Exit of a Legend, a New Chapter for the Journey that is Seth Nelson

Hi, I’m John Webster, a Junior Spanish and International Economics & Cultural Affairs (phew, wordy, I know) major at Valparaiso University. I work in the Office of Admissions here and I’ve known Seth well through the office and through his ties with current students. I’m here to write a tribute to Seth as he leaves us tomorrow to head to Dubuque, Iowa to begin classes at Wartburg Theological Seminary on his way to being a pastor.

Seth has been a strong and steady presence for me and many other students in my class. He’s a regular attendee of Morning Chapel, and being a very approachable person, many students including myself have found him to be a good resource for advice as well as learning about quirky differences of campus just four years ago. I’m very happy for Seth and his future at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Iowa with his wife Jen, but I’m going to miss Seth and his warm, friendly, good-natured, hilarious spirit.

Seth told me he’s going to miss the community of Valpo that he has grown to know as home over his six years here. He is definitely excited to return to school though, as he found a love of learning at Valpo. As we all find, what makes college a memorable experience is the funny experiences with friends. Freshman year, Seth took a trip up to Chicago on the South Shore Line to visit a friend. Upon returning however, he realized he had forgotten to arrange a ride between his stop and Valpo. Being cellphoneless during his freshman year, Seth realized he had to “hoof it,” and so he embarked on a four hour walk back to campus, after stopping at A&W in Chesterton. In the fall of his Sophomore year, Seth met the girl that would become his wife at ultimate frisbee practice. Later in his Sophomore year, Seth went roadtripping with friends in Cleveland, they arrived at midnight but in the spirit of travel they discussed the other places they could go and how close they were. They ended up seeing the sun rise over Niagara falls at 6:30AM that morning. Other favorite memories of Seth’s include studying abroad in Namibia in the fall of his Junior year, getting engaged to Jen during the following summer, sprinkling the Center for the Arts snow covered lawn with fruity pebbles shot from a large potato gun with his good friend John Unrath, and last but not least, roasting marshmallows on the torches at our campus entrance.

Seth came to the VU Admission office because he was passionate about bringing students to the school he loved so much. I attest that he enjoyed his work here thoroughly, he’s known for being the enthusiastic, jovial guy that visits everyone’s office. He definitely served the office with the levity that he brings to any situation. He told me most enjoyed travelling to college fairs, particularly when he went to Wisconsin with Michael Hansen, one of our newer Admission Counselors, to train him. Apparently Michael is hilarious, and I expect him to fill the office with levity when Seth’s presence is no more.

In closing, Seth had one simple but sincere thing to say, that I can already agree with: “I am a better person for having come to V