vocation that we can all engage with, regardless of religious affiliation. I have spent the last five years doing activism work and am excited by the way the NVP works to hold spiritual life and community needs together.

Sarah Queiroz de Oliveira Santa ’29

Sarah (she/her) is a first-year student from Salvador, Brazil, studying Psychology with concentrations in Public Health and Neuroscience. She’s been playing piano since she was little, and music is still one of her favorite ways to find peace and joy. Coming from a country where faith shows up in many different cultures and traditions, she identifies as agnostic but loves exploring different religious ideas in Brazil and beyond. She’s also lived in South Africa and India, where she learned new ways of seeing the world and started reflecting on her own purpose. Sarah is excited to bring her curiosity, passions, and questions to the NVP Fellowship while connecting with the community. And if she’s not at the Lutheran Center, you can probably find her at one of the pianos around campus!

David Thomas ’29

David Thomas (He/Him) is a first-year student who intends to major in Vocal Music Education. He seeks to find ways to meaningfully impact those around him by building relationships and community, and he is excited to do so through the opportunities given by the Nourishing Vocations Project. He is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and wants to make church and liturgies more accessible for those who are interested in learning more about them. Having sung since he was a very small child, he is very passionate about choral music and is very outspoken about all of the cool benefits of being in choirs.

Svea Rundman ’29

Svea Rundman (she/her) is a first-year student from Edina, Minnesota and intends to major within the humanities. She went on an exchange year to Sweden her senior year of high school and is passionate about creating joyful, curious, and diverse community. Often performing with her family around the country at ELCA churches, she has grown to love the music, theology, and people. She is excited to see how her role as an NVP fellow will give her more opportunities to interact with passionate people and learn about different perspectives. Svea loves songwriting, teaching kids, listening to music, and journaling.