Jenna Anderson-

This week’s Gustie of the Week is Senior Marcus Nguyen. Nguyen is a Japanese Studies and Philosophy double major with a Political Science and Sports Management double minor. He was a swimmer for all four years and plays the viola in the Gustavus Symphony Orchestra, or GSO.

Coming into Gustavus, Nguyen knew that he wanted to be involved in an Asian Studies or Japanese program, and everything else came together as he moved through his classes. “I had taken an introductory philosophy course with Josh Brown my first semester, and that hooked me with Philosophy,” Nguyen said. “It’s enjoyable just to think about hard things.”

“I’ve been swimming and playing the viola for quite some time,” Nguyen said. Continuing with these activities “felt like the next step” for him. “I knew I wanted to come to Gustavus partly because I could play the viola and participate in swimming as well,” Nguyen said. This flexibility is something that he wouldn’t have been able to have at most other colleges. “It just felt natural,” Nguyen said about continuing on with all of his activities.

Professor in Philosophy Peg O’Connor said, “Marcus has used the same notebook for all his philosophy classes. Some of us threaten to steal it every so often just to see what would happen to him. It comes in handy though, especially when someone refers back to a conversation in another course. Marcus flips open that red spiral notebook and refers to his notes.”

Nguyen mentioned Associate Professor and Department Chair in Philosophy Josh Brown as someone who was influential on his Gustavus journey. “He kickstarted my Philosophy major and my interest in philosophy in general, so I just have to credit him,” Nguyen said. In addition, Nguyen has been grateful for his swimming coaches: “They’ve been very influential all four years, and they’ve supported me all throughout the way.” 

David Tobaru Obermiller has been another of the most influential people on Nguyen’s Gustavus journey. “He was one of my first profs as a freshman and I immediately wanted him as my advisor,” Nguyen said. Obermiller has helped Nguyen in so many ways as an advisor, setting him up for success in his future career and encouraging him to study abroad.

The fall of Nguyen’s Junior year, he studied abroad in Japan for a semester as a requirement for his Japanese Studies degree. He went to Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City, Japan. “That was just an amazing experience. My language skills improved dramatically, and I got to travel in just about every moment of free time I had,” Nguyen said. “For my fall break, I took a solo trip to Tokyo and walked around in the largest city in the world,” Nguyen said. After those two days, “I met up with a couple more friends and moved South and went to Mount Fuji and explored a lot of different trails, mountains, and just a section of Japan that’s known for its natural landscapes,” Nguyen recounted. 

“I’ve certainly enjoyed the community of Gustavus,” Nguyen said, especially highlighting the community of his swim team. “I’d say most people are aware of the swimmer’s reputation for being very much close-knit and a loud member of the Gustavus community. I’ve certainly enjoyed that very much,” Nguyen said. 

Nguyen has been an active member of the Gustavus sports community during his time here. One of his most memorable moments at Gustavus was last year (2024) when both the Men’s and Women’s Swim teams simultaneously won the MIAC championships for the first time since 2007. “That was a very special moment,” he said. Another fond sports memory came from last winter; “there was a day when Women’s Hockey and Men’s and Women’s Basketball were all playing [important games]. That day stands out in my mind,” Nguyen said. He recounts feeling the Gustavus community and the bustling energy on campus. “And I’m pretty sure that we won all of those games,” Nguyen said.

After graduation, Nguyen is planning to go to Washington, D.C. to work. “I intend on working at my uncle and aunt’s dentistry while also getting set up there and looking for my future career. I also intend on looking for coaching jobs for swimming,” he said.

Nguyen was described by O’Connor as “what we in the philosophy department regard as a good citizen of a course. He regularly asks questions, offers his interpretations, builds off what someone else has said, and makes interesting connections to other topics.” From the pool and orchestra to his multifaceted academic pursuits, Nguyen is a well-rounded and engaged member of the Gustavus community.