Alumni Success Story: Mariah Nelesen ‘20

—By Christy Wolff ’10

Mariah Nelesen ‘20 was just months away from graduating from Trinity with a degree in graphic design, and, like her classmates, she was excited for graduation and to begin her career. Then tragedy struck in a way that turned her world completely upside down. 

On Feb. 22, 2020, Nelesen was in her dorm room and began experiencing intense chest pain, which soon spread to her back. Her parents, Marc ‘91 and Tracy (Ingelse) ‘92 Nelesen, were at the family’s home in Zeeland, Mich. They encouraged Nelesen to call her aunt and uncle, who lived close to Trinity and ask them to bring her to the hospital. Hearing her daughter’s symptoms hit especially close to home for Tracy, who, 10 years prior, had experienced an aortic dissection–a serious condition which causes a tear within the aorta, compromising blood flow. “When we got to the hospital, I remember my aunt and uncle pushing hard to get me into a room as soon as possible because of my mom’s history,” Nelesen said. 

After a CT scan and test of her heart, her greatest fear was realized: It was determined that Nelesen was also experiencing an aortic dissection. 

She was then transferred to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill., to be under the care of their specialized cardiovascular team. By the time Nelesen was transferred, her parents and boyfriend arrived from Michigan to provide support. “I don’t remember much from that night. As my dad says, I was in survival mode at that point,” Nelesen said. 

After more tests, the doctors discovered that her case was more severe than her mother’s, and was quite rare for a healthy 21-year-old. 

Surgery became an option to help repair the tear, but because of the genetic component, the doctors weren’t sure how Nelesen’s body would react to surgery. They ultimately decided not to do surgery and instead placed Nelesen on strict bed rest. 

A few days into Nelesen’s hospital stay, Marc connected with Trinity’s Student Life Office and explained his daughter’s situation. Soon, Nelesen received an email from the Art Department showing their support and encouraging her not to worry about her classes, and that they would help in whatever way was needed. 

“Before my health scare, I was trying to finish up my thesis show for my final project. Several of my art professors encouraged me to send them the materials needed to print and install in order to finalize my project. It was so encouraging to have that support without me reaching out to them first,” Nelesen said. 

One week later, Nelesen was able to cautiously walk around, but her right leg – where the tear reached – was extremely weak. Her doctors weren’t too optimistic that this function would return. “Because I was this rare case, the hospital would bring in different med students or residents to help them learn; I felt like a zoo animal at times, being on display. It was uncomfortable,” Nelesen recalled. 

Eventually, Nelesen was released from the hospital and made the journey back to Michigan. Just five days after she got home, Trinity announced that the rest of the semester would be entirely online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I knew I’d have to finish my semester online at home, so when I heard about campus shutting down, I felt a sense of relief knowing that I wouldn’t miss out on all of the things my friends were doing to finish up our senior year,” Nelesen said. “Everyone was having to figure this out together; it wasn’t just me.” 

From early on in the graphic design program, Professor of Art & Design John Bakker, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Kaleb Dean, and Professor of Art & Design and Department Chair Ryan Thompson all encouraged Nelesen to consider graduate school. After applying to four schools and being accepted to all four, Nelesen decided to pursue her master’s degree in graphic design at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The school offered Nelesen a fellowship, which covers the cost of all but one semester of the program. “After a tough beginning to the year, this was the affirmation I needed. It was a good reminder of God’s faithfulness in my life,” Nelesen said. 

Her faith played an impactful role in her life over the past year, especially considering the numerous mountains and valleys she faced. “I distinctly remember being in the hospital and being too afraid to pray, thinking prayer wouldn’t work,” Nelesen recalled. “I also remember being so grateful to have the Trinity community and my church, who prayed for me and my family. They lifted me up when I felt like I didn’t have what it took to pray for myself.” 

Nelesen went on to say, “My relationship with God isn’t just about the things He gives or doesn’t give, but about walking with me in my everyday life and caring about both my struggles and my wins.” 

Today, Nelesen is busy with grad school and planning her wedding, which is scheduled for the summer of 2022. 

“Trinity was a place where I felt like I found myself and started to understand who I am and what my place in this world is as a Christian, a graphic designer, and a human being,” Nelesen said. “I’ve realized that Trinity has been a backbone for me throughout the past four years of my life. I’m confident that it will continue to be that for me in the ways it has shaped me in all areas of my life.”