President's Memorandum

Strength Through Support: Finding Community in Athletics

From the moment sophomore Benjamin Maher stepped on Wheaton’s campus, he felt a familiar sense of home— one thing that has remained constant amidst a flurry of unforeseen challenges in the past year. Originally from Troy, Michigan, he first came to Wheaton to play soccer, but when health challenges halted his soccer career, he discovered a new home with the track and field team. 

“The track team welcomed me with open arms,” he shared. “Every practice lifts my spirits, and I leave feeling better than when I got there.” Now a decathlete, Maher thrives in the challenge of mastering ten events, from sprints to pole vaulting. He credits his coaches and teammates for their Christ-centered leadership and genuine care. 

“It’s special to be part of a program that values both athletic excellence and our witness as followers of Christ,” he says. 

Although his focus is business and economics, Benjamin points to his Old Testament Literature and Interpretation class as one of the most meaningful academic experiences of his Wheaton journey. An assignment to compose a lament psalm in the style of Hebrew poetry gave him a deep appreciation for the intersection of faith and learning, where he was able to express his personal struggles through the lens of prayer. “That was transformative, and I never thought I’d say that about homework,” he says. 

Reflecting on his Wheaton journey thus far, Benjamin emphasizes the community that has supported him through every season. “Wheaton people support each other very well. I’ve experienced that firsthand, and I see it all the time—students cheering on their friends at sporting events, supporting their friends at plays in the Arena Theater or a concert at Edman Chapel,” he says. “There’s a deep sense of care here, made possible by a greater community that believes in each other. It’s amazing to feel that kind of support, and that’s what makes Wheaton so special.” 

Faith in Practice: A Journey of Service, Science, and Calling

For Dr. Jaquelyn Nystrom ’99, the seeds of service were planted early. Raised in Indonesia, where her parents dedicated over two decades to translating the Bible, she grew up with a front-row seat to the transformative power of faith in action. 

While she initially felt drawn to ministry as well, her father suggested a different path: medicine. That conversation sparked a journey that would lead her to Wheaton College, where she discovered how to integrate her faith with her academic interest in chemistry. 

This became especially useful in medical school at Emory University, where operating on a foundation of faith wasn’t the norm. “It’s important to learn how to be yourself and to be honest about your Christian beliefs, even when others may not understand. Leaving space for people to share their different beliefs and maintain strong friendships—that’s a valuable skill I really had to develop during medical school,” she says. 

This growth would not have been possible without the foundation she built at Wheaton early on in her journey. As a scholarship recipient, Jacquelyn felt empowered to embrace her calling with confidence, knowing there was a network of alumni and friends of the College who believed in the next generation of Christian leaders. 

Jacquelyn’s husband, Robert, who regularly visited her while she finished her studies, was struck by the vibrant, faith-filled community at Wheaton. Over the years, he too has become a steadfast supporter of the College, believing in its mission to prepare students to serve Christ and build His church. 

Together, they prioritize supporting Wheaton as a way to express gratitude for the education that set Jacquelyn on course for a meaningful career as a family doctor in Florida. They feel called to ensure today’s students have the same opportunity to pursue their vocation with courage and conviction. 

“Wheaton helped me see that my work could be an extension of my faith, and I want to do the same for others,” she says.