An Outstanding Nursing Program

Portrait of Benell Weatherspoon

Upon knowing that she wanted to become a nurse, Benell Weatherspoon ’12 was told by one of her high school teachers that Luther was a program she needed to consider. “He felt Luther had one of the best four-year programs in the Midwest,” Benell says. “And when I learned that the Luther nursing program partnered with Mayo Clinic, I thought it was amazing.”

Benell applied to several Lutheran colleges (including Luther) and was accepted at each one. “I visited all of them, but when I stepped onto Luther’s campus, it immediately felt like home to me. I knew it was where I wanted to spend the next four years,” she says.

My experiences at Luther gave me my first taste of independence, helped me learn the benefits of a holistic education​, and made me discover the importance of keeping God in my life at all times.

Benell Weatherspoon ’12

Career Choice and Independence

“Studying at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, during my junior year really solidified what I felt was my calling to be a nurse,” Benell says. “My clinical and classroom experiences made me realize that nursing was my true passion.”

Her experience with study-abroad trips also helped Benell achieve a higher degree of independence. “My two January Term study abroad trips to Jamaica and Tanzania helped shape me to be the person I am today,” she says. “I have always had a deep desire to travel the world, experience different cultures, and simply learn.”

Education and Co-Curriculars Offer Balance

Benell took part in numerous co-curriculars when she was at Luther and recommends current students do the same. “My best advice is to get involved,” she says. “The activity fair during the first week of school is the best thing ever! It lets you see all of the major groups, teams, forums, committees, fraternities, sororities, and everything else in one glance.”

Benell understands that college is primarily for education but says, “Your co-curriculars give you outlets to provide balance in your life and will provide the foundation for a well-rounded, holistic education that you can take with you forever. I learned that the combination of the two is really what Luther is all about.”

Related Profiles

Portrait of Italee Castellon

Italee Castellon ’19 found her passion for social work at Luther College. Despite losing her mother and gaining custody of her 1-year-old sister during her sophomore year, she earned her bachelor’s degree, and is now going on to get her master’s.

July 1 2025
Portrait of Karla Bloem with an Owl

Work-study opportunities at Luther helped to prepare Karla Bloem ’94 for her future career, developing a nature center from the ground up

July 1 2025