Olivet Nazarene University

 

When professor Bill Greiner first arrived to teach art on campus in 1988, there were a grand total of 18 said majors.

This September to date, there are approximately 150 art students and last May at Centennial Commencement, the art and digital media department was the second largest graduating class.

“We graduated 27 art majors and three art education majors for a total of 29 majors under the art umbrella. Photography is one of our rapidly growing concentrations, along with graphics. Technology drives the department and majors,” shares Bill.

The growth makes the department the fifth largest on campus. A mixture of increase in total university growth, cutting-edge technology and a demand for skilled workers in art-related fields all play into the rise in interest.

“Networked labs and state of the art equipment, [along with] our computers being replaced every four years so students are able to use professional-grade equipment; that is a huge commitment from ONU,” shares Bill on the cutting edge Olivet’s art department exhibits.

“In addition, professor Patrick Kirk brings years of industry experience and has set the goals high enough for students to reach but allows for growth within a class or area of study,” explains Bill.

Keri Shay ’07, an art and photography graduate, feels her classes at Olivet prepared her well for her dreams to be a social justice photographer.

She says her time spent under the guidance of Olivet art professors afforded her a flexibility and well-rounded training that will serve her well.

“I was always supported by my [art] professors. They supported my vision of what I wanted to do. Professor [Scott] Dombrowski let me take an independent photojournalism class where I could tailor my opportunities to my interests,” explains Keri.

While Keri trained at Olivet, doors began opening for her work to gain a wider audience. Through her independent study class, she had the opportunity to serve as photographer during Uganda Lobby Days in Washington, D.C., in October of 2006.

In looking back over her four years at Olivet, she’s grateful for the chance at a well-rounded education.

“I am glad I got a liberal arts degree. Some people say, for art, you should go to an all-art school. But Olivet provided some things other schools couldn’t. It provided deeper things in addition to just learning how to take a good picture.”

In addition to Keri, other Olivet alums have spread wide into different art arenas, fully able to compete in a demanding market.

To name a few, Brock Boyts ’06 works as a graphic artist for the television show America’s Most Wanted; Alan Close ’94 owns his own design company and comic book label, Dust Press; Michelle Gannon ’06 serves as a photographer at a local newspaper and Scott Krouch ’94 designs greeting cards for Hallmark.

Countless others own their own photography or graphic design businesses and are using their gifts to communicate creatively.
Jonathon Brown, a senior art major with a photography concentration, feels his training at Olivet has been challenging and relevant to his field.

“The art program has been really good to me throughout all four years that I have been here. … My professors have always been very personable, and my peers willing to help. In particular, many of my professors have always made their resources available to me,” he explains.

“They push me to be a better person, better photographer, and to challenge myself to always go to the next level. I'm sure the connections I am making here will open up doors in my future endeavors.”