Fall 2024 NVP Fellows
Emily King-Nobles ’25
Hi friends! My name is Emily (she/her) and I am a senior social work major with a concentration in public health. My dream is to become a medical social worker, yet I’m also learning God often has different plans than my own. So, we’ll see where the future takes me:) When I’m not in school, I’m hiking, rock climbing, traveling, writing, dreaming and spending time with my people and fur babies.
Growing up as a daughter of two pastors, I fell in love with Jesus and the goodness of church people at a young age. I also learned that a relationship with Jesus might just be the most confusing relationship I’ll ever have. Throughout the turbulence though, there’s always been a wind pulling me back into God’s grace. I want that same sort of radical love to be experienced by people of all generations. This is my third year as an NVP fellow and it has been a true blessing to see the transformation that can come as a result of this project. I am stoked for my final year at St Olaf and all the adventures that lay ahead!
Else Madsen ’25
Else is a senior Religion and Political Science major. She hopes to go on to law school specializing in exoneration justice and reentry work. Outside of academics, Else loves to explore the North Shore of Minnesota (where she’s from), travel whenever and wherever she can, drink coffee, and spend time with the people she loves.
For the Nourishing Vocation Project she will continue her summer project of researching the intersection of social justice and religion. Passionate about emphasizing the connection between one’s political convictions and their political engagement, Else is eager to continue learning from religious leaders and her St. Olaf peers.
Declan Mears ’27
Declan Mears (he/him) is currently a sophomore 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.
Benjamin Fisher ’27
Hello my name is Benjamin James Fisher and I’m currently a freshman at St. Olaf college. I currently plan on majoring in environmental science, Spanish, and pursuing a concentration in foreign relations, and am particularly interested in environmental sustainability in Latin America. I hope to use my Spanish-speaking skills to promote environmental initiatives and reduce the unequal effects of climate change. As a recently-added member to the NVP initiative, I’ve been very grateful for the community this position provides. As a young adult, I know how unpredictable life can be. College provides more opportunities than a student’s schedule can hold, so working as a fellow for the National Vocation Project blocks the time I need to reflect on what really matters in life. Our biweekly meetings give me the time to converse with others on the things that I value in life, such as friendships and inclusivity. The people I meet with are filled with positivity and a conviction to make a positive difference in this world, and I can’t wait to see what amazing initiatives we’ll support each other through.
As a Christian and environmentalist, I want to make a difference in the current climate crisis by teaching others about the importance of a healthy planet and how that relates to God’s beautiful creations. This position offers me that opportunity through creating environmentally-focused curriculums to teach the youth about the interconnectedness of all living things and how we need to steward the earth instead of exploiting it. I also hope to present congregations with environmental initiatives that greenify worship spaces and the communities around them to make a cleaner environment for worship. Through these initiatives, I also hope that congregations will grow stronger together by working on a common goal of an overall cleaner community. By collaborating on sustainability initiatives, congregations will be able to further connect by sharing their faiths together in conversation and worship. With all the religious differences and turmoil in this world, the need to make these connections is more important than ever, and by establishing a close-knit community of congregations that values the environment and inclusivity, people will have a place to go for help and comfort in the times of the unknowable future.
Naomi Meints ’25
Hello! My name is Naomi Meints (she/her). I am from Duluth, Minnesota, and I am a junior at St. Olaf. I am majoring in sociology/anthropology and religion, as I am passionate about working with and understanding people. I enjoy studying humanity from both an academic perspective as well as a personal and theological one. I love to learn about different cultures, be aware of global issues, and be active in positive change. I enjoy traveling and understanding perspectives outside of my own, and seeing God’s love in all people and places. I was raised Lutheran and this continues to be important to me. I like learning about my own upbringing and working to make the church a welcoming and loving place for all. I love learning about relevant issues and helping people address them in healthy ways in their congregations.
I am very interested in cross-cultural interaction and multicultural education, and hope to examine other cultures and experiences alongside exploring my own religion, culture, and community. I hope to continue to learn and travel and do positive work with these skills, either through education or non-profit work. I have found a wonderful community here at St. Olaf and enjoy contributing to my college community as well as congregations around the country. I enjoy working with the Nourishing Vocation project to better understand myself, my faith, and those around me.
Outside of work and church, I love expressing my creativity! I enjoy painting and sewing my own clothing, and I am involved with dance groups on campus. Additionally, I enjoy learning languages as a way to connect with others, and I am currently learning Spanish, Norwegian, and ASL. I also love being outside and have many fond memories of camping and canoeing in Northern Minnesota.
Campbell Kirtley ’27
I’m Campbell (she/they) and I am a sophomore Sociology/Anthropology major from Walla Walla, Washington. I identify as an agnostic, or “seeker” – hoping to find meaning, purpose and community through many different spiritual avenues. I grew up in a small United Church of Christ congregation where my dad served as the pastor. For me, church has served as a very welcoming and positive model of love and faith. I grew up surrounded by the interreligious community at Whitman College with students and programming of different faiths, and that community means a lot to me. It’s an environment I’ve continued to seek out since arriving at St. Olaf.
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.