Honoring Nikolas Sorensen’s Legacy

Nikolas Sorensen was curious about the world around him. He loved science, space, motorcycles, cars, and sports, and most of all, he was deeply devoted to the people in his life.

“He was a good kid. He had an excellent sense of humor. He was really driven, really strong-willed,” said his father, Dr. Ben Sorensen, a History instructor at Cape Fear Community College.

His mother, Dr. Emilia Sorensen, is a Philosophy instructor at CFCC. Together, Ben and Emilia remember a young man whose wide-ranging interests were driven by his curiosity.

Nikolas was born in Poprad, Slovakia, and was a dual citizen of Slovakia and the United States. He spoke English, Slovak, and Czech, and encouraged others to learn different languages. At CFCC, he studied engineering and planned to transfer to NC State. Eventually, he hoped to earn a Ph.D.

“He loved the idea of being an astronaut, which is why he wanted to get into astroengineering. He wanted to go to space,” Ben said.

A life centered on others

Nikolas was deeply devoted to his friends and was often the first person to show up when someone needed help.

“A lot of the people who spent time with us, and still do, came from backgrounds where they didn’t have the same family support and cohesion that he did,” Ben said. “He was always willing to welcome them in and make them feel like they were part of our family.”

His interest in service also led him to DeMolay, a Masonic-sponsored international youth leadership organization, where he served as master counselor of the local chapter. He was interested in joining Bikers Against Child Abuse to help protect children.

Nikolas unexpectedly passed away in 2024. For Ben and Emilia, finding a way to honor their son meant carrying forward the qualities that had made him who he was. That led them to establish the Nikolas Sorensen Endowed Scholarship at CFCC shortly after they returned to work after grieving his loss.

“I was sitting in my office the day before his birthday,” Ben said. “We had been back for about a week and a half, and it was a Friday. I remember going to talk to Logan in the Foundation. I don’t know what made me do it right then, other than knowing his birthday was the next day.”

The scholarship is designated for CFCC engineering students with financial need.

“That part was very important,” Emilia said. “It needs to go to somebody who needs it. Niki always looked out for people who were less fortunate than he was.”

Community Support

The family has been working to build the scholarship through a wide range of fundraising efforts. Local businesses, colleagues, family, and friends have all contributed. Emilia has even been making jewelry and crocheting purses to raise money.

“There have been so many different ways people have come together to support us, and the community support has been incredible,” Emilia said.

Keeping his spirit alive

The scholarship is one part of the family’s larger hope to honor Nikolas. Eventually, they would like to establish a nonprofit in his name to support causes that mattered to him, including foster homes, shelters, and other organizations.

“We want to keep his spirit alive,” Emilia said. “Niki was charitable throughout his life, and he truly lived that way. That’s why I hope people understand what this scholarship is about. While he’s not here physically, his spirit and his generosity can live on through this scholarship.”

The first Nikolas Sorensen Endowed Scholarship is expected to be awarded in fall 2027.

“For anyone who receives the scholarship, I just hope they go beyond their dreams. Go wild. Live the life you want to live. Make a change. Make it to space,” Emilia said.