Columns Bonus Content

by Alexis Dewey, senior mass communication major

For many students, leaving home to attend college means saying goodbye to frequent interactions with family in order to start a new chapter in life. Alum Laura Tobing, ’14 and ’17, embarked on her own nursing education journey, traveling across the country to Southern Adventist University, and in the process became a pioneer for several of her relatives who eventually followed the same path to campus.



Family gathers to celebrate graduates Carissa (left), Kevin, and Kathleen Djami in May 2022.

Laura Paves the Way

Originally from Loma Linda, California, Laura began searching for a nursing school environment surrounded by strong, spiritually-minded individuals. She found Southern to be the right fit and enrolled as a freshman in 2012.

“I wanted a place where I could build a firm foundation for my relationship with Jesus and enjoy a beautiful, natural environment that was ripe with adventure,” she says.

Her parents and most of her family members are originally from Indonesia, and she would regularly invite them to visit and experience campus events. Asian Night became an annual favorite for the broader family and something they looked forward to attending, especially as Laura was heavily involved in the planning. “It was fun showing them everything Southern has to offer,” she says. “I personally made sure they had quality time here but never knew the impact that was still to come.”

Several of her cousins not only followed the steps she paved for them to Southern but also chose to study nursing. “I feel very proud and overjoyed to see them making their way through the same program with many of the wonderful and caring professors that I also had the privilege of learning from,” Laura says. “I’m so happy to know that we’ve walked the same grounds and enjoyed the same college experience to reminisce about for years to come.”

More Family Follows

After Laura graduated, she was followed by her sister, Sarah Jane Tobing, ’22 and ’23, along with cousins Kathleen Djami, ’21 and ’22; Kevin Djami, ’22 and ’23; Carissa Djami, ’22 and ’23; Trevor Djami, ’24; and Jacquline Sopandi, junior nursing major.

Trevor Djami recently graduated with an associate degree in nursing at Spring Commencement. He was born in California but moved to Arkansas at age 7. He credits Laura for motivating him to choose Southern’s program. “Hearing that she had a good experience piqued both my interest and my parents’ support for the decision to enroll.”

Along with Laura’s influence, several other factors contributed to Trevor’s career decision. Looking after his grandmother at home and participating in medical mission trips developed his passion for caring for others and cemented the idea of becoming a nurse.

Carissa Djami is Trevor and Kevin’s sister and the Tobings’ cousin. “I remember visiting years ago and thinking, ‘Wow! This is a cool school,’” she says. She especially values the professors who listen to students and are always willing to help. Not immediately sure if nursing was her path, as soon as classes began she felt that this was indeed God’s calling on her life.

Having family on campus is important to her, and already close-knit bonds are being further strengthened. With any challenges she faces, there is always someone to look to and talk with who truly understands.

Another cousin to the Tobings and Djamis in the nursing program is Jacquline Sopandi. Also born in California, Jacquline looks back at her time on the West Coast and remembers how she and her cousins grew up close and very connected.

“There was never a doubt in her mind about attending the rural campus on the other side of the continent,” she says. “I didn’t find any options that were more interesting, so this was always the place for me.” She finds it exciting that so many in her family have been part of the same nursing program because it fosters unique discussions and even closer bonds.

A Family Dynasty      

“I take pride in being part of a generation of nurses in our family,” Trevor says. “One professor has even called us ‘The Djami Dynasty’ with so many coming through the program.”

Jacquline notes that whenever someone begins to feel homesick, the others are nearby. They each root for each other with the bonus of having more in common than a bloodline.

Carissa finds peace knowing that her family is nearby and going through similar experiences, so she always has someone to look to for guidance. The cousins often gather to pray before exams and big events, and she feels their collective spiritual growth is much stronger because they are together.

The familial domino effect that started with Laura has led to a generation of cousins studying at Southern, while never being far from a connection with home.