Gabby Moline | Culture Editor | gmoline@butler.edu
Bulldogs of Butler: Nathan Jent
This is the latest installment of our Bulldog of Butler series, which is a short interview with someone to get to know more about them. We hope to highlight more and more people on this campus. Go to our website to read more stories about your fellow Dawgs.
Sophomore Nathan Jent describes his personal involvement with Butler University Dance Marathon and Riley Hospital for Children.
The Butler Collegian: So what is your personal Riley story?
Nathan Jent: I was a sophomore in high school and was on the football team. When we were practicing and playing, I got a cut on my arm. I wouldn’t have thought it any different than any other knick or cut or anything, but it kept opening up and never really healed. About a week and a half after that I started feeling really ill. I thought I had the stomach flu. Then it got progressively worse. It was really painful and I could barely move, so I decided I needed to go to the hospital. The family doctor sent me by ambulance to the hospital in town, then I was transferred to Riley for immediate care. I was in the ICU for three days and nights. They found out I had a staph infection from the cut that turned into a condition called sepsis. My kidneys failed and I had a fever of 106. It was really bad. They took care of me, and I was in the hospital for another ten days recovering. Then I got back to life after that. I definitely wouldn’t be around if it wasn’t for Riley.
TBC: When did you start working with dance marathons?
NJ: Last year. I was really inspired by the stories and reasons why the exec board was doing the marathon. It just reminded me of why I like Riley and my personal connection with it. I decided to be a committee member for Riley relations, because I felt that it would be a good fit for me.
TBC: What’s your favorite part about being on the committee?
NJ: I don’t think I could be a part of any other organization that has so much passion. Everyone that is a part of dance marathon and invested in it is an incredibly driven and passionate person and they care a lot about what they’re doing. It’s just a great cause. I love Riley a lot and I love what they do and how they do it, so it’s a perfect way for me to give back to them after my experience.
TBC: Is there anything you’re hoping to do in the future to help those at Riley?
NJ: I’m a [physician assistant] major, so I’d love to look into future opportunities with Riley or pediatric hospitals just like it. Right now I don’t know exactly how, maybe an internship. Volunteerism is something I’m always looking out for, as well, and PA helps me to do a lot of those things.
