Dave NonnemacherCompassionate visionary

DOUG BURG

Since joining Northwestern’s staff in 1987, Dave Nonnemacher has served as a resident director, director of residence life, service learning coordinator and head baseball coach. His current role is director of the Lilly Grant and experiential learning.

Describe the essence of what you do at Northwestern.
I’m a seeker of the possible.

As the administrator of NWC’s $2.5 million Lilly Grant, what would you say has been the best impact of that gift?
The incredible opportunities it provides for our community to explore vocational call.

Why is experiential learning important? 
When we can help students connect the head to the heart, learning is maximized. We have a number of faculty and staff who seek to do that by incorporating experiential learning into curricular and co-curricular offerings. 

Name something about your work you really enjoy.
When I have the opportunity to connect students to work that matters—be it work centered on research, serving in under-resourced communities, or loving the marginalized in Jesus’ name—it’s a great privilege.

Describe yourself in three words.
Proactive, focused, compassionate.

What is your favorite spot on campus?
The rehab area in the Bultman Center. Some of my best ideas have come during a hard workout on the elliptical machine. I can get alone with my thoughts, hammer a bit, listen to some U2 and dream.

What is one of your treasured NWC memories?
It was at the Region 3 championship baseball game in 2007 against Dickinson State. Brad Payne flipped the ball to Austin Malone to force the runner at second base, clinching our first regional championship. Plus, Mihai Burlea, our All-American from Romania, was the pitcher. It brought together a bunch of stuff for me. It was an emotional moment.

When have you been surprised at work?
I was so moved by the humbling, incredible response of my co-workers to my family’s attempt to have Rodica, a young woman from Moldova in need of medical intervention, come to live with us two years ago. The folks in the Franken Center spearheaded an effort to raise funds to help us defray expenses, members of the community lifted her visa application process up in prayer, and many others participated in ways too numerous to mention.

How has your family changed in the last year?
Jody and I adopted Zoe and Grace, half-sisters from Liberia, last October. What a ride! We are grateful for the encouragement and support we received from Northwestern through this process.

What are your hobbies?
I love to read. I enjoy chasing pheasants on a cool fall day, a good workout over the noon hour and taking in all my children’s activities. Maybe more than anything I love to imagine “what might be.”