During his time on campus, Jacob Koestner ’24 lived in Alumni Hall and studied environmental engineering and theology. He passionately worked toward “the mutual flourishing of the natural world and humanity,” having gained practical skills in his engineering classes and being guided to contribute to the common good through his theology courses.
Journey to Notre Dame from Washington
Jake was a freshman in high school biology class the first time he heard about Notre Dame. The teacher mentioned that his best student ever, who went on to study biology at Notre Dame fifteen years earlier, had found a great education where he was constantly challenged and forced to grow.
Jake fell in love with the University even more when he discovered its mission to be a force for good.
That same biology teacher wrote Jacob a recommendation letter when he applied his senior year before even touring the campus. Jacob considered his acceptance divine providence.
“I chose to come to Notre Dame because I was really inspired by its mission to be a force for good in the world and its commitment to the integration of faith with academics.”
Studying for good
Growing up in Spokane, Washington, Jake always felt connected to nature. He often went fishing and hiking with his family. He drove up mountain roads to take samples of insects in the rivers with his grandfather, who conducted research for the University of Montana.
Because of that love, Jake wanted to help preserve and contribute to the flourishing of nature, so he switched to environmental engineering as a major during the second semester of his freshman year.
He also wanted something that would help him create change for people, so Jacob added a major in theology as well.
“I wanted to study something that would nurture my soul and help me to understand the world, which is why I chose environmental engineering. But studying theology has primed me to be the best engineer I can be.”
Finding a faith community
Although Jake was not Catholic himself, he felt deeply moved by the faith life at Notre Dame. He found friends and communities that encouraged him to ask deeper questions about what he believed and why.
“The answers to those questions surprised me and ultimately led to my choice to become Catholic myself. My conversion to Catholicism is the greatest gift I have ever received, and it has made me into the disciple of Christ that I am today and that I will always strive to be.”
In his junior year, he decided to convert to Catholicism.
Jake became involved in Bible study and served on Notre Dame’s sacramental preparation team to help others through their faith journeys with RCIA.
“I’m grateful because I've been a witness to great transformation, renewal of people's hearts, a deepening of a sense of hope, an explosion of joy in people's lives, and a lot of healing as well.”
Opportunities to grow as a force for good
Jacob first fell in love with Notre Dame when he saw its commitment to be a force for good in the world. As a student, he wanted to be a part of this and sought out opportunities to make impact through his passions: faith and the natural world.
“One of the things I love the most about Notre Dame is how many opportunities there are for impactful experiential learning.”
Solidarity and Service
Through Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns, Jacob decided to make an impact in nearby communities his freshman year. He took a class about the cultural and social issues of the Appalachian region—including its history, people, culture, challenges, and strengths.
Then, the class took an immersion during their fall break, where they completed manual labor for the locals, building porches, painting homes, and other fruitful activities, as well as experiencing community with locals.
“The Appalachian Seminar was what inspired me towards a love for service and a desire to integrate that into my life.”
Exposure and Encounter
Through a program called WONDER, which was started by a Notre Dame alumna, Jacob took a wilderness expedition to Utah. The goal of this program was to help participants reconnect with nature, God, and each other, allowing for a journey of personal and spiritual growth.
“The WONDER program really helped me to realize my connectedness with other people, understand the importance of community and relationships, and see beauty in other people.”
Jacob took what he learned with WONDER and actualized it through a program called Catholic Outdoor Renewal (COR) the next year. He worked as a guide in Wyoming, taking groups on wilderness expeditions to renew the heart and mind and help bring people closer to God through nature.
“These outdoor programs have really helped me to be grounded where I am and to focus on the people that I'm with, plus to rediscover the value of silence and of prayer and of appreciation for all the gifts that God has given us through the natural world and each other.”
Servitude and Faith
Jacob also often visited Our Lady of the Road. This center offers opportunities for people in need to take showers, do laundry, have breakfast, rest, and enjoy conversation with one another.
He helped with a variety of services and found that each day was an opportunity to love and give to others.
“It was really great. I think that every day, there is no shortage of opportunities to really make a difference for people. This helped me understand that service should be a part of my life and how it partners with my faith.”
Engineering for good
In August, Jacob will begin working as an engineer for the city of South Bend. He wants to use the skills and knowledge he gained at Notre Dame to continue to make an impact on others.
“I made the decision to stay here in South Bend because of the relationships I formed here and the sense of community that I found in my faith. South Bend is a place that I want to give back to and to serve, and is also somewhere that I know will help me discern the ultimate trajectory of my life.”
Through his work for the city, Jacob hopes to be able to contribute practically to the infrastructure the community of South Bend needs to exist and to the life he wants to live through his involvement in faith communities, service to others, and friendships.
“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the donors who helped make Notre Dame possible for me. Education has been the greatest gift to my life; it has transformed me as a person and made me so much better. I could not be more grateful for everything you have done to make that possible.”
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