If you ask Nate Raschke to choose his favorite memory from his years at TLU, he won’t be able to do it. 

“Thinking back, I can honestly say it is impossible to pick one,” says the 2013 grad. “It was four years of special memories and experiences that shaped me into the person I am today.”

The person he is today is quite outstanding. As the program manager of the New Braunfels Food Bank, Raschke has dedicated his life to helping others. Although he didn’t begin working at the food bank straight out of college, his previous experience helped pave the way.

Raschke still remembers the Christmas morning when he first decided to attend TLU. “I was familiar with TLU because I grew up in the Lutheran Church,” he says. “The high school I attended in north Austin was huge. I sought a different experience for my undergraduate education. But what sealed the deal for me was that I opened my acceptance letter and scholarship offer on Christmas morning—the most memorable and valuable present I may ever receive.”

Early on in Raschke’s undergrad years, Dave Sather ‘89, president of Sather Financial Group, Board of Regent member, and founder of TLU’s Bulldog Investment Company, made a presentation in one of his business classes. “He emphasized the importance of being a detail-oriented analyst, but also an adept communicator. Neither skill is effective without the other,” says Raschke, who, with that understanding, decided to pursue a degree in Finance and Marketing.

“Upon graduating from TLU, I was hired on at Sather Financial Group as an investment analyst after having interned for two years through Bulldog Investment Company,” says Raschke. “I was fortunate to have worked alongside several TLU alum at the firm.” 

While he worked there, Raschke studied to become a Certified Financial Planner. “After a couple of years, I was promoted to research manager, where I oversaw all investment research opportunities, including mentoring a regular rotation of interns from Texas Lutheran.” During that time, he came to campus every week to work with TLU students in the program. “I am grateful to Dave Sather for his mentorship through the years,” says Raschke. 

It was Sather, in fact, who guided Raschke to get more involved in his local community—New Braunfels—through avenues such as Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. “They helped me to feel connected, meet the ‘movers and shakers,’ and to give back.”

Then the pandemic hit, and that deeply affected Raschke. “At some point in the middle of the pandemic, I had a moment of clarity and realized I no longer wanted these outlets to be my ‘side hustle.’ I knew then I wanted to work at a non-profit where I knew I would have the opportunity to make an outsized impact in my community on a daily basis. When I saw a unique opportunity open up at the New Braunfels Food Bank, I jumped at the chance.”

At the food bank, Raschke’s duties are varied and include overseeing all categories of programs, including food distribution, seniors and children, nutrition education, workforce development, pet food, and utility assistance programs. He also manages daily operations as well as staff, volunteers, and interns, handles disaster response coordination, and much more. 

His work has not gone unnoticed. He was recently named Distinguished Young Leader in New Braunfels by the New Braunfels Jaycees, New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, and New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung. “I was honored to be recognized as the Distinguished Young Leader at the Rising Stars Soiree. There are many amazing people in New Braunfels that serve as an inspiration to me.”

Raschke and wife Brandi (Wells—TLU class of 2014) still make time to stay connected to their alma mater. “With New Braunfels just a stone's throw away from Seguin, we find ourselves at Texas Lutheran a couple times a year for a variety of events, Vespers being one of our most cherished Christmas traditions. One of the great honors in my life was when I was nominated to serve as the Young Regent on TLU's Board. While my term was short, I was proud of the bold decisions we made to greenlight new program initiatives to enable growth for the future of the university.”

Raschke has some great words of advice for current students. “Get involved in student organizations! At one point, I may have been involved in more student organizations than I had fingers on my hands. While you are obviously at a university to earn a degree, I found there was also much to learn outside the classroom.”

When he’s not at work, Raschke stays busy, giving his time to the Rotary Club of New Braunfels, Comal County Homeless Coalition, and Leadership New Braunfels and Seguin. For one who set out to make an impact on his community—and to do it on a daily basis—Raschke has shown by example that it’s possible to make a living making a difference.