SUMMER 2022
THE MAGAZINE
the
parent guide
Dear Parents,
published by Olivet a special issue of Olivet The Magazine de, Gui nt Pare 2 202 the to e com Wel igating the college igned specifically to assist you in nav des is e issu s Thi ity. vers Uni e aren Naz will help you evaluate ent and to provide information that stud r you e gsid alon cess pro ch sear all aspects of university life. college search process ty is a very important decision. The ersi univ or ege coll t righ the g osin Cho we hope you find this ming and even stressful at times, so nsu e-co tim , ated plic com , vast be can embark on this journey and reassuring. We also hope you g irin insp ful, use , tive rma info e issu goodness of God at you are surprised by the grace and that and ent item exc of se sen a with many stops along the way. including the whole lding on the good work of parents and bui y full faith in eve beli we et, Oliv At ease in wisdom and r goal is that ONU students will incr Ou . cess pro ent ollm enr the in ily fam thriving relationship ry Olivet student will have a deep, eve that e hop also We . faith in w gro and souls in preparing that you have invested your hearts and erst und We ist. Chr s Jesu with responsibility of moment, and we take our calling and this for men and en wom ng you e thes e” seriously. “Education With a Christian Purpos my wife and I were you. It wasn’t too many years ago that for ing pray am I that w kno se Plea your names or faces his Olivet future. I may not know into ght insi gain son own our ing help Please schedule a time in the weeks and months to come. you of y man t mee to e hop I but yet, visit or for one of the fall for either a personalized campus or mer sum this pus cam our t visi to many Purple & Gold Days events. ing you to explore an wisdom: God has a purpose in lead e som you with re sha me let , ally Fin rt, and lean not on , “Trust in the Lord with all your hea says re ptu Scri The on. cati edu et Oliv ll direct your paths” r ways acknowledge Him, and He sha you all in ing; and erst und own r you (Proverbs 3:5–6 NK JV). er where you are in the if I can be of any assistance. No matt out h reac to itate hes not do se Plea you should you have is with you in spirit and available to nity mu com et Oliv re enti the , cess pro questions at any point. Sincerely, Gregg Chenoweth, Ph.D. University President
GREGG CHENOWETH ’90, Ph.D., has been president of Olivet Nazarene University since 2021. As an Olivet alumnus, former faculty member, former dean, former vice president for academic
affairs and parent of an alumnus, Dr. Chenoweth implicitly understands the value of Christian higher education. He has published works in more than 30 media outlets and is the author of the book, Everyday Discernment: The Art of Cultivating Spirit-Led Leadership, through The Foundry Press.
ON THE COVER: Selfies rule the day as graduates prepare to receive their diplomas during the 109th Commencement Ceremony in the Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel.
SUMMER 2022 OLIVET THE MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Office of Marketing and Engagement under the direction of the Vice President for Institutional Advancement. VOLUME 91 ISSUE 3 (USPS 407-880) (ISSN 2325-7334) Copyright ©2022 Olivet Nazarene University One University Avenue Bourbonnais, IL 60914-2345 800-648-1463 PRESIDENT Dr. Gregg Chenoweth ‘90/M.A./Ph.D. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Dr. David J. Pickering ’89/’94 MBA/D.B.A. VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT Mark Reddy ’95/’08 M.O.L. VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT Jason Stephens M.A. VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Dr. Brian Allen ’82/’05 Litt.D. VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Dr. Stephen Lowe ’88/M.A./Ph.D. EDITORIAL BOARD Dr. Brian Allen ’82/’05 Litt.D. Dr. Brian W. Parker ’93/’11 Ed.D. for 989 Group George Wolff ’93 for 989 Group Lauren Beatty ’13 Erinn Proehl ’13/’19 MBA ART DIRECTION George Wolff ’93 for 989 Group DESIGN Matt Moore ’96 for 989 Group Donnie Johnson Rebecca Huber ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTO EDITING Thomas Dinkleman ’18
IN THIS ISSUE 4
OLIVET NEWS Headlines From Campus and Beyond
8
THE PARENT GUIDE Perspective From Top Academics
18
THE INTERVIEW A Chat With Mark Reddy
24
MAKING THE MOST OF COLLEGE Opportunities To Get Involved
PHOTOGRAPHY Jones Foto, Image Group, Mark Ballogg, Joe Mantarian ’16, Austin Siscoe ’17, Kelli Neal ’22, Eric Decker Additional photography submitted EDITORIAL SUPPORT AND DESIGN Adam Asher ’01/’07 M.O.L. for 989 Group, Alicia (Gallagher) Guertin ’14, Rebecca Huber, Andrew Perabeau ’20, Austin Siscoe ’17, Heather (Kinzinger) Shaner ’98 STUDENT SUPPORT Morgan Connor ’24, Skyler Blanton ’23. Brenna Johnson ’23, Kelli Neal ’22, Raegan Pedersen ’22, Madison Thompson ’23 Periodicals postage paid at the Bourbonnais, Illinois, Post Office and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster, send address changes to: Editor, Olivet The Magazine Olivet Nazarene University One University Avenue Bourbonnais, IL 60914-2345 Reproduction of material without written permission is prohibited. News, events and announcements are printed at the discretion of the editorial board. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent Olivet Nazarene University policy.
let’s connect Olivet has fans in every corner of the globe. A great way to stay connected is through Olivet social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter. We even have a special Facebook group devoted to parents.
NEWS
ONU MARKETING
Olivet Receives Rankings in U.S. News 2022 Best Colleges Report Olivet has received rankings and recognition in five unique categories in the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges Report — including a top 10 ranking as a Best Value School for Regional Universities in the Midwest. Olivet has also been recognized among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest, as a Top Performer on Social Mobility for Regional Universities Midwest, as a Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and as a Best Undergraduate Engineering Program for national non-doctoral engineering programs. These rankings took into consideration various factors, including retention and graduation rates, faculty and financial resources, student excellence and alumni engagement. For more than 30 years, the U.S. News rankings and advice have served as a valuable consumer reference. The annual report provides nearly 50 different types of numerical rankings and lists to help students narrow their college search. This third-party endorsement provides clarity for prospective students as they go through the college search process.
4 OLIVET.EDU
NEWS
MARK BALLOGG
Walker School of STEM Receives Engineering Education Award Olivet Nazarene University was one of seven universities that received the $10,000 Engineering Education Award this spring from the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). Last summer, staff of Logan Nazarene Campground in Hocking Hills, Ohio, contacted the Walker School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics for help with campground improvements. Four Olivet students, including Hannah Taggart, Miles VanderKlok, Nathan Hart and Michael Hill, teamed up with associate professor Quentin S. Ragan to tackle the project as part of the required senior design course for engineering students. During the academic year, the team worked to develop a cost-effective and sound structural plan for a new cabin design that respected project constraints including size parameters, ADA compliance, capacity and plumbing needs. “Before this, I had never gone through the full process of designing a building,” Nathan said. “It incorporated so much from many classes all in one project. This helped me get a much better understanding of what I have learned before in classes and gave me more insight in how a building is designed and constructed.” This spring, following approval from the campground and Olivet faculty, the team submitted the completed cabin design to NCEES to be considered for the Engineering Education Award. In June, the team was informed that they received the $10,000 award, which will be used in the University’s Department of Engineering.
OLIVET.EDU
5
NEWS
Olivet Welcomes Jason Stephens, New VP for Student Development
School of Education: $854K Early Childhood Consortium Grant
Following an extensive nationwide search, this spring Olivet announced the appointment of Jason Stephens as the vice president for student development, effective Aug. 1, 2022.
Olivet Nazarene University’s School of Education was recently approved for the Early Childhood Consortium Grant of $854,582 through the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE). The ECACE was created to address the shortage of qualified early childhood professionals in the state of Illinois.
In this role, he will be responsible for providing leadership and oversight for all non-academic student activities, including athletics, community life, campus recreation, residential life, counseling and health services, multiethnic student services, and spiritual development. Jason is slated to complete a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Indiana State University. He holds a master’s degree in higher education from Geneva College and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana Wesleyan University.
SUBMITTED
6 OLIVET.EDU
During the 2021–2022 academic year, seven early childhood education students at Olivet received the ECACE scholarship to attend the University for free. The grant money will now assist the University’s School of Education in converting its programs to an online format and in recruiting new traditional undergraduate and adult learners. This grant program provides upward mobility for a workforce that often faces economic barriers to accessing higher education. For more information about Olivet’s School of Education, visit Olivet.edu/Education.
JONES FOTO
NEWS
Hathaway Publishes Mathematical Devotional Dr. Dale K. Hathaway, associate dean of the Walker School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and professor of mathematics, has authored a daily devotional book, Mathematical Devotionals (Kharis Publishing). Mathematical Devotionals serves as a guide to connect Christianity with mathematics through a year’s worth of inspirational prompts and meditations. Each devotional is self-contained, including Scripture verses and an image. The devotionals fall into four categories: the connection between mathematics and the Christian faith; short biographies of Christian mathematicians; quotes from mathematicians or related to mathematics; and the use of logical reasoning as a form of Christian apologetics. Mathematical Devotionals is available wherever books are sold.
KHARIS PUBLISHING
LA Film Studies Each year, Olivet Nazarene University students have the opportunity to study in Los Angeles for a semester s part of a Council for Christian Colleges and Universities GlobalEd program. Twelve Olivet students flew to the Hollywood Hills this spring. While in Los Angeles, students attend the Los Angeles Film Studies Center (LAFSC), where they are able to gain filmmaking experience and knowledge from professionals within the film industry. Students learn through classwork, on-the-job training, professional projects and class discussion, and they walk away with résumé credentials. “I will leave the semester having written a feature-length script and worked on several short films,” senior film major Kelli Neal said. “I will also have a writing credit and a directing credit on two separate festival-eligible short films.” Read the full story at Olivet.edu/News.
SUBMITTED
OLIVET.EDU
7
8 OLIVET.EDU
There is no shortage of options when you’re trying to help your child choose where to pursue higher education. The real challenge is finding the right place — the college or university where your student will thrive. Our Parent Guide serves as a handy guidebook, providing some nice-to-know specifics about Olivet Nazarene University.
OLIVET.EDU
9
success imagined Developing academic, emotional, spiritual and social students is the goal of Olivet as a higherlearning institution. This complete educational experience or success happens not in one area of the classroom but throughout the campus and in the community. To achieve this type of success, students must become involved and engaged. They must lean and jump in as well as take risks and seek opportunities. These actions enhance education, develop competence, define character and create leadership opportunities for a diverse and ever-changing world. As your student dreams beyond the high school graduation stage, imagine for a moment what a successful transition to higher education looks like.
10 OLIVET.EDU
Dreams can become a reality with intentionality, hard work and seizing opportunities. Let’s intellectually and constructively imagine life for your student. Imagine having effective organization skills. What works for one student may not work for another, so trial and error is OK. Once an organizational system is found, stay organized and balance responsibilities. Get in a routine of keeping close tabs on due dates for assignments and projects to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Having a planner system dedicated to schoolwork can be useful and assist in planning ahead so that you have enough time to study for quizzes and exams and complete larger projects.
Imagine success with time management skills that can help you stay on top of your workload without feeling overwhelmed or defeated. Time management will allow you the ability to complete as many assignments as possible with the least amount of stress. You don’t have to study all day, but chip away at assignments — even if it’s only 20 minutes. Remember to organize your thoughts, make an outline and review vocabulary terms to maximize your writing sessions. Imagine the ability to work with others by collaborating with classmates and peers. This actually prepares you for the realities of the real world and the workplace. It’s not always easy working in groups, but working on your collaboration skills can make the process go more smoothly. Adversity is inevitable, but figuring out ways to effectively work against it helps to get the job completed. Imagine making friends within your degree program so that you will have support and accountability — whether it’s studying for tests or swapping stories about the highs and lows of college life. You’ll have someone to rely on for help when needed and possibly make coursework more enjoyable when you have someone you can relate to — and maybe, just maybe, you will find someone that will be a friend for life.
Imagine a curiosity to learn more, gaining more knowledge and skills. Be thirsty and curious to learn as much as possible. Try new things and ask questions whenever you can. Take risks and step outside your comfort zone to do as much as possible to grow and learn.
embraced, and our humanity is celebrated in unity. Being open to getting to know people as individuals will break down barriers and debunk misconceptions. This can help our students become better global Kingdom citizens, where we all experience a little bit of Heaven here on Earth.
Imagine being intentional in having a positive mindset. It’s OK to feel a bit nervous before starting school and even during the school year, but if you give too much attention to those negative thoughts, they can overwhelm you, preventing you from reaching your potential. Negative thought patterns can increase stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. Reframing your worries and negative thoughts and embracing a more positive mindset can increase resilience and help you bring your best effort to your education.
Finally, imagine praying for the success of your college experience as you face obstacles and work to overcome them. When you embrace the importance of prayer in your life, you can overcome anything and be successful. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight”(NIV).
Imagine confidence in yourself. Believe in yourself and say to yourself, “I’ve got this!” and “I can do this!” You don’t have to be perfect to have a successful college experience. You have to believe that you can persevere with determination and confidence that you have what it takes to earn your degree. You do belong here, and be sure to convince yourself of that.
Booker T. Washington once said, “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” Unlock the key to successful college living by praying, planning and participating at Olivet. Can you imagine that?
Imagine a community that is diverse and rich with fascinating classmates, where differences are honored as well as
Dr. Cynthia V. Taylor ’08 M.A. is a licensed professional counselor. She specializes in mood disorders,
anxiety, self-esteem, grief and adjustment issues. In 2013, Dr. Taylor was asked to lead Olivet’s Multiethnic
Student Services as the executive director. In this role, she gives leadership to events and activities that
highlight cultural uniqueness while encouraging unity in the Body of Christ. Dr. Taylor is married to Dr. Joel
D. Taylor, who pastors two churches in the Chicagoland area. She takes pride in being a mother of two adult
children, a mother-in-love and a grandmother of one.
OLIVET.EDU
11
deep faith Politics can be brutal. Battles between Democrats and Republicans can be every bit as contentious as the Packers’ defensive line going up against the Bears’ offensive line or as intense as Ariarne Titmus competing against Katie Ledecky in the 2021 Olympics. And yet, Olivet is consistently sending young women and men into politics dedicated to advancing God’s Kingdom and bringing a little Biblical justice to the battlefield of Washington, D.C., and beyond. Consider these four examples. Daryl went to Mexico to work with a large human rights organization that frees young women and girls from human trafficking. Scott started a nonprofit that created a local currency (a food token) to feed the hungry in D.C. and Baltimore. Natalie works for a
12 OLIVET.EDU
AND THE F I N E ST S C H O LA R S H I P
nonprofit that advances democracy and good governance throughout Africa and Asia. Amanda is studying law at Wake Forest, where she has a goal of using her law degree to serve communities facing socioeconomic barriers. How did these four young adults begin to make a difference in politics? They got it. Each of these young women and men immersed themselves in Christian higher education and caught wind of a different way — the way of Jesus. Christian higher education captured their hearts, transformed their minds and captivated their imaginations. Each wanted to make a difference for Christ in the world. They asked how God might use them for His purposes in this world.
Why Christian higher education? Allow me to answer that question with a question: What if you could get a degree plus? What if you could not only get the finest scholarship, but you could also have the space to determine God’s direction for your life? What if you could discover how God might use you to transform the world for Christ? This is what Olivet offers you: the opportunity to discover and lean into the path God has for you. What if faith and scholarship could shape an entire university’s curriculum? One crucial question about higher education in today’s postmodern world: Which worldview is shaping higher education? Education is not neutral, according to
many educational theorists. Some type of perspective or ideology shapes all educational inquiry. In Christian higher education, Jesus Christ and His Kingdom are preeminent. Christian faith shapes higher education at Olivet. Classes begin with prayer, and the Christian faith is integrated into each discipline — from accounting to zoology. Who you become is closely connected to the paradigm that shapes your education. A Biblical or some other perspective will shape the person you will be and the way you will live for decades to come. At Olivet, you’ll have the opportunity to deepen your faith, build your perspective and develop a servant’s heart. What type of person would you like to be when you graduate? So much of the answer to that question falls upon 18-to22-year-olds’ shoulders. In Christian higher education, you are nurtured — in community and with Godly mentors — into becoming a disciple of Jesus who follows His Spirit into a broken and dying world. At Olivet, you can catch a glimpse of the way of Jesus, or what Duke University ethicist Dr. Stanley Hauerwas calls the “in-breaking Kingdom of God.” You will be challenged to become a part of His reconciling work. You will join other late teens and 20-somethings being shaped
into young women and men who will not only see things differently in their future vocations but also be passionate about Biblical justice where there is no justice and healing where there is great suffering. Christian higher education nurtures students into becoming Kingdom people — reconciling agents — who ask, “How can I live with open palms, seeking to share the blessings that God has given me with those who are hurting?” At its finest, Christian higher education deepens students’ insights and equips them with the skills to engage the culture for Christ. Students are challenged to be countercultural in so many ways and then inspired to transform the culture for Christ. In so doing, students begin to live out of the center of God’s will for their lives. At a Christian college, you can not only discover your purpose, but you can also wrestle with connecting that purpose to the world’s needs. Frederick Buechner, writer and theologian, eloquently stated, “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”
Christian University, captured this insight: “Christian higher education ought not be an effort in cocoon-building, seeking to hide us from the harsh realities of the present world. Rather, Christian higher education should be an effort in raising up peacemakers, those whose task is a harvest of righteousness.” The letters “B.A.” or “B.S.” will be attached to your name for decades to come. The experience of being saturated in a Christian environment for four years can deepen you into becoming a transforming influence in your job, a listening ear to those who are suffering and a willing servant committed to bringing God’s Kingdom to this world. Much of higher education today is dedicated to self-interest, having a good time or strategizing to monetize your skill sets. What if your education could transform you so that you could become the person God knit you together to be when you were in your mother’s womb? Daryl, Scott, Natalie and Amanda found their callings at Olivet. Now, it’s your turn. Are you open to the transformative possibilities of a Christian higher education?
Christian higher education prepares students to be agents of reconciliation by nurturing their hearts and minds to become salt and light in a broken and dying world. Dr. John Bernbaum, founding president of Russian-American
DR. DAVID VAN HEEMST ’96 M.P.C./’98 M.A. is a leading political scientist, historian, author, researcher
and professor at Olivet. In a 10-year period, he authored five books, including Empowering the Poor: Why Justice Requires School Choice; Herman Dooyeweerd and Eric Voegelin: A Comparative Study; Hope in
Troubled Times: A New Vision for Confronting Global Crises; Splashing in Puddles: How to Be a Father to Your
Daughter; and College: What’s the Point? Embracing the Mystery of the Kingdom in a Postmodern World. In 2013,
he received Olivet’s Samuel L. Mayhugh Award for Scholarly Excellence. His other Olivet awards include the Richard M. Jones Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence and the Second Mile Award.
OLIVET.EDU
13
knowledge and insight WISDOM AND DIRECTION A group of theatre professionals from around the world sat in a small theatre with an emerging playwright from New York City. Our task was to help workshop a new script. The facilitator guided the group with wisdom — ensuring that our focus was on the story that was being told rather than on the storytellers in the room who wanted to be heard. It was this same group that was asked the question, “Are you familiar with Aristotle’s Poetics and how it applies to theatre arts?” I looked around the room, assuming everyone could also recite Aristotle’s definition of a tragedy. The question was asked again: “What are the elements of a story on stage according to Aristotle?” In my mind, I repeated what professor Jerry Cohagan taught me years before at Olivet: “A tragedy is the imitation of an action. …” And then I continued with the chanting from class replaying over and over again in my mind: “plot, character, theme, diction, music, spectacle.”
14 OLIVET.EDU
I looked around the room, and everyone was shaking their heads, unaware of these foundational elements. I raised my hand and answered what had been embedded in my mind. My colleagues were knowledgeable and had professional training I didn’t at that point. But I gained confidence realizing that, at Olivet, I had been given everything I needed. The difference was my liberal arts education had prioritized faith and saw theatre as a rigorous academic venture more than just an extracurricular. Olivet’s theatre program equips students by giving them well-rounded curriculum. And with faith as our priority, students have what they need to be set apart, both personally and professionally, in the world. It’s because of my Western civilization class that I was able to write a play about women who were pilots in World War II. It’s because of my music appreciation, jazz combo and literature courses that I
was able to compose a jazz adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. It’s because of my scriptwriting class that I was able to hone my writing skills as a playwright. It’s because of my education at Olivet that I was able to make connections with fellow students who would later, as alumni, help me bring to life Olivet’s first original musical. And it’s because of my biology courses and the standard of professionalism that was enhanced in me at Olivet that I would be invited to meet Alan Alda and introduce him at a colloquium where he spoke on the art of communicating science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. At the colloquium, Alan discussed the content of his book If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating. In an interview with The Atlantic, he summed it up: “I could see that when scientists were in conversation, they could make
science in a personal way. ... But if they did not have someone like me pulling it out of them in a personal way, there was a tendency to slip into lecture mode. I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be an interesting idea to train scientists to be good communicators while we train them to be scientists?’” This inspired an idea for ONU Theatre. Last fall, ONU Theatre and the ONU School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics brought that idea to life. With Dr. José Manjarrés, a robotics professor, and Dr. Nicole Vander Schaaf, a biology professor, we dreamed up an experience for children to be inspired to learn more about science and technology. Our original play, Detective Holmes, was the collaboration of the three academic areas. Our lead character must solve a crime and, while doing so, she learns about DNA, fingerprinting and basic
coding for robots. As a part of ONU Theatre’s New Works Program, Detective Holmes was a movement for cross-departmental projects that emphasize our strengths as a liberal arts institution and our priority to be mission-focused. When we realize that mathematicians, scientists, philosophers, artists and theatre professionals look to the same scholar, Aristotle, for knowledge and insight, we may see how our different departments can complement one another. And when we see these same professionals looking to one Savior, Jesus Christ, for wisdom and direction, we realize that our mission is the same.
ASHLEY ELIZABETH SARVER ’15/’18 MBA is a Dove Award-nominated director and playwright.
She earned the terminal Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree in directing at the University of North
Carolina at Greensboro, where she was the recipient of the 2020 Graduate Faculty Performance Award.
Her thesis production explored the Aristotelian element of music to help a 21st-century audience better
understand Shakespeare’s The Tempest. She composed all the jazz music for the production in addition to
directing. She was also the assistant director for an industry reading of a new musical for Broadway producers
at Playwrights Horizons in New York City. In 2018, professor Sarver wrote two full-length plays and one full-length
musical, which originated from an Atlantic World Research Network grant that funded travel and research for writing
and producing.
OLIVET.EDU 15
tiger fever
Winning Championships. Developing Champions. That’s more than just a slogan; it’s a guiding force in Tiger Athletics. Coaches strive to build character on the court as well as in the classroom.
Among the 2021–2022 season highlights: 14 Tiger teams competed for NAIA and Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships; seven coaches received conference coach of the year honors; and Olivet finished 14th in the NAIA LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings. The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup is a national ranking system established by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and USA Today. Ranking is based on finishes in NAIA Championships.
ONU ATHLETICS
world travelers A global worldview is a clear advantage of an Olivet education. Students have countless annual opportunities for world travel, including mission trips, study-abroad programs and internships.
SUBMITTED
Just two weeks into his assignment as the newly appointed vice president for enrollment management, Mark Reddy ’95/’18 M.O.L. sat down with Olivet The Magazine’s George Wolff ’93 to chat about his work at the University.
Mark, thanks for doing this with us today. The interview is a feature of Olivet The Magazine and our readers have come to really enjoy it. The first one was with Dr. Gregg Chenoweth, and you are now the second installment of the interview. So share with us a little bit about your story. You’re an Olivet alumnus. Tell us a little bit about that. I grew up in the Nazarene Church, and one of the most important things to me was athletics — playing football — and Olivet had a football team. I had some family that were alumni, and it just seemed like a great fit. So I came with the idea of being a football player, and everything else that Olivet offered me just enhanced the experience. I met my wife here; some of my best friends to this day are people that I met when I was a student. I just had an amazing experience. I was a history education major, and I did the typical football player thing: Go to school to be a coach and teach history. And I did that for a number of years. I was having a lot of success with that experience, and my path started to change a little bit. I found myself as a head football coach and a dean of students at a school in Indiana. At that time, the head football coach at Olivet, Brian Fish, called me and said, “Hey, would you think about coming back and coaching?” 18 OLIVET.EDU
My wife and I had always said that we’d love to get back to Olivet. We didn’t know how that would happen. So I accepted the position, came back as a football coach and coached for three seasons here, and then made a transition into the admissions office. At that time, I was working financial aid, and it was kind of a crazy path. But it was a God thing. Speaking of family, two of your four daughters are at Olivet, right? Yes! My oldest daughter, Madison, will be a senior. She’s majoring in ministry. And my second daughter, Tatum, will be a sophomore majoring in child development. Tell me a little bit about being on the enrollment side when your daughters were looking at Olivet. What was that experience like for you? It was a great experience. When I started in enrollment, they were young and I was learning the importance of Olivet. I had a knowledge of it in my mind, and I understood how to articulate that to people. But when I started thinking about my own children coming here, it kind of went to my heart, and I was able to understand it even greater as a parent.
I remember that transition taking place and being able to say to other parents, “Listen, I want to tell you about all the great things that Olivet can offer you. But I also want to tell you what it feels like as a parent to send your children to Olivet.” It changed the way that I approached recruiting because I wanted to make sure that what I was telling people was 100% accurate and that the experience their child would have is the actual experience. I knew that I wanted Olivet to be a great university for my own kids. And if it met that standard, which it certainly did, then I could easily talk to other families about that. What are your dreams for your daughters at Olivet? My dream for both my daughters is just that they would let God unlock the passions of their heart and that they would do His will in their lives. That can look a bunch of different ways. My oldest daughter has changed her major three or four times, and each time she’s had a great rationale and she’s talked about the path that God would lead her down. I think she’s landed on ministry, and she feels real strongly about that. My younger daughter, she just recently landed on child development. And I love that they are finding what they love to do, but they’re also filtering it through how they can do something they love and impact God’s Kingdom. That is my OLIVET.EDU
19
biggest desire for them: that while they’re at Olivet, they unlock those passions and they find the path — at least the beginning, because the path could change. I was a football coach. Now I’m a vice president. My path I got on was ultimately to do God’s will. And then He led me down this crazy, fun journey. I just want that same thing for them. Talk about the importance of visiting colleges, but specifically talk about what an Olivet visit looks like during a senior year for a parent. We feel like one of the most important things you can do in the admissions process is visit the school, get on the campus, see the people and see what it is that you’re going to be involved in. We encourage our students to come to visit. The visit day allows them to connect with a lot of different people on campus — with counselors, with financial aid people, with professors, coaches, other students — and they get a feel for the campus and what it’s like. What we find is families and students come away saying, “The people here are special.” As students come and interact, they say, “Wow! This person was really nice!” [or] “I met this professor, and they talked to me about an area that I didn’t even know I loved. But now that’s what I want to study.” [or] “This is the place I want to continue my athletic career.” Students then can say, “Oh, I see myself connecting to that university. Now it’s not just a place. Now it’s not just a major I’m thinking about. It’s me on that campus with those people connecting at Olivet.” It’s so important to get on a campus. We love when people come to visit because, again, it gives us a chance to tell the story.
20 OLIVET.EDU
Talk to us a little bit about the Pacific Rim Initiative. To stay competitive in the market of higher education, you have to start looking for areas that might be underrepresented or under-recruited, and that was an area that we identified: the Pacific Rim, which includes Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and American Samoa. We’ve had a lot of success recruiting there. The thing that we have found is that the Pacific Rim area is an area that values a Christian experience. When we said, hey, we’ve got a university that can offer you that and all of these academic offerings, all of these extracurricular offerings, it just resonated. We had 23 Pacific Rim students on our campus last fall. We will have upwards of 60 joining us this fall. We have created a great support system at Olivet so that when students are coming from that far away, they have people to connect — people that can answer questions for them. They have a go-to person. Help them get acclimated to life here. This isn’t Alaska. Totally! You know, the weather in February in Hawaii is a little different than it is at Olivet — so just things like acclimating them to the environment but also just the environment of a university, which is a difficult transition for anyone. We’re seeing some demographic groups not choose college. You have an entire team committed to helping resource first-generation college students. For example, the Hispanic community is really rising up and choosing college, and Olivet seems to be a great fit. Tell us about the team committed to helping these students adjust on campus.
We have a plan to reach the Spanish-speaking community called Aspira, and we have an entire team committed to their recruitment. But also, and this is probably the key piece, we offer a support system when students come. It’s one thing to say we have all of this to offer to you and then bring students to campus, and they look around and they’re like, “OK, how do I fit here?” We also have built a support system so that when there are needs that are specific to a demographic, we can provide answers. We can come alongside these students and help them identify obstacles that they can get over. You’ve got three words that you think about all the time, that you mentioned quite a bit. What are the three words and why do they drive you? The words are hungry, humble and smart, and, actually, this goes back to my coaching background. There is a book called The Ideal Team Player, and it recognizes that to be a great team player, you need to have equal elements of being hungry, humble and smart. I love that because I think if I’m trying to be the best me for the team, then the team is going to grow. So we’ve tried to create this culture where I work as hard as I can; that’s the hunger aspect. I’m understanding how my actions will impact those around me, whether it’s words or actions. That’s the smart part. The humble side of it is there is no job that I’m going to do during the course of the workday that is beneath me. One of the things that we talked about at the beginning of the recruitment cycle is what we do is hard. It’s a grind. It is difficult. We decided that if we were going to do this, we’re going to make sure that God was in it. The verse that we were hanging our hats on is “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain” [Psalm 127:1].
Tell me: Why Olivet? I think Olivet is a great place for people to unlock passions, to have a transforming experience. So often when I talk to families and they’re trying to figure out where to go to school, they love Olivet. It resonates with them: the Christian environment, filtering things through Christ. But often they’ll say they think they need to go to a bigger school for their goals down the road. My response to that is you don’t have to sacrifice a Christian education to have some form of education. You can come here and be influenced by Godly people, challenged by Godly people, get an education that’s going to propel you into any arena that you want. We have a very impressive long list of alumni that have done amazing things by any standard. When you talk to them, they talk about the people and the transformational time they had at Olivet through relationships and building a knowledge of Christ. I think that’s what you get at Olivet. You don’t have to sacrifice; you get the whole package. Olivet remains relevant now because it’s training students to fulfill what they love to do — but do that for a bigger purpose. What we’re trying to do is equip students to find something that they’re passionate about and then go out and give back to others. It’s almost countercultural to what we’re hearing. So they’re not just looking to go into a job that’s going to make them successful. They’re going into jobs that they love, and they’re making a difference pouring back into communities and into other people.
This interview has been edited and condensed for print. To watch the full interview, including some insider information about Mark, scan this code: OLIVET.EDU
21
finding their path THREE TRANSFER STUDENTS MAKE THEIR WAY TO OLIVET Each year, more than 110 students transfer to Olivet to complete their college education. Last fall, the diverse group of incoming transfer students represented 19 states and four countries. The Office of Admissions has a dedicated team of professionals who work exclusively with prospective transfer students to provide a smooth transition from one college experience to the next. Olivet offers competitive transfer scholarships and, on average, 92% of students’ credits transfer to the University. For more information, visit Olivet.edu/transfer.
22 OLIVET.EDU
Madison Overly
Brooklen Lewis
Jan Lomahan
“Before transferring to Olivet, I attended Illinois State University. I thought that a big state school was a good fit, but, truthfully, I was forcing myself to fit in the mold. My sophomore year, I heard God calling me to transfer. I kept hearing the words ‘lean into Me’ and ‘go.’
“I first went to a local community college because I wanted to get my general education courses out of the way before transferring and finishing at a four-year university. I always knew I wanted to be in federal law enforcement, and going to a community college first helped me establish connections that will benefit me in the future.
“I attended Clarks Summit University in Pennsylvania before transferring to Olivet. I considered transferring colleges in search of a strong criminal justice program where I felt I could be equipped with the appropriate tools while maintaining a spiritual component throughout my time at a university.
“The transfer process to Olivet was very easy. Everyone in the Office of Admissions worked hard to make sure I had everything I needed in order to transfer smoothly and successfully. I knew Olivet would be a great fit when I took a campus tour. I loved how beautiful the campus was and, just walking around, people were so kind. The JumpStart program at the beginning of the year was a great way to get connected and acquainted with people who are in the same stage of life. It helped me to be more comfortable in the first couple weeks by getting to know people and finding my way around campus.
“Transferring to Olivet was one of the easiest choices I have made. As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt the peace of God and knew that this is where He wanted me to take my next steps. Everyone in the Office of Admissions was so friendly and hospitable. All my classes transferred in smoothly, and my transfer counselor helped me out immensely with which classes I had to take when I got there.
Hometown: Huntley, Illinois Major: English Education Minor: English as a Second Language (ESL)
“One day while driving on the highway, I asked God if I should stay at ISU or go, and right after I asked, I was cut off by a green van with the word ‘go’ written on the trunk. It was the biggest God moment I have ever experienced, and it led to many more. I applied to two smaller Christian universities and was in the process of transferring to one when the door suddenly closed. I became confused, wondering if maybe I wasn’t supposed to transfer. Through some family friends (and my mom) who are alumni, I was encouraged to visit Olivet. Once on campus, I immediately felt at home and, less than a month before classes started, I applied. “I immediately connected with the head of the English department, Dr. Beth Schurman, who not only helped me feel comfortable in my ability to be successful at Olivet; she showed genuine interest in getting to know me as an individual. After just one week at Olivet, I made friends in my class, connected with other girls on the transfer floor, and got involved on campus as a fitness instructor and in various music ensembles. “To someone considering transferring schools, I would say, ‘You are so brave!’ Transferring can often be a very daunting thing to do because it requires you to look at your own needs and goals while simultaneously preparing to adjust to a new environment. Although the process requires a bit of work and not everything may work out perfectly, once you have found the program and community that you best fit into, the rest won’t matter.”
Hometown: Olathe, Kansas Major: Criminal Justice Minor: Business
“One highlight from my time at Olivet has been playing intramural sports. It is a super-easy way to get involved, and being on a team with your friends is so much fun. My team was even the intramural kickball champions one season! Also, Ollies Follies at the beginning of the year is so much fun and an awesome way to get connected with people from every grade. “My suggestion for prospective college students is to explore all of your options and make sure that what you are choosing is the best fit for you. Think beyond academics. Consider career connections for your major, the type of people that attend, the area in which you are living and if you feel comfortable on campus. College is more than an education; it’s an experience. So if you aren’t comfortable with where you are at, find the best fit for you.”
Hometown: Hagerstown, Maryland Major: Criminal Justice Minor: Sociology
“Today, I have connected at Olivet as a student ambassador in the admissions office. My passion is to help every student I come into contact with to have the same experience I did when I first came here! In past semesters, I served on the Associated Student Council as a class representative [and as] a resident assistant for the Olde Oak Apartments and have participated in intramurals. “For anyone who is interested in transferring colleges, I would highly recommend visiting the campus in person and feeling it out. Talk to some professors in your area of study and gauge their passion for what they do. Talk to the students and how they like their school. You will be attending this college to attain a degree in a field in which you will spend more than 60% of your life! Make sure that the education the institution provides is equipping you not only for an occupation but how to live a life glorifying Christ and excelling in your field.”
OLIVET.EDU
23
making
the most of college
Believing and belonging are critical in the formation of young adults as they prepare for lives of service to God and humanity, and while the University seeks to shape its community, that community continually shapes the culture of the University. After all, a campus community is only as strong as the individuals who comprise the group.
24 OLIVET.EDU
In 1999, Olivet’s marketing office added an unofficial tagline to traditional undergraduate recruiting materials: “We believe. You belong here.” The phrase simply reframed Olivet’s mission of providing an “Education With a Christian Purpose” by connecting the University’s purpose and vision with its community. The tagline is more than just a catchy phrase. Olivet is a place where students can establish a sense of belonging through the blending of shared adventures and celebrated diversity. In seeking to create a vibrant campus environment, Olivet offers a wide variety of opportunities for students to grow personally, spiritually and professionally as they make the most of their college experience. Exploring Personal Faith At the core of the Olivet experience is a Christian emphasis. The student body represents more than 40 denominations and world religions and an array of faith backgrounds, but the foundation of the University remains “Education With a Christian Purpose.” Student spiritual life activities under the Office of Spiritual Development are wrapped into the Shalom Project, which seeks to inspire, empower and equip the campus community in the creative act of restoring broken relationships. Twice a week, students, faculty and staff gather in the 3,000seat Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel to participate in corporate worship and learn from renowned pastors, authors, business leaders, professional athletes, artists and other skilled guest speakers. As part of a Christian liberal arts education, Olivet students enroll in courses that unpack Scripture and Christian traditions, as they are encouraged to explore how faith relates to their lives. Faculty incorporate devotionals into their curriculum, and they become mentors as they create an environment for asking questions and seeking answers. Outside the classroom, opportunities abound for students to further their faith journeys through discipleship groups, ministry trips, student ministries and community engagement projects — all of which are integrated in the Shalom Project. The Shalom Project seeks to inspire, empower and equip the campus community in the creative act of restoring broken relationships with God, ourselves, others and creation — God’s projects as well as ours. Examples of campus ministry groups include Upper Room, a student-led weekly worship gathering; HeArt Ministry, which allows students to explore their creativity through intentional connection to Scripture; Prayer Warriors, a group that empowers and encourages community through prayer on campus; and Heart for Missions, which provides a space for students to delve into missional service. Off-campus volunteer opportunities include groups like Beyond Bars, a group that leads weekly prayer services at the Kankakee County Jail; Manna, which serves the local homeless population; Kingdom Builders, a ministry that uses building and construction projects to benefit families in Pembroke and Kankakee; and Aspire Mentoring, which partners with Youth for Christ to provide tutoring and mentoring for local middle and high school students. Students at Olivet also benefit from exposure to faith in action in different parts of the country and the world on yearly volunteer trips through the Shalom Project. These cross-cultural encounters help to expand worldviews and broaden perspectives of how other people live around the world. In the past, students have traveled to the Gulf Coast, New York, Chicago, Denver, Hawaii, Indianapolis, Los Angeles and El Paso, and around the world to countries including Argentina, Peru, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Dominican Republic, Haiti, France, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, India, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, China, Mexico, Thailand, Cambodia, Australia and Taiwan. For more information, visit ShalomProject.Olivet.edu.
Getting Involved on Campus In addition to an environment that encourages students to develop spiritually, the on-campus, residential nature of Olivet facilitates many opportunities for students to connect socially. Each semester, the Office of Student Development plans a full program of social activities across campus for students to have fun and build inclusive relationships. Olivet offers more than 90 department service clubs, organizations, multiethnic affinity associations, interest groups and honor societies to cater to the wide range of interests and passions represented in the student body. A sampling of these include Capitol Hill Gang (political science); Enactus (business); Equestrian Club; Green Room (theatre); ONU Investment Club; MuKappa (for students from international and military homes); Outdoor Adventure Club; Multiethnic Student Services (promoting diversity and inclusion through three affinity groups); Spoons 4 Forks improv comedy team; Tabletop Games Club; Society of Women Engineers; Animal Cares; and Diakonia (social work). Olivet students also enjoy a wide variety of yearly traditions and special activities, including Ollies Follies class competitions, the Costume Party, the Mr. ONU skit and talent show, plays and musicals, outdoor movies, contemporary music concerts provided by Shine.FM, and class-specific gatherings that encourage students to connect with their peers. Students also oversee the annual publication process of the Aurora yearbook. There are a multitude of additional recreational options for students to enjoy on campus. The Perry Student Life and Recreation Center houses a swimming pool, four-story climbing wall, field house, fitness facilities, study spaces and gaming areas — all of which are available for students to use for free. Olivet also boasts a robust intramural program with 20 sports offered at a variety of levels. More than 1,400 students participate in at least one intramural sport each year. Winning Championships and Developing Champions Students who want to play sports at an intercollegiate competitive level can go through the recruitment process for any of the University’s 21 varsity athletic teams or the men’s club ice hockey team. Coed sports include cheerleading and varsity and junior varsity esports. Olivet athletic teams compete nationally through affiliation in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and through conference play in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC), Mid-States Football Association and Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (for swimming). Multiple alumni have built on their college training to compete professionally with teams including the Chicago Cubs, the New York Yankees, the Chicago Fire, and USA Track and Field. The University’s teams perform at high levels athletically and in the classroom. For 12 consecutive years, Olivet’s athletics program has won the CCAC All-Sports Cup, which is based on season championships and rankings across CCAC-affiliated sports. When it comes to success in the classroom, hundreds of Olivet athletes are consistently named to the CCAC All-Academic Team. Scholarships are available for many student-athletes. For more information about the athletic recruitment process, visit ONUTigers.com. Engaging in the Arts From its inception as a liberal arts higher education institution, Olivet has supported creative growth through performances and exhibitions that feature student accomplishments in the areas of drama, art and music. ONU’s Department of Theatre produces a full season of musicals and plays ranging from Broadway favorites to Pulitzer Prize winners to original productions. Many shows are student-directed, and all productions allow for student involvement beyond the stage, including costuming, choreography, set design, set construction, sound design, lighting design and production assistant roles.
26 OLIVET.EDU
making
the most of college
The on-campus, residential nature of Olivet facilitates many opportunities for students to connect socially. Each semester, the Office of Student Development plans a full program of social activities across campus with the aim of students having fun and building inclusive relationships.
OLIVET.EDU
27
making
the most of college
A strong educational foundation sets students up for success beyond the classroom. Whether studying on or off campus, Olivet students are encouraged to pursue research projects through faculty mentorship and class activities.
28 OLIVET.EDU 42 OLIVET.EDU
Students who are interested in artistic exploration are encouraged to take elective courses within the Department of Art and Digital Media. Rotating exhibitions are displayed in gallery areas around campus throughout the year to showcase student work. There are also a variety of on-campus student photography, videography and graphic designer roles that allow students to gain work experience as they hone their craft. In an average year, more than 500 students are involved in the 20 vocal and instrumental ensembles offered at Olivet. Regardless of their major, all students who are musically inclined are encouraged to get involved. Ensembles include the Tiger Marching Band, Orpheus Choir, Jazz Band, University Orchestra, Proclamation Gospel Choir, Concert Band, Concert Singers and Sound Foundation, Olivet’s show choir. These and many other ensembles offer some merit-based scholarships. The School of Music offers a variety of performance opportunities, including annual performances of Handel’s Messiah and the holiday favorite Sounds of the Season concert. Additionally, many music ensembles travel throughout the country and around the world to minister through music. The Tiger Marching Band has performed in London, in Rome and at the U.S. Presidential Inauguration; the Concert Singers ensemble has traveled to Paraguay and Bulgaria; and Orpheus Choir has taken trips to Brazil. Expanding Horizons Through Academic Investment Most of the more than 140 areas of study at Olivet require a practical, mentored learning experience, such as clinical rotations, student teaching, job shadowing or an internship. These opportunities allow students to apply what they have learned in the classroom directly into the industry in which they are pursuing a career. Students have completed internships with companies including NASA, the Grand Rapids Museum of Art, the Mississippi Aquarium, the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Nucor Steel and Caterpillar Inc. as well as local churches, hospitals, school districts, political campaigns, nonprofit organizations and more. A strong educational foundation sets students up for success beyond the classroom. Whether studying on or off campus, Olivet students are encouraged to pursue research projects through faculty mentorship and class activities or in a more formal capacity through the University Honors Program or industry-related internships. Professors also frequently employ outstanding students as teaching assistants, notetakers and tutors. Students who are interested in exploring internationally for an extended time are encouraged to spend a semester or summer studying off campus. The University has more than 15 established partnerships with higher education institutions that promote interactive scholarship in different locations, including Honduras, Jordan, the United Kingdom, Uganda and Ecuador. These experiences encourage students to gain insight into and appreciation for the varied cultures, languages and traditions that exist elsewhere in the world. Regardless of what students choose to study, there are endless opportunities for growth while experiencing life at Olivet. The mission of the University strategically sets the vision for a higher education institution that is full of community, culture and ways to connect. We believe. You belong here.
LAUREN BEATTY ’13 is the communications manager in the Office of Marketing and adjunct professor in the Department of Communication at Olivet. She earned a Master of Arts degree in cross-cultural and
sustainable business management from the American University of Paris in 2014. Her thesis explored the
evolution of socially responsible business practices in America. In 2020, she co-founded Philo Collective, a small business offering European-inspired baked goods, yoga classes, workshops and other events.
OLIVET.EDU
29
artful science At Olivet, students encounter and learn about science and the scientific process. They develop critical thinking, analysis and communication skills. They do research, apply the scientific method and investigate. They ask questions, develop hypotheses, and collect and interpret data. They develop skills in scientific writing and presentation. Olivet is committed to preparing students for the next steps as they pursue a career in the sciences.
what to do senior year The best way for your student to prepare for college is to make the most of senior year. Your daughter or son should dig into classes. Good study habits, focused determination and solid grades are the best preparation. She or he should invest in extracurricular activities that highlight athleticism, musical talent, leadership or public service. It will be a busy year, and graduation will be here before you know it. These steps, written for your student, will help your family navigate the enrollment process and get a head start on the college experience. Ask these questions Does the college offer your major? Are there ample areas of study (in case you change majors)? Are the professors accessible in and out of the classroom? Are the professors renowned in their fields? Are the academic programs rigorous? After financial aid is awarded, how affordable is the school? How many students are in each class? Does the college have strong internship and studyabroad opportunities? What is the weather like? What defines the classroom experience? Are there added-value opportunities and services? What is the campus city or town like? Does the school provide a multicultural experience? How important is distance from home? Is the school near additional internships, jobs and culture? Does the college have on- and off-campus guidelines for living? Do you value the school’s policies regarding residential life? What arts opportunities are there? Are there sports teams to cheer on? What are all the on- and off-campus dining options? Are there fitness activities for students? Does the college offer offcampus living? What are some alumni success stories? Are academic tutoring and career counseling readily offered? What clubs, intramural sports, ministries and volunteer activities exist? Is the school a good fit for you?
32 OLIVET.EDU
fall
winter
Visit! Fall is a great time to look at the schools on your college list. The perfect time to connect with students and professors is when classes are in session. Even sit in on a class or two. Olivet’s Purple & Gold Days are ideal occasions to experience campus firsthand or virtually.
Follow up on applications. Verify with the guidance counselor that all forms are in order and have been sent.
Finalize a short list. Use the information gathered from college visits, interviews and research to determine where to apply. Compare and contrast schools on the short list to determine where they rank in priority. Stay on track with grades and activities. Colleges look at senior year, so stay focused on classes and maintain commitments to extracurricular activities. Take standardized tests. Register for and take the ACT, SAT or SAT Subject Tests as necessary. Add Olivet's school code so test scores are sent automatically. (Olivet’s school code is 001741.)
Send mid-year grade reports. Ask the guidance counselor to send these reports to colleges on the short list. Remember, schools will continue to keep track of grades, so it’s important to keep working hard throughout senior year. Review college financial aid packages. Award letters should begin arriving at homes in late November for those who filed early. Though finances should never be the only factor in a decision, consider each package carefully, as not all colleges use the same format.
spring Prepare! Take any last standardized tests and ACT/SAT retakes (statistically, students improve their score on the second or third attempt). Take Advanced Placement (AP ) tests or College-Level Examination Program (CLEP ) tests to earn college credit as senior year winds down. Be sure to discuss these options with an enrollment adviser at each school on your short list, as every school awards college credit and academic scholarships differently. TM
TM
Keep track of deadlines. It’s important to know what is due when. Make a calendar showing the application deadlines for admission, financial aid and scholarships. Connect with a guidance counselor. Be sure the counselor knows where to send transcripts, score reports and letters of recommendation. Give counselors any necessary forms much earlier than the actual deadlines so they have time to complete them. Complete applications for schools on the short list. Make sure the guidance office has sent all necessary materials, including test scores, recommendations, transcripts and application essays. Plan to get all this done before winter break so you won’t be rushed. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filing for the following school year starts on Oct. 1 of the current year. File as soon as possible to ensure access to eligible state and federal aid as well as priority status for college scholarships. Some state programs have limited resources and are first-come, first-served. Continue your scholarship search. Apply for scholarships with approaching deadlines and keep searching for more scholarship and grant opportunities. Using free online scholarship search tools is a great way to find potential aid. Ask colleges about their scholarship opportunities. Be sure to take this information into account when making a short list. A university’s sticker price can fluctuate greatly after financial aid and scholarships are applied. Talk with a financial aid representative at Olivet to discover how scholarships and financial aid change your bottom line.
Make the final college decision. Notify all schools of your intentions by May 1. If still undecided, schedule campus visits to the schools being considered. Send in the enrollment deposit and have the guidance counselor send a final transcript upon graduation. Submit any other paperwork required by the university. Follow up on financial aid information. Be sure you have received a FAFSA confirmation and award letter. If necessary, explore and apply for loans. Maintain contact with the financial aid adviser to discuss the best options for paying for college. Interact with future classmates. Attend college events, check out class Facebook and Instagram pages, and finalize roommate selection.
summer Attend new student summer orientation. Finalize course selections, choose a dorm room, meet freshman classmates, interact with faculty and staff, and begin the exciting experience of the next four years!
OLIVET.EDU
33
understanding financial aid The college choice will be heavily influenced by how you and your student perceive cost and the financial aid process. Be sure to make decisions based on accurate information. You don’t want to rule out schools based on sticker shock when financial aid could bring those schools within reach. What can we do to make college more affordable? File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and file it as early as possible. The FAFSA is the gateway to state and federal financial aid, and universities use this information to determine your student’s awards. The FAFSA can give access to grants as well as loans that tend to have lower interest rates with the most advantageous payback schedules. Some state grants have limited resources, so it’s important to file as soon as possible.
When can we file the FAFSA? You can now file the FAFSA at fafsa.gov beginning Oct. 1 for the following school year. You previously had to wait until Jan. 1, but the government moved up the filing date so you can have your financial aid picture sooner and longer to best prepare for the start of school. Another improvement: You’re able to pull financial information directly from electronic tax documents into your FAFSA form.
34 OLIVET.EDU
After filing the FAFSA, what’s next? The FAFSA allows your student to select up to 10 schools to automatically receive your family’s FAFSA information. Each school that has accepted your student for admission will then send a financial award letter outlining the federal, state and institutional aid for which your student is eligible.
What role do standardized test scores play? It’s important to find out how each admissions office handles test scores, as each school is different. If your student takes the ACT or SAT more than once (not required but permitted by both testing organizations), some universities take the highest score, while others take an average. A higher test score could improve an academic scholarship by thousands of dollars per year.
Are there other scholarships available? Some schools offer only academic scholarships. Most have additional opportunities. Like academic scholarships, most others are provided on the basis of merit and/or participation. At Olivet, there are scholarships for athletics, music (including Tiger Marching Band and University Orchestra), art, ministry and ROTC.
Is money available from sources other than the university? YES! Students should seek out local and national scholarships. Consider organizations your student has been a part of, businesses you frequent and your employer. Many offer scholarships. For national scholarships, register at reputable websites such as scholarships.com, bigfuture.collegeboard.org or fastweb.com and begin applying as soon as possible. Never pay for scholarship searches. The reputable sources are always free.
What if we have a remaining balance? The reality for most college students is that scholarships and government assistance alone do not fully cover tuition expenses. The remaining portion can be covered by parent loans, student loans or payment plans. There are many federal and private loan options. You should know that student loans require a cosigner. Payment plan options are unique to each institution. Financial aid isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” process, so work with your financial aid adviser to explore your best options.
What is a parent’s best resource for information? This process can be overwhelming, so don’t be afraid to lean on financial aid advisers. They will work with you to find financial aid solutions based on your needs. Ask the tough questions and stay informed. The more involved you are, the easier it will be.
ask the experts At Olivet, the Office of Admissions is a great resource for families in every stage of the financial aid process. kimberly strickland
klstrickland@olivet.edu “It’s my pleasure each day to assist students and their families with their award packages. The options are almost limitless.”
mark reddy
mwreddy@olivet.edu “One of my favorite moments is when families see their students awarded for their diverse, outstanding achievements.”
luke franklin
lfrankl1@olivet.edu “From afar, it seems like a puzzle. But when we get into it, the facts come alive and paint a pretty clear, affordable picture.”
debbie rattin
drattin@olivet.edu “My goal is to connect the dots for students and their parents and to use every available resource to make Olivet affordable.”
lexi thill
athill@olivet.edu “It is such an honor to play a part in so many stories of the amazing Olivet families, helping them find an affordable path to a life-changing university.” Our amazing team is available to answer your questions. Call 800-648-1463 and ask for them by name, or reach out via email. OLIVET.EDU
35
choosing a major Not every student has a simple answer when asked the unavoidable question, “What’s your major?” Welcome to the perfect place to explore all the possibilities that question presents. So you’re still exploring what to do with your life. You’re not alone. Each year, about 17% of students entering college haven’t declared or decided on a major. Around 15% of Olivet’s incoming students are unsure of their exact field of study. Considering that nearly 50% of all college students change their major (at least once), why worry? 36 OLIVET.EDU
Olivet Nazarene University is higher education focused on the liberal arts — where you get to explore all areas of knowledge and understanding: literature, science, religion, mathematics, health and the arts. The Center for Academic Excellence, located on Olivet’s campus, strives to create a culture and a climate that encourage students to explore all their educational and academic interests and assists students in identifying their specific career or calling.
PathwayU Get free access to four assessments that will help you learn more about your values, workplace preferences, interests and personality.
Catalog Consult Olivet’s online course catalog for a list of available majors and requirements for each.
Ask these questions: What is most important to me in a career?
Imagine the Future
In which areas do I naturally excel?
Review Olivet’s 140 areas of study. List careers you might want to pursue. Consider the majors that will help you get there.
What do I most enjoy doing?
CliftonStrengths This assessment helps you discover the one true you. Find out more about what you naturally do best. Use the results to live your best life.
JumpStart Program This course is a series of modules designed to be completed before classes begin and through the first few weeks of the semester. The modules will cover many of the resources and tools needed to thrive at Olivet.
JumpStart Conference This two-day conference brings new students together before the beginning of classes to introduce you to college life and “jumpstart” your Olivet experience. The conference begins on Sunday night with a worship service and continues on Monday morning.
JumpStart Mentors Upper-class students will serve as mentors for you as you arrive on campus. The mentors will help you move in, attend the JumpStart Conference with you and your freshman or transfer group, and support you throughout your first semester at Olivet.
Career Coaching Meet with a career coach or faculty adviser to work through the rewarding process of choosing your major.
Introductory Courses Take the first course in one or two areas that interest you. Sample before committing.
Shadowing Experiences Learn more about the careers that interest you. Reach out to professionals in those fields. Arrange to interview them or shadow them on the job.
Prayer Ask God to direct you in your decisions. Listen for His answers.
Which majors fit best with my personality? What do I most think about regarding the future? For which issue or cause am I most passionate? If I could do anything I wanted and knew I would be successful, what would I do?
Then, find the answers here: Academic Coaching Center Peer coaches help students develop independent learning skills in a relaxed, comfortable setting. Students’ unique learning preferences and education goals are primary in all sessions. Coaches help with enhancing academic skills, improving critical thinking skills and fostering independent scholarship. Career Development Students explore careers and employment opportunities using a variety of resources. Assistance with résumés, cover letters, the job search process and interviewing skills sets students apart in the professional world. Job fairs give potential employers opportunities to meet students. The Handshake platform connects employers with job seekers and job seekers with employment. Counseling Services When stresses build, professional counselors are available to help students grow and succeed. Students’ well-being is the top priority at Olivet. Health and Wellness Services Being healthy physically benefits students as they pursue their education and prepare for their future careers. Complete, personalized, quality health care is available for all students. OLIVET.EDU
37
scholarly pursuits
THE UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM
IMAGE GROUP
The University Honors Program provides the opportunity for academically gifted students to develop their scholarly abilities through intensive interdisciplinary coursework, enrichment activities and a two-year mentored research project. Over the past 12 years, the Honors Program has graduated 137 students, all of whom completed a capstone research project and thesis supervised by a faculty mentor in their respective disciplines. These significant undergraduate research experiences open the door for leadership opportunities in academia and industry. The graduating cohort of 2022 included representatives from the fields of history, biology, finance, chemistry, communication and engineering. Research projects covered such varied topics as an oral history of deindustrialization; the correlation between sport specialization and injury; the effects of job cuts and tax cuts on charitable giving; how not to make a short film; and asteroid detection through artificial intelligence programming.
ACT score of 28 or an equivalent SAT score; graduate in the top 10 percent of their graduating class; or have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. Students in the program participate in a sequence of teamtaught, discussion-based classes during their freshman and sophomore years that satisfy four of Olivet’s core general education curriculum requirements. These courses explore what it means to be human and expose students to the Christian liberal arts tradition. Each cohort begins the Olivet experience with an overnight freshman honors retreat and caps coursework with a cultural excursion to Chicago during the sophomore year. In their junior and senior years, students receive funding for travel and supplies related to their research projects, and they complete their studies under the supervision of a faculty mentor of their choosing.
To be eligible for application to the Honors Program, students must meet at least one of the following qualifications: have an
The culmination of students’ research is published in ELAIA: The Olivet Nazarene University Honors Journal. All volumes of ELAIA can be read online at issuu.com/Olivet. For more details about the Honors Program and application information, visit www.Olivet.edu/Honors.
38 OLIVET.EDU
life at olivet
At Olivet, students are challenged not only in the classroom but also in chapel, on playing fields, in rehearsal studios, across the dinner table, in campus housing and in every corner of campus. Our engaging, outgoing and endlessly energetic Student Development team exists to maximize each student’s college experience and help prepare you for wherever life leads after your four years at Olivet.
in pursuit of a calling 40 OLIVET.EDU
A PROCESS IN BECOMING
WITH DR. AMBER RESIDORI
How important is it for students to know what they want to study before enrolling in college?
where you trust the adults to listen and guide you in finding your life’s calling.
I wish I had a megaphone and permission to walk the hallways of high schools everywhere so I could tell students, “You do NOT need to have a major picked before coming to college.”
What advice do you have for high school students considering college as a postgraduation option?
Students put a lot of pressure on themselves to have huge life decisions made before they come to college. I get it. College is expensive, and they don’t want to waste time and money. However, not having a major does not mean you won’t finish college on time. We want to reassure them that there is no need to panic, and we are here to guide them through the process of matching their beautiful distinctiveness to a meaningful profession. Let’s be honest: Choosing a career is important, and not many of us were ready to make that decision at 17 or 18 years old. However, each of us is blessed with unique gifts and talents, and there are careers that match our specific strengths. It is far more important for high school students (especially as they make college visits) to ask questions and understand how a university will walk beside them, guide them and help lead them through a process of finding their calling than to immediately commit to a major. Enroll in a college
Come visit our campus! The leap from high school to college can feel huge. We understand, and we want you to know you’re not alone. You don’t need to have everything figured out; you just need to take the next step. Trust your gut. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re on a campus, and imagine yourself growing, learning and developing beside the students, professors and staff you meet during your visit. We tend to idolize people who already achieved, made their mark and became something extraordinary. We see them as bigger than life — at least bigger than our own life. We admire their accomplishments and want to capture their unique qualities so that we can emulate their success. Ironically, these role models would likely explain that they have not yet fully become. Instead, their unique quality is that they have never quit becoming. They have been mindful to capture valuable life lessons that were embedded within failure and success and within the mundane and the exciting.
OLIVET.EDU
41
You see, individuals who have truly become never settle. They stretch themselves so that they are constantly in the process of developing, improving and transforming. One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is ongoing learning, a commitment to stretching, and a life filled with intellectual, personal and professional growth. What is the importance of a liberal arts education in finding a calling? A liberal arts education is a blessing. It offers a comprehensive way of teaching young adults how to think — not what to think. A liberal arts education helps students be well-rounded individuals who know how to think, because the holistic approach exposes them to an array of academic disciplines like the arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences. It teaches students how to consider and integrate information through a comprehensive, well-rounded and educated lens of the world. We want our alumni to find their calling and gainful employment after graduation. A liberal arts education offers a broad understanding of knowledge, enhances critical thinking skills, builds character, develops communication skills and equips students to solve complex problems. Employers want to hire individuals who have strong character and can think comprehensively, communicate well, consider alternatives when solving problems and work successfully within a team. A liberal arts education provides these skills and prepares students for a lifetime of becoming.
42 OLIVET.EDU
What makes Olivet stand out as a university? There are so many qualities about Olivet that make us stand out. First of all, we care! Olivet is committed to helping our students in the process of becoming. We offer a relevant, current and cutting-edge educational experience within a connected, family-like atmosphere. We are proud of our strong academic programs and our reputation as a place for spiritual growth and discovery. We want our students to be challenged and stretched educationally, but we also want them to be challenged and stretched personally and spiritually. Our students work beside faculty and staff who model service to Christ. We recognize that our students are relational and see faculty as mentors who lovingly teach them that becoming is not an overnight process. Instead, becoming emerges only after repeating, testing, trying, learning and then owning moments of character development. We know that college years are a key time in students’ lives when they continue to clarify their values, morals and the lens through which they see the world. So our faculty interactions are intentional and dedicated to helping students develop and transform. Our faculty members also understand that college students are not sustained merely by books. Instead, they are nourished by time spent with people they grow to admire and respect. In fact, becoming involves finishing strong every hour, every project and every opportunity. It means showing up — really showing up — with a commitment to excellence, integrity and service.
Our students become doctors, social workers, engineers, accountants, pastors and countless other careers while fulfilling dreams they may have imagined since childhood. But, more importantly, our students become men and women who lead, who are committed to ongoing growth, and who strive to glorify God as they serve professionally and personally.
The beauty of a school like Olivet is that we offer almost any major a student might consider. Our array of offerings allows students the opportunity to take courses that expose them to various majors. And the great news is that all these courses count toward their graduation requirements, so this is not wasted time but informed decision-making.
What are some tools you use to help students figure out an area of study to pursue?
It is beautiful to watch a student move across the spectrum from feeling overwhelmed and lost to feeling like a partner as we explore possibilities together and then, ultimately, to choosing a major and witnessing their confidence flourish. All of us benefit when we invite students into the process of discovering how God plans to take their gifts and talents into future careers. Becoming is a process, and we are grateful for the privilege of walking beside students as they realize how their unique qualities were designed by God to serve His Kingdom in incredible ways.
At Olivet, we start with a strong belief that each student has been blessed by God with gifts and talents that are unique to them. It is helpful to allow students the opportunity to explore who they are, what they enjoy, environments where they have thrived previously and what they don’t enjoy. There are also career assessments that students can take that provide insight into various occupations that align with their natural gifts and talents. In that process, they will naturally rule some out while simultaneously creating a short list of potential career choices.
DR. AMBER RESIDORI ’93/’17 Ed.D. dean of the College of Professional Studies, is a licensed clinical social worker. She has worked extensively in residential treatment settings with youth and adolescents
who struggle with emotional and behavioral disorders. She has a wide range of experience developing new
programs, including outpatient therapy, transitional living and acute inpatient psychiatric hospital programs. She
previously served at Olivet as a social work professor, as chair of the Department of Social Work and Criminal Justice, and as dean of the School of Life and Health Sciences.
OLIVET.EDU
43
higher education higher purpose Earning a bachelor’s degree at Olivet Nazarene University can be the first step into a life filled with promise and success. Many students take the next step of earning a master’s or doctorate degree, while others head straight into a job to start their careers. Olivet The Magazine recently spoke with six outstanding young alumni who are continuing to pursue a higher purpose as they build on the experiences of their higher education.
44 OLIVET.EDU
Caroline Boehne ’22
Joshua Zaucha ’21
As a college athlete on Olivet’s women’s basketball team, Caroline Boehne understood the importance of developing a healthy relationship with food and nutrition. Her undergraduate degree in dietetics strengthened her core knowledge, and clinical hours with registered dietitian nutritionists helped her understand the caregiving elements of the profession. Her experiences inspired an interest in becoming a certified diabetes care and education specialist.
Joshua Zaucha has looked forward to going to law school since middle school, but it was his time at Olivet that equipped and prepared him for the intense higher education experience. Some of the advanced political science and legal studies courses at Olivet taught by Dr. David Van Heemst ’96 M.P.C./’98 M.A. and Dr. Charles Emmerich were delivered in the style and substance of a law school course, deepening Joshua’s excitement for law school.
In order to earn credentials as a registered dietitian nutritionist, candidates must complete a Master of Science degree in nutrition and dietetics, a two-year program that includes 1,000 hours of supervised experiential learning. After completing her undergraduate coursework, Caroline chose to continue her education at Olivet. She saw immense value in the undergraduate experience and was interested in a future education model program, which combines coursework with professional experience in workplaces such as hospitals, farms and community programs.
“My professors at Olivet introduced me to the unique rigor of a graduate education,” Joshua reflected. “But those courses also provided practical training in basic skills like case briefing and legal reasoning that I employ to this day.”
Major: Dietetics; Minor: Chemistry Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Olivet Nazarene University
“The graduate program’s courses as well as research and community experiences will introduce me to several different concentrations and specialties of nutrition and dietetics that will guide me towards a career that I am passionate about,” Caroline said. “I am looking forward to networking with dietetic professionals, and I am excited to help people improve and enhance their lives through food and nutrition.” For the first two years of the program, she will work under the guidance of Dr. Cathy Anstrom ’95 MBA and Dr. Deb Kimberlin ’03 as the graduate assistant for the new program.
Major: Political Science; Minors: Legal Studies, Spanish, Business Juris Doctor, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
At Olivet, Joshua served at the Kankakee County Courthouse in an AmeriCorps-sponsored role providing legal resources for the county’s self-represented litigants. In the summer following his first year in law school, he worked in the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, where he supported seasonal and migrant workers in asserting their rights in the labor market. “The civility and comradery at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law is totally dissimilar from the stories I hear from fellow law students at different schools,” he said. “I have been blessed with some of the most genuine, caring friends that I have ever met, and they challenge me every day to be that same type of person. Such a cooperative and encouraging spirit puts the immense educational challenge in perspective and reminds me that I do what I do because of the love that I have for the people around me.”
“My dietetics professors have been great mentors, and I am excited to continue to learn from them,” she said. “Olivet creates a community where my peers and I feel both valued personally and challenged academically, and I hope to carry these traits over into my career beyond my time here.”
OLIVET.EDU
45
Nathan Gonzalez ’22
Major: Pastoral Ministry; Minor: Theology Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, Moody Theological Seminary For most of his undergraduate experience, Nathan Gonzalez blew off the idea of going to graduate school. However, the passion for teaching demonstrated by the professors in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry emphasized the importance of furthering his education. “What sparked my interest in Moody Theological Seminary was the focus of the program and their approach to studying Scripture,” he reflected. “At Olivet, I enjoyed the different theological perspectives, which helped me discover my own beliefs and stances as well as how to defend what I disagree with. I look forward to being able to dive deeper than where I have already been taken in my undergraduate degree, and I am excited to further solidify my calling and use what I learn to give back to people.” Nathan is confident in his call to pastoral ministry and is ready to further explore Biblical studies at Moody. “I believe furthering my education will help me to better be prepared and aware of how to teach Scripture to people in a congregation,” he said. “It will help me to strengthen my ability to approach Scripture and utilize all the available tools I am given as I further seek to understand and teach the Word. “I think being willing to build personal relationships with my professors taught me the importance of seeing that education is a part of a calling. I have seen how my time at Olivet was a part of my larger calling as a pastor because my time learning, studying, reading and articulating the Scriptures has been grown, challenged and shaped.”
Ke’Lynn Brummell ’22
Major: Corporate Communication; Minor: Leadership Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, Navistar Prior to completing an internship, Ke’Lynn Brummell didn’t know what she wanted to do after graduation. However, she was passionate about communications and got involved on campus in as many ways as she could advance her expertise. Ke’Lynn took classes in communication, public relations (PR) writing, branding and social media management. She was also involved outside the classroom with the Inspired Strategies student public relations agency and as president of the Black Student Christian Association. By her junior year, she was still unsure about a career focus, so she turned to LinkedIn to build her professional network and pinpoint a career interest. “I was intentional about connecting with random strangers on LinkedIn whose career I wanted to learn more about,” she shared. “One of those individuals was a diversity, equity and inclusion [DEI] specialist. I then stumbled across Navistar and applied for an internship.” During the first week of her internship, Ke’Lynn was recognized by the CEO of the company for her work. “I was hired as a DEI intern, and my first assignment was to make an engaging newsletter to inform the company about Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month,” she said. “They just told me to be creative with the intention of informing. I created a fact sheet, which I learned how to do in a PR writing class at Olivet. My team loved that fact sheet so much that they had me make one for every month and special occasion.” The success of the internship turned into a full-time job offer as a DEI coordinator before Ke’Lynn even graduated. “From social media branding to fact sheets to newsletters to DEI research proposals to competitive research on DEI recruiting strategies, I knew that my work was making an impact on the company just as an intern,” she reflected. “There is no better feeling as an employee than knowing that your work is significant in advancing a company’s vision and goals.”
46 OLIVET.EDU
Emily Zeck ’21
Major: Biology; Minor: Chemistry Master of Science in Orthotics and Prosthetics, Baylor College of Medicine Emily Zeck wasn’t certain how she would use her degree in biology until halfway through her undergraduate career. During the summer following her sophomore year, she shadowed at an orthotics and prosthetics clinic and knew that was the career path she wanted to pursue. “I loved how a clinician could use their own creativity to create a device that will give back someone’s mobility,” she said. The master’s program at Baylor College of Medicine is 2½ years, and Emily recently completed her didactic year focused on class and lab work. She will now complete five residencies in sites across the country. Her goal is to work at a children’s hospital to help those with neuromuscular and congenital diseases or limb loss. Emily said the best part about the first year of her program was working with patients. “I created an assortment of prosthetic legs for patients, and watching them walk in something you created is unmatched,” she reflected. “Even though orthotics and prosthetics is a small and specific field of healthcare, having a broad range of experience is what sets an [orthotics and prosthetics] clinician apart. Baylor is unique, in that residency is included as a part of their curriculum and they allow you to experience several different hospitals and clinics.” Similar to Olivet, class sizes are small at Baylor. There were only 23 students in Emily’s undergraduate program, which created a very personal and close community. “After graduating from Olivet, I can now start to see how the Lord was molding me for those four years,” she said. “Through class work and learning, I think the Lord was starting to direct me on how I can use my passion to help others. I also think He’s continuing to show me that my abilities can be used to glorify Him.”
Jacob Vangore ’18
Major: Computer Science Software Engineer, Capital One Coursework and student employment opportunities at Olivet set a strong framework for Jacob Vangore to establish a career path as a software engineer. “Classes like design patterns and systems programming really shined the light on what the possibilities were with software engineering,” he said. “Working at Benner Library as a web developer also gave me the opportunity to solve real-world problems through code, which felt really cool.” Since graduating from Olivet, Jacob has worked for two Fortune 200 companies as a software engineer. Every day, he finds digital solutions for challenges by writing and editing code. In a field that sometimes seems solitary, his work has actually been fairly collaborative in nature. “There’s something really cool about talking out a problem — technical or business — with your coworkers and coming up with a solution together,” he explained. “Even though I work remotely, my team makes it a priority to create a culture where people are engaged with the work and one another.” At times, his work can be fairly repetitive, but the opportunities for growth in the industry abound. “There is a heavy emphasis on learning,” Jacob said of his role, “and not just about competencies related to your current role. Capital One does a really good job encouraging its employees to learn about things that interest them.” Investing in new skills and knowledge pertinent to his core job priorities has helped Jacob ensure he grows in his professional capacities — something he attributes to finding success and fulfillment in his daily work. “Taking the time to learn outside of the classroom is really important,” he said. “Technology is changing so quickly, and learning in an academic setting can only help up to a certain point. Self-study will help you become better at whatever it is you end up doing.”
OLIVET.EDU
47
commencement Celebrating the class of 2022 was the top priority at Olivet Nazarene University during the first week of May. The Baccalaureate service in the Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel provided space for the class of 2022 to give praise together for a final time. Special music was provided by the Olivet Wind Ensemble, Orpheus Choir and School of Music faculty. Dr. Gregg A. Chenoweth ’90, University president, delivered a message of inspiration and encouragement, reminding graduates that their degrees provide credentials for the workplace, but their faith journey is a commissioning. “Credentialing without commissioning is work halfway done,” he said. “It is like climbing a ladder of success only to realize years later it was leaning on the wrong building all along. You can succeed at the wrong thing. Tomorrow, alma mater Olivet credentials you, but tonight we also commission you. … We commission you so that 15 years from now, when you reach the top of the ladder you’re climbing, you’ll enjoy the satisfaction of realizing it really was leaning on the right building all along. Your life will show meaning not just success.” 48 OLIVET.EDU
OLIVET.EDU
49
The 109th Commencement Ceremony marked the academic achievements of this class with the conferral of 585 bachelor’s degrees in Centennial Chapel. Dr. Rodney Reed ’84, deputy vice-chancellor of academic affairs at Africa Nazarene University, gave the commencement address titled “Break Camp and Advance!” based on Deuteronomy 1:5–8. “You may be anxious today about all of your uncertainties,” Reed said. “… I pray that your days here at Olivet were marked by spiritual, divine encounters. … Sinai was never meant to last forever. Graduates, your time at Olivet has simply been a time of preparation. It was not meant to last forever. … “For most of you, God is saying today that it’s time to break camp and advance. All of this pomp and circumstance is meant to give you the opportunity to detach and to break camp properly. … Let me remind you that you are resilient. You survived and you can do this next thing. Don’t underestimate your ability to adapt and thrive despite changing circumstances and hardship.” Mick McGraw ’72, representative of the 50-year graduation class, charged the class of 2022 to use all they have learned as they embark on a new journey. “As you leave the campus, know this: You’ve been uniquely prepared for this next stage in life,” he encouraged. “Olivet educates students in ways that most universities do not. … Olivet aims to develop you as a whole person. On this campus, you’ve learned the value of your character, intellectual growth, integrity, humility and success and spiritual foundation. Because Olivet embraces character as well as knowledge, they’ve been setting the stage for you to gain in wisdom. You will earn this wisdom over a lifetime.”
50 OLIVET.EDU
GRADUATE AND CONTINUING STUDIES
BUSINESS NURSING EDUCATION ACCELERATED DEGREES MBA MOL
ABSN BSN MSN MSN-FNP OLIVET.EDU
MAE: CURRICULUM OR READING
PLUS MINISTRY, DIETETICS AND MORE. Often, parents of ONU students say, “I wish I could enroll again!” Captivated by the complete Olivet experience, many adults choose to continue their education at Olivet. ONU offers more than two dozen graduate and continuing studies degrees, certificates and programs. Our top-ranked master’s programs include Business, Education, Nursing, Ministry and Dietetics (new for 2022)! The Doctor of Education degree in Ethical Leadership is also offered, ideal for those who desire to lead change, transform society, and apply strategic decisions.
NOW ENROLLING!
Scan here for more information, or go to OLIVET.EDU.
for parents parent & family network Discover ways to keep up with and encourage your Olivet student throughout his or her academic, social and spiritual journey at Olivet. To receive quarterly communication (important dates, upcoming events and resources for parents) during the school year, sign up at Olivet.edu/Parents.
31-day prayer guide
We have created a 31-Day Prayer Guide for parents of college students and those preparing for college. To receive your free copy for parents and families, visit Olivet.edu/Parents.
FOUNDED IN
FAST FACTS
O L I V E T AT A G LA N C E
STUDENTS More than 3,700 — 2,500 undergraduates — from nearly every U.S. state, 21 countries and more than 40 religious denominations. ALUMNI Olivet Nazarene University has graduated many notable alumni who have given back to the University, the Olivet region, the Church and the world in so many ways. There are more than 40,000 living alumni making a worldwide impact.
ACADEMICS More than 140 areas of undergraduate areas of study and graduate degrees, including the Doctor of Education: Ethical Leadership, offered on campus and online through the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Professional Studies and the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Study‑abroad opportunities have included Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, Egypt, Honduras, Romania, Japan, Uganda, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
ACCREDITATION The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Specialized accreditation includes the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council on Social Work Education, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. In addition, the Teacher Education program is recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as an education preparation provider.
ATHLETICS At Olivet, student-athletes compete on 22 intercollegiate teams. Olivet provides competitive athletic awards and scholarships for qualifying candidates. Varsity teams for men include basketball, baseball, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis,
track and field, and volleyball. Varsity teams for women include basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. In addition to varsity sports, more than half the student body participate in Olivet’s thriving intramural and club sports programs.
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS More than 90 clubs and organizations representing diverse interests, including a campus newspaper, yearbook and literary magazine; Enactus business club; Student Philanthropy Council; ROTC; radio broadcasting (Shine.FM); numerous choral and instrumental ensembles (including University Marching Band and the University Orchestra); drama and musical theatre performances; intramural athletics; and community volunteer and spiritual life organizations.
CAMPUS Olivet Nazarene University has a beautiful, park-like campus featuring 35 major buildings on 275 acres. Located in the Village of Bourbonnais, Illinois, just 45 miles south of Chicago’s Loop, the campus is situated on what was once tallgrass prairie. While not much of the original habitat remains, caretakers of the University have spent the past few decades intentionally planting trees native to the area as well as diversifying the flora. In spring 2022, Olivet joined the ranks of 508 internationally accredited arboreta with a Level I Certification through the Morton Arboretum’s interactive community, ArbNet.
SPIRITUAL LIFE Christian community committed to making worship of God the central focus of our lives. Our faith in Jesus Christ cannot be separated from the educational experience, and we seek to honor God in all we learn, say and do. Through chapel services, each segment of the University community has the opportunity to join with others in worship and receive instruction in
__
Olivet.edu/About
1907,
ONU st ands com to in tegr atin mit ted g fait and lear ning h
the Word and encouragement to serve. Notable and world‑renowned speakers regularly address the Olivet community during chapel.
GRADUATE AND CONTINUING STUDIES BUSINESS – Bachelor of Applied Science in Business, Bachelor of Applied Science in Leadership, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science in Leadership, Master of Organizational Leadership, Master of Business Administration EDUCATION – Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction, Master of Arts in Education: Reading Specialist, Bilingual Endorsement, Safety and Driver’s Education Endorsement, English as a Second Language Endorsement, Learning Behavior Specialist Endorsement, Reading Endorsement, Teacher Leader Endorsement MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES – Bachelor of Applied Science in Multidisciplinary Studies and Bachelor of Science in Multidisciplinary Studies NURSING – Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing; Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion (RN-B.S.N.); Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing (RN-M.S.N.); Master of Science in Nursing: Education; Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner; Master of Science in Nursing: Transformational Leadership; Postgraduate Certificates in Education, Family Nursing Practitioner and Transformational Leadership MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NUTRITION AND DIETETICS MINISTRY – Master of Arts: Christian Ministry, Master of Arts: Family Ministry, Master of Arts: Ministerial Studies, Master of Arts: Missional Multiplication, Master of Arts: Pastoral Ministry, Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Arts in Pastoral Leadership, Master of Arts: Urban Ministry, Master of Ministry, Master of Ministry in Spanish, Master of Divinity DOCTOR OF EDUCATION: ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
COLLEGES, SCHOOLS & MAJORS
U N D E R G RA D U AT E A R E AS O F ST U DY A N D G RA D UAT E D E G R E E P R O G RA M S
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Art Art – Drawing/Painting Art – Graphic Design Art – Media Arts Art – Photography Art Education Communication Studies Corporate Communication English English as a Second Language English as a Second Language Education English Education Geography History Leadership Studies Legal Studies Literature Ministerial Missions Multimedia Communication Multimedia Communication – Film Studies Multimedia Communication – Journalism
Multimedia Communication – Live Event Media Management Multimedia Communication – Ministry Media Multimedia Communication – Radio/Audio Media Multimedia Communication – TV/Video Production Musical Theatre Photography Political Science Pre-Art Therapy Pre-Law Psychology Public Policy – Domestic Public Policy – Foreign Public Relations & Strategic Communication Social Science Social Science Education Sociology Spanish Spanish Education
__
Explore the Possibilities
Olivet.edu/Academics
Theatre Production & Performance Writing SCHOOL OF MUSIC Music Music – Composition Music Education Music – Jazz Studies Music Ministry Music – Performance Music – Recording Arts WALKER SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS Actuarial Science Biology Chemistry Chemistry – Biochemistry Chemistry – Earth/Environmental Chemistry Chemistry – Forensics Computer Science – Networking & Data Communications
Computer Science – Software Development Computer Science – Software Entrepreneurship Cybersecurity Data Science Earth & Space Science Engineering – Architectural Engineering – Chemical Engineering – Civil Engineering – Computer Engineering – Electrical Engineering – Mechanical Environmental Science Geological Science Geological Science – Geochemistry Geological Science – Geotechnical Geological Science – Life Science Mathematics Mathematics Education Physical Sciences Pre-Dental Pre-Medicine Pre-Optometry Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Physician’s Assistant Pre-Veterinary Science Education – Biology Science Education – Chemistry Science Education – Earth/Space Science Zoology COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Criminal Justice Criminal Justice – Criminology Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Dietetics Family & Consumer Sciences – Hospitality Interior Design Kinesiology Kinesiology – Exercise Physiology Kinesiology – Pre-Athletic Training Kinesiology – Pre-Occupational Therapy Kinesiology – Pre-Physical Therapy Military Affairs Military Science
Recreation & Sport Studies Social Work Sport Management Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Child Development Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Health Education Physical Education Special Education Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction Master of Arts in Education: Educational Leadership Master of Arts in Education: Reading Specialist Doctor of Education: Ethical Leadership MCGRAW SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Accounting Business – Entrepreneurship Business – Healthcare Management Business – Human Resource Management Business – Management Business – Philanthropy/Not‑for-Profit Business – Operations Management Business – Public Administration Business Administration Economics Economics & Finance – Applied Economics Economics & Finance – Certified Financial Planning Economics & Finance – Corporate Finance Finance International Business Leadership Management Management Information Systems Marketing Marketing – Commercial Graphics Marketing – Corporate Relations Marketing – International
Marketing – Management Master of Business Administration Master of Organizational Leadership SCHOOL OF NURSING Nursing Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Master of Science in Nursing: Education Master of Science in Nursing: Transformational Leadership SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND CHRISTIAN MINISTRY Biblical Languages Biblical Studies Children’s Ministry Christian Education Christian Studies Greek Hebrew Intercultural Studies Pastoral Ministry Philosophy Philosophy & Religion Pre-Seminary Religious Studies Theology Youth Ministry Master of Arts: Christian Ministry Master of Arts: Family Ministry Master of Arts: Ministerial Studies Master of Arts: Missional Multiplication Master of Arts: Pastoral Leadership Master of Arts: Pastoral Ministry Master of Arts: Religion Master of Arts: Urban Ministry Master of Divinity Master of Ministry Master of Ministry: Spanish General Studies General Studies Multidisciplinary Studies
the numbers
112
99
PERCENT OF STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID
Intercollegiate athletic teams compete in NAIA and NCCAA
LOCAL MINISTRY AND GLOBAL MISSION TRIP OPPORTUNITIES
MILLION DOLLARS in financial aid awarded last year to ONU students
Graduate and Continuing Studies Degrees
95
23
PERCENT CAREER OUTCOMES RATE
STUDY-ABROAD AND MISSION O PPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
14:1
22
21
STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO, WITH A TOTAL ENROLLMENT OF MORE THAN 3,700
Statistics compiled from 2019, 2020 and/or 2021.
Intramural sports and tournaments with more than 1,540 participants each school year
purple& gold fridays There is no better way to experience Olivet than Purple & Gold Days, our personalized visit days for high school seniors and parents. Pick a Friday this fall to visit Olivet and see why thousands of young men and women choose an “Education With a Christian Purpose.” We can’t wait to see you! Start your Olivet journey today at Olivet.edu.
september 23 september 30 october 14 october 21 november 4 november 11 november 18 december 2 december 9 scan here to learn more and schedule your campus visit!
ONE UNIVERSITY AVENUE BOURBONNAIS, IL 60914
OLIVET.EDU
