This summer, we are following Calvin students, the Class of 2016 and a number of Calvin alums as they continue their journeys around the corner and across the globe. Nathan Maring is pursuing a career in law enforcement, training to serve as a police officer in Washington, D.C.

• Name: Nathan Maring
• Class: 2016
• Hometown: Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Major(s): Political Science
• Next step: Recruit officer, Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia

What’s one thing you would want to tell someone starting his or her journey at Calvin?

The first thing that I would say is to not be fearful of reaching out to friends, faculty and staff to ask questions about their experiences and your interests. The faculty and staff really do want to connect and invest in their students. I found that the support that came from my professors and bosses during my time at Calvin opened me up to new experiences and ideas that helped me pursue my passions. It can be intimidating at first, especially in the first couple of months at Calvin, however it is extremely rewarding and made my time at Calvin rewarding.

What are you most passionate about? How do you see that passion manifesting itself in this next step you are taking?

I would say that my passion is helping people and working to seek justice and solutions for problems plaguing communities. I have found that I am called to follow those passions through law enforcement. My family and church have always taught me to invest in my community, and I feel as if I can serve the communities in inner cities. I have learned to keep an open mind and think critically, which has opened me up to wonderful experiences such as the Washington, D.C. semester, and music ensemble tours. All of these experiences have prepared me for my journey into law enforcement and my current training at the Metropolitan Police Academy, where I am currently training to serve communities within the District of Columbia as a police officer.

How did you discover that passion?

Honestly, it took a couple years of thought and discussion for me to discover my passion. My family and church community had always taught me to care for others around me, doing what I could to serve my community. I had arrived at Calvin looking at going into politics or law, however I had an opportunity to work with former law enforcement at campus safety. The work experience and support of the staff really helped me take steps into discovering my passion, as well as the support of my professors, chaplains and friends. My coworkers and professors at Calvin had taken a vested interest in my journey, and the opportunities such as the Washington, D.C. semester have opened me up to wonderful new experiences--shaping my passions from ideas and dreams into a tangible and exciting reality.  

What about Calvin specifically prepared you for this position you are stepping into?

Calvin provided me with a challenging academic environment and has certainly prepared me for the current academics at the Metropolitan Police Academy. My professors would constantly challenge me to develop strong writing and studying practices. In addition to that, I had a chance to participate in the Washington, D.C. semester program. This program gave me a chance to live, study and work in D.C. That experience allowed me to become familiar with the district and the different communities that make up the district. Thanks to the opportunities that Calvin has provided me, I have been able to return to a city that I love and communities I want to serve.

What was your favorite space on campus?

My favorite spot on campus definitely was the Fish House. This stemmed from my love (and quite often, need) of coffee throughout my time at Calvin. But another reason that I spent so much time in the Fish House was that it was a place where I could always find my friends and staff to catch up with them. For me it was a great place to relax, study and connect with my friends throughout the day.