Five on Friday

Featuring Donnie Johnson, director of graphic design

1. How did you become interested in graphic design?
I was first drawn to graphic design through my participation on the high school yearbook staff. I loved the end product after a year’s worth of work. The satisfaction of creating a book that would preserve so many good memories seemed like a great career to live out my life.

2. As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always thought being an architect would be a cool job. Even up to the time of choosing a college major, architecture was at the top of the list. But for some reason that extra year of a five-year degree seemed like an eternity to me at the age of 18.

3. What's the best part about having your son, Logan, on campus as a student?
As a dad, it’s probably the first time in my life that I know more about what’s going on in Logan’s day than his mom does. He stops by my office in between classes a couple times a week. It’s fun being in the loop for a change.

4. You won the marketing office’s fitness challenge last year (trophy pictured above). What’s your favorite way to work out?
If there’s an awesome trophy to be won, I usually go for some type of cardio equipment like a treadmill or an elliptical machine. Then I can listen to a fast-moving music playlist to keep me motivated and help the workout go quickly.

5. What's the best way to spend a Saturday afternoon?
Saturday’s are my day to catch up on things around the house, like yard work and washing the car. It’s also a good day to tackle repair projects. Somehow simple do-it-yourself projects always end up taking me hours and hours after several trips to the hardware store. If I can get through everything on my to-do list on a Saturday, the rest of the week is a breeze.

Five on Friday

Featuring Liz Gray, help desk technician

1. What have you enjoyed most about your job?
Hmmm, that's a tough question. At first I would have to say that it was hard to get used to having my phone number on everyone's speed dial, but I guess I would have to say my favorite part about my job is simply just meeting new people and being able to help them with their computer problems. I have made a lot of friends here at Olivet simply by just being patient and helping them out with their questions and computer issues. While I am by no means a computer genius, I just love helping people in general.

2. What's one of the most frequent questions you get at the help desk?
Outside of normal "chaos control" for large outages, I would have to say the top questions we receive at the help desk are pertaining to password resets. Usually Network accounts, Blackboard, OASIS and Datatel. Next I would have to say would be questions regarding software utilization and how to's on a very wide variety of software, mainly Microsoft Office, GroupWise, Blackboard etc. A lot of the other issues are able to be resolved by just simply restarting the computer. We do, however; get a few funny questions once in awhile that should be directed to other departments like:

- "The power is out, and my computer will not turn on."
- "Our golf cart is not charging. Can one of your guys come over and look at it?"
- " Is Google's website down?"
- "Can you reset my facebook password?"

It's always great to get those -- it makes you laugh and it helps you try to put yourself in the other person's shoes. So much is related to technology that people often call without even realizing what the actual problem is. :)

3. Your family makes pure maple syrup. Can you tell us a little about that process?
Yes, my family has made Pure Michigan Maple Syrup for at least five generations. People who make maple syrup are often referred to as "sugarmakers." Each year in early spring, we go out to the woods for the start of maple syrup season, which generally lasts from mid-February (just before the snow melts) to early April depending on how well the weather cooperates. We "tap," or drill a small hole into the trunk of a tree (this does not hurt the tree and can't be drilled within a 3 inch radius of the hole from the year before or it will suck air) and then insert a spile to catch the sap that begins to collect in the hole. The spout is then connected to a bucket or to plastic tubing, which is what we use. The tubing stretches through the woods, to collect the dripping sap. Sap straight from the sugar maple tree is about 98 percent water and two percent sugar. Other sap starts to "run" or flow out of the holes when the weather is just right. The sap runs best when there are cold nights (with temperatures below freezing) and warm days (with temperatures above freezing). Once the sap is collected, it needs to be boiled to get rid of the excess water right away to make the maple syrup. Maple syrup as its finished product is approximately 33 percent water and 67 percent sugar.

We use an evaporator fueled by fuel oil along with a reverse osmosis machine so it heats the sap more consistently than wood heat. The reverse osmosis helps to speed up the process and use less resources at the same time. An evaporator consists of two or more large, specially designed pans that are filled with sap. It kind of works like the float system in the back of your toilet. These pans sit over a fire of burning wood or fuel, which heats the sap and causes it to boil. As it boils, some of the water in the sap turns to steam, which rises out of the syrup shack. It makes the air smell so good outside! The sap becomes thicker and sweeter as it boils.

We know the maple syrup is ready when its temperature reaches seven degrees Fahrenheit above the boiling point of water. This process requires a lot of time and energy, because it takes about 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of pure maple syrup! Once the maple syrup is thick enough, it is filtered to take out "sugar sand," which accumulates as sap boils. Sugar sand is just minerals and nutrients that concentrate as the excess water is boiled away. If it is not filtered out, the maple syrup will appear cloudy and taste gritty.

After the maple syrup is filtered, it is put into containers for sale. From there it can be made into other tasty maple treats like maple sugar, maple syrup candy, maple cream, and even maple jelly. Pure maple syrup is great on pancakes, waffles, french toast, baked beans, steamed rice and veggies, and other foods. My favorite is on vanilla ice cream!

4. What would a perfect afternoon with your boys include?
Since we are originally from Michigan, we were surrounded by outdoor activities. Not that Bourbonnais is not a great place, but we used to live where many people vacation. After moving here I quickly realized that we were very spoiled in growing up in Michigan. I would have to say that I have missed the beaches there, so a perfect afternoon would be spent at the beach, 78 degrees, a small breeze, a picnic snack, maybe a sand castle or two, no cell phones, and lots of fun photos to scrapbook and look back on later. As a side note, I mentioned to Ethan that we could go to the beach when we visit Nina and Papa, and he corrected me saying, "Mommy, you did say the wrong thing. That's silly, we don't say beaches, we only can go in pools, and tub-tubs." While it was funny to me that he would say that, I realized, he has never really been to a beach to swim. The whole idea was just foreign to him and totally caught me off guard.

5. Your husband recently accepted a church position in Michigan - Congrats! How would you ask people to pray for you during this time of transition?
Yes, the church we have accepted is located in Elmdale or Clarksville, Michigan, in which we are very excited and thankful about because it is just a few hours from both sets of family, hooray! We have seen how God has worked through this whole situation and as each day gets closer, we see His appearance in each day all the more. Things seem to be happening pretty quickly as far as our timeline goes and it seems rushed at times.

We would most likely be moving sometime in June -- just as Nate is finishing up a class and starting another, which is foreseeably going to be a little stressful. There are a few details that we are still waiting to hear back on so I guess I would ask for prayer for the rest of the details to fall into place as the Lord would have them to, for safety in our move, that the last month will be as stress-free as possible, and that this move would not be too tough on our children. I don't expect it will be too hard on them because they are pretty young yet (Ethan will be 4 on June 16, and Aiden will be 1 on July 15), and we are planning on getting Ethan and Aiden a puppy for their birthdays. I think Nate is more excited about the puppy than the kids will be, but we don't have a lot of worries in this. We know 100% that this is where God is leading us and we are constantly reminded through Romans 8:28-39 that God is with us and He will take care of us, if we are faithful to carry out His calling. I know we will miss our friends and jobs here at Olivet very much but are very excited to start this new chapter in our lives.

Five on Friday

Featuring Matt Foor, controller

1. What is your role as controller?
My role is to help coordinate and oversee the day-to-day accounting operations of the University. The tasks are quite varied, and on any given day you may find me helping a department chair with budget issues, advising student government leaders about their student activity funds, working with auditors to reconcile financial reports, completing government-required reports so the school can receive federal funding, talking to bankers about treasury/cash management, and making sure "the bills get paid" in an efficient manner. I work with an outstanding staff and work for leaders with great vision. I feel privileged to be able to make a contribution to the ONU community and do my part to make this a better place for students.

2. You're participating in Vision Walk 2010. How did you get involved with this?
Vision Walk is being held in Chicago on June 13, and I am participating with my family. The purpose is to raise awareness and funds for eye diseases. We are so close to having cures to help those who struggle with being able to see. With God's help, the researchers can continue to make strides with adequate funding. Since some of my family members, including my wife, have to deal with vision difficulties, this is something I want to do to show my support for them. The 5K walk will start at Soldier Field and wind through the Museum Campus.

3. What's one family vacation you'd like to take?
This is an easy question. Disney World! We have started planning and saving for a trip. Our kids are getting to the age now where they travel better and enjoy vacation time. Beth and I have started telling them all the fun things there are to do there, and their excitement seems to grow each day. Our son is already studying the map of the parks and is asking questions all the time.

4. You and your wife both graduated from Olivet. How did you meet?
Beth and I met at Olivet, but were in different classes and had different friends. We knew each other just well enough to say "hi" in the hallways and cafeteria, etc. After we graduated, we both had jobs in the same town, went to the same church, attended the same small group, and she lived right next door to my sister and brother-in-law. So by then, our paths started crossing more ... then we started dating ... then we fell in love, and the rest is history. It was all part of God's plan and I am so thankful that we met at ONU and are now able to share the rest of our life together.

5. You're an Ohio State fan married into a Michigan family. How have you managed to remain on good terms with the in-laws during OSU's current winning streak?
I keep my mouth shut. :) Seriously, we have been kind to each other about our "differences." I knew my wife truly loved me when she, a Michigan fan from birth, pulled many strings to find tickets to a Buckeye football game for our tenth anniversary.

Five on Friday

Featuring Kathy Boyens, director of library and resource center

1. What do you enjoy most about your job?
Working with just great people (Olivet faculty and staff are the best in the world!), helping students and learning something new every day. Library work can be challenging because of the many changes - due especially to constantly changing technology - but at least you can never complain about being bored!

2. What's one book you've read recently that you would recommend to others?
Actually, there are two. One is a children's or young adult novel called Wednesday Wars, written by Gary Schmidt, an author and professor at Calvin College who visited Olivet in late March. Not only is the story engaging, but many of the characters demonstrate a great deal of moral courage. The other recommendation is a book of short stories (not all are so short!) by Pulitzer Prize-winning Jhumpa Lahiri called Unaccustomed Earth. While she describes lives caught between cultures of India and the U.S., her stories about families and relationships resonate with readers of any cultural background.

3. What are your thoughts about the Kindle?
Very cool - I'm enjoying mine tremendously. It's convenient and easy to read, but also dangerous, because it's so easy to download more e-books with just one click on Amazon!

4. Outside of work you serve as music director at your church. Why are you involved in this ministry?
It must just be ingrained in me. My father was a pastor and my mother was the church organist and children's choir director for many years. It's truly a spiritual experience to be able to lead a congregation in worshiping God through music.

5. What advice would you give the Class of 2010?
Be true to who you really are and, at the same time, be open to new ideas and new experiences. In trying something new, you learn more about yourself and others - and you may just uncover a hidden talent or passion!

Five on Friday

Featuring Liz Agan, a junior graphic design major

1. Why are you studying graphic design?
I've always loved art and I love computers. The reason I chose graphic design is because it combines two things I love.

2. What would you tell a student who was considering Olivet?
Olivet is a great place to meet new friends for life. I've learned a lot in my art classes that will help me in the real world. Having a Christian environment is a wonderful blessing because I know that my professors care not only about my school work but also about my walk with Christ.

If you are looking to grow in your knowledge and faith Olivet is the place to be.

3. What was it like growing up in a family of three boys?
Crazy. I grew up playing sports and video games instead of Barbies. But I loved every minute of it! :)

4. Classes are over and exams are underway - what do you have planned for the summer?
This summer I am taking classes from Olivet during May term. After that I'm going home to spend much-needed time with family and to finish all the details for my wedding. I getting married in August!

5. Congratulations on the upcoming nuptials! What do you most enjoy about your fiance?
There are so many things I love about him, so it's hard to choose ... He loves Jesus with all his heart and he makes me laugh a lot. :)

Five on Friday

Featuring Ali Hoskins, a junior physical education major

1. How did you end up at Olivet?
I heard about Olivet through one of my best friends from high school. I didn't really have any desire to go to Olivet, but then I came for a visit and felt very comfortable and at ease here. I was surprised by the professors and how much they genuinely cared for you. The staff here is not only tremendously talented but also very solid in their walk with Christ. I appreciate their honesty, willingness to be open, professionalism and caring attitudes.

What also attracted me was the community that Olivet has. I did not discover this at other schools and I very much enjoyed it. So I came for one visit, I liked it and it is conveniently located far enough away from my house to be "away" at school but also close enough to venture home to do laundry. ;)

2. What do you plan to do after graduating?
After graduating I plan to attend the French Culinary Institute in New York City to become a pastry chef.

3. That sounds perfect because we hear you're a fabulous baker! What's your favorite thing to bake?
My favorite things to make are chocolate chip cookies because I have made them so often and people seem to enjoy them. However, I LOVE to try everything new. :)

4. How did you become interested in horseback riding?
I became interested in horseback riding when I was very young. I started riding and working in the stable when I was 8 years old and have been active in it ever since. My mom used to own horses when she was younger, and I used to live on a camp in Wisconsin that had horses that were available to ride. I suppose I became interested in them when I used to sit on them when I was little and thought it was a blast.

5. Summer break is less than a month away. What are you looking forward to doing this summer?
I am looking forward to being outside at the barn all day and riding. I work at horse shows during the summers and help children, young adults and adults as well with their horses and I love my job! I am looking forward to being outside, wearing shorts and flip flops and enjoying the sun.

Five on Friday

Featuring Craig Bishop, director of public safety

1. One of your biggest roles has been to "link" Olivet and the Kankakee County community. Why is collaboration between the two important to your work?
Clearly, the University is a positive part of Kankakee County and all faculty and staff are to be credited with adding value to that relationship. I am honored to have daily relationships with the countywide emergency services community. These relationships prove most valuable as they become collaborative and advance to synergistic.

Shared values and trust are sought on a daily basis so that efforts in an emergency situation are not as reactive. The University has properly communicated appreciation to the emergency services for their preparedness to serve the University; the University has also proven supportive of the emergency services by allowing University resources in emergency situations. The collaborative relationships allow us all to be proactive.

2. Your job has the potential to become very stressful. What sorts of things do you do to wind down?
I very much enjoy working with landscaping, mowing the lawn and all the while listening to music! Reading is relaxing as well as sharing conversation with my wife, family and friends.

3. You will start the Ed.D in Ethical Leadership in May. Why are you interested in this doctoral program?
I am humbled and thrilled to have been accepted into Cohort IV of the Ed.D in Ethical Leadership program. I am a believer in life-long learning and have a strong passion for leadership. My master's degree is in organizational leadership, which only serves to provide more motivation. It seems likely that I will be applying study and research into leadership and collaboration within emergency management. It will prove helpful to my profession and the University. Besides, my wife told me I should get the doctorate!


4. You're about to celebrate your 25th wedding anniversary - congratulations! What's one secret to a happy marriage?
Thank you! The secret to a happy and successful marriage relationship is having a healthy relationship with Christ. Specifically, if a person is humble and surrendered in their relationship with Christ, then they can be selfless enough to actively love another person. Marriage requires caring so deeply about your best friend that you listen emphatically and seek to understand their most intimate need. I thank God daily for my wife and best friend, Joan! Life is great together and we are further blessed to have two wonderful sons, Daniel and Michael.

5. Any Easter traditions or events you're looking forward to celebrating with your family?
We used to celebrate by surprising Dan and Mike with Easter baskets filled with chocolate and a really cool Disney video tape! Things change! VCR tapes change to DVD format. Little boys grow into men! I hope we can be together as a family and share a meal while reflecting on the fact that we have a Savior that has risen!

Five on Friday

Featuring Nancy Dodd, assistant to the chaplain

1. The chaplain's office plays a vital role in the spiritual atmosphere of the campus. How have your experiences within the ministry - as a leader, teacher and pastor's wife - helped prepare you to minister to students as assistant to the chaplain?

I definitely know that God has place me here in the Office of the Chaplain. My past ministry experience, through the local church and district level, have prepared me for the ministry opportunities here at Olivet. My entire adult life has been centered around my walk with the Lord and ministering to teens, women and children in various capacities.

Most of my ministry has been with teens. My husband and I were in youth ministry for many years, and for a period of time during his senior pastor career, I served as a youth pastor separately. I am passionate about learning and growing spiritually, but also about building relationships with students and helping them realize their unique gifts and ways they can be used in the kingdom of God. One of the best ways for this to happen is through the experience of mission trips and Bible studies with peers.

It is a privilege to serve the Lord and Olivet in the area of spiritual development for our undergraduates. I enjoy seeking out speakers who will engage the students and nurture their spiritual growth. The position in which I serve is actually a culmination of my life experiences and abilities. It is a blessing to serve in this way.

2. You're enrolled in Olivet's School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. What are you studying?
I'm currently working on a degree in business administration, and I'm really enjoying it! I graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University many years ago and have been a teacher for my sons. It is a switch to be the student instead of the teacher again, but I'm loving it! I am a life-long learner and am taking advantage of the opportunity to expand my horizons. It is my plan to work on a master's degree in either organizational leadership or ministry next.

3. You home schooled both of your sons. What did you enjoy most about that experience?
The Lord definitely called me to home school my two sons. Originally, I approached it as a "one-year-at-a-time" project ... but it became evident that this was the path for our family. As a parent, I have always taken seriously the idea that God entrusted me with children and have recognized this as the priority in my life. I value the character-building and spiritual influence I was privileged to have by engaging in their lives 24/7.

Academically, I as able to provide a learning environment that was suited to each child's temperament and learning style. The freedom to direct their education was a unique opportunity. Through one-on-one tutorial education, co-operative learning groups, video curriculum and involvement in athletic programs and the local symphony, my sons experienced a lot.

We recognized the world as our classroom and realized that everything is an opportunity to learn. Unit studies followed up with field trips both domestically and internationally.

Now, Tyler will be graduating in May from Trevecca with a degree in business administration. He is currently doing an internship with the North American International Office for Nissan. Tyson is a sophomore music major at Olivet. He currently travels with Olivet's praise band, Before Tomorrow, and is involved in many other music groups as well.

4. You recently traveled to Guyana with 29 Olivetians. Tell us about that experience.
Over spring break, my husband and I traveled with 29 students through Missions in Action to Georgetown, Guyana, South America. It was absolutely incredible - just ask one of the 29 students!

Our host, Rev. Alfonso Porter, the district superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene in Guyana, arranged the ministry site visits. There was such a variety of ministry opportunities. We ministered a few times in the daycare center at the location where we stayed, conducted a training session for the daycare workers from two schools, conducted a single-parent seminar, visited a nursing home to conduct a service, tutored high school students in an after school program, visited an orphanage and ministered to AIDS patients and children in a hospital.

Our first adventure the day after we arrived was a trip to an indigenous church. We had to travel by boat up a river for about 45 minutes to get to the church that was located up a hill. The people were wonderful and we praised the Lord together with them.

We had the opportunity to fly by small chartered planes into the interior of Guyana to visit the Kaieteur Falls, one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world). It was beautiful to hike around in this Amazon basin and be reminded of the power and majesty of our Lord.

Thirty-one virtual strangers left together for 10 days in Guyana. I am happy to report that we returned as life-long friends, bonded in a unique way, fully realizing the changes that God made in each of us as we minstered - and were ministered to - in the beautiful country of Guyana.

5. Why do you enjoy traveling so much?
I have always loved traveling! Even as a child, my family would travel across the U.S. from California and Florida, where we lived, back to visit relatives in West Virginia.

I first became involved at a professional level in the travel industry when my husband and I were planning a trip for our youth group to go to Haiti. The agent I worked with was just opening her own agency and hired me to join in the venture. When I made the decision to stay at home with my sons, instead of leaving the travel business, I brought the business home. I have operated as an independent travel consultant for more than 20 years. The focus of my work has been geared around helping churches, youth groups and districts with their travel plans to go on mission trips. This is one of the reasons my position here at the University is a perfect match for my past experience - I currently make the travel arrangements for our Mission in Action team.

In addition to the ministry opportunities that travel allows, I love to learn about other cultures and see the beauty God created in different countries.

Five on Friday

Featuring Chris O'Brien, network manager

1. What's the role of a network manager?
I manage a team that is responsible for making sure computers (and other devices) can connect and communicate on Olivet's network and with others on the Internet. There are a lot of servers, services and utilities running behind the scenes that require quite a bit of interaction to keep things running smoothly. Most of our time is spent monitoring and working on those.

2. How many spam e-mails do you block from Olivet inboxes on a daily basis?
Between 125,000 and 400,000 messages per day!

3. You and your wife both work at Olivet. How did the two of you meet?
Our stories actually differ a little. We had a Bible class together, but she doesn't remember me from that. I would come to class a half-hour late twice a week due to an overlapping ecology lab, but I must not have made enough of an entrance to be noticed! Some time after that, we both worked as students in the IT department - that is when she remembers meeting me.

4. What are you most looking forward to as spring approaches?
Getting outside and spending a lot more time on one of my favorite hobbies, photography.

5. With a name like O'Brien, do you have any plans to celebrate St. Patrick's Day next week?
Being Irish already, I tend to celebrate that all year round! But I'm sure I'll wear a green shirt and/or tie. :)

Five on Friday

Featuring Marsha Randall, switchboard operator

1. How did you end up at Olivet?
I have been at Olivet for 12 years. I had cleaned Manteno Nazarene Church for several years, but was interested in working at Olivet to help get my boys through college. What I found when I got here was a home with a tremendous Christian atmosphere!

2. You're retiring next Friday. What will you miss most about Olivet?
I will most certainly miss all of the wonderful friends that I have made here while working in several different departments over the years. If I could pack them all up, along with all of Shine.fm, and take them with me, I would do it in a heartbeat!

3. What are your retirement plans?
My husband and I plan to spend much more time with our sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren, who all live in Missouri. We are moving to southern Illinois, which makes us much closer to them and to our mothers, as well.

4. What are your hobbies?
I absolutely love reading Christian fiction. I also enjoy gardening. After we move, I plan to put in a kitchen garden and start canning and freezing vegetables like I did when my sons were little. We have seven pecan trees that will keep us busy. We might even go into the pecan-selling business!

5. If you could give one piece of advice to your replacement, what would it be?
My advice would be to always treat the ONU callers with respect, friendship and - most of all - loving, Christian understanding!

Five on Friday

Featuring Jonathan Bartling '99,
assistant professor of education/director of assessment and accreditation for the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

1. You graduated with a music education degree. How did you end up teaching within the School of Education?
I actually took a job in Olivet's media department while I was waiting for my wife to graduate.

When I started applying for high school choir teaching positions, I had a couple of job interviews and offers. But Dr. Streit called to see if I would consider becoming a faculty member in media, training faculty how to use technology in their classrooms. I said yes, went back to get my master's degree, and then in 2004, a position opened in the School of Education. Been here ever since...

2. But you weren't much of a tech guy before?
No, I hadn't ever been a tech person. I had my mom type papers for me in high school! But since I had taken the Instructional Technology course for my undergrad degree, they thought I could handle it. Now I actually teach that course!

3. How is music still a part of your life?
Even though I'm not teaching music these days, I enjoy getting to still be involved in music. I enjoy singing in the choir, and my wife and I have been involved in Kankakee Valley Theatre productions in the past.

4. Tell us about your family.
My wife, Mindy, and I have one adopted son and one biological son - a shock pregnancy we didn't think was possible - and we are in the waiting process for adopting our third child. We call them Miracle #1, Miracle #2 and Miracle #3, respectively. Our boys are hilarious and keep us crazy busy!

5. Ever get any downtime with your wife?
One of our favorite activities is to eat dinner in Chicago and then head to a Broadway show. We love musical theater and love to eat well - especially in Chicago restaurants!

Five on Friday

Featuring Beatriz Ydrovo, program specialist for the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

1. What is your job at Olivet?
I currently work at the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies as a program specialist. Since we are growing, I would like to perform my best. One of my goals is to do the best that I possibly can in my job. I cannot forget that I am an ESL person, and even though sometimes the language barrier is not the problem, the way I express myself is not the same in English.

2. Where are you originally from and how did you end up here?
I came to America seven years ago because Colombia was suffering an economic recession. I was an accountant working for a coffee company; because of the recession, I got laid off and was unemployed for 17 months.

At that time, my older sister was already living in this country. When she came to Colombia to visit, she encouraged me to come here. That was the main reason I came here, looking for a better life for my daughter and for myself.

3. How has the transition gone to a new country?
Even though it was hard the first couple of years to get used to the different customs and traditions (food!), I really appreciated the fact that God guided me to come to this country because I have found a big family that is Olivet Nazarene University.

4. What is it like to take classes at Olivet as a nontraditional student?
I recently took a college writing class at Olivet and it was a big challenge for me because I am an ESL person. Also, the age difference between the freshman college kids and me was very noticeable! However, I did learn and enjoy the classes. I loved my professor.

For now, I would like to be on standby for my education and focus on my job and my daughter's future. However, I would like to start some account courses later on so that I can have some side jobs as a book keeper, for example.

5. What is your highest goal?
My biggest dream is to see my daughter, Daniela, who is my biggest reward in life, become a nurse. That is what she wants to be. Even though I am a single mother, I will support her as much as I can.

Five on Friday

Featuring Ovid Young '62, artist in residence

1. What is the role of an artist in residence?
Artist in residence is something of an honorific title, I suppose. In most cases, it seems to be given to someone who has spent a significant part of his/her career before a broad public, over a number of years, often internationally. It's usually hoped that some of this "real-world" experience can be passed on to university students whose early years are spent in the cocoon of academe -- absorbing theory and philosophy and acquiring performing skills.

2. You're a pianist, organist, composer and conductor. Is there one role you enjoy more than the others?
I began playing the piano at the age of 5 (when dinosaurs roamed the earth) and, so, have been doing that for much longer than my other professional activities as organist, composer and conductor. My evasive answer to your question is that -- to my enormous delight -- I still have opportunities to do all of the aforementioned and am not yet forced to choose only one! :)

3. You've traveled the world as one-half of the Nielson & Young duo-pianists. What was one of your favorite performance venues?
Over more than four decades, I've had performance experiences in a huge variety of countries and venues, but some of the more unusual sites have included the famed Passion Play Theatre in the German town of Oberammergau, performing with a symphony orchestra from the Czech Republic; the stage of the Academy of Music in Madras, India; the Kremlin in Moscow; and, just a few months ago, in Rome's Basilica of St. Paul's-Outside-the-Wall with the Rome Symphony Orchestra.

4. You and your wife, Laura '62, both attended Olivet. How did the two of you meet?
In the music department -- where else?! Laura, a very good amateur pianist, is now retired from her real career as an elementary education professional.

5. With Valentine's Day approaching this weekend, what's one love song you think sounds great on the piano?
Franz Liszt's "Liebestraume" (Dream of Love); or perhaps the classic American popular song, "Laura," from a great film score.

Five on Friday

Featuring Craighton Hippenhammer, information technology librarian

1. You've lived in a lot of places. How did you end up in Bourbonnais?
After a stint in the Air Force as a first lieutenant during the early 1970s, I earned a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Oregon and spent the next 13 years working as a children's librarian for public libraries in Illinois and Ohio.

My wife, Linda, an RN then, gave birth to two daughters during those years and then decided to go back to school. She finished her pre-med studies at Millikin University and then her MD at Southern Illinois University. We then moved to Cleveland, where she got her residency in radiology. We moved to Bourbonnais in 1987, when she joined a local radiology group as a partner.

2. How has your job change since you arrived at Olivet?
Olivet hired me as reference librarian in the summer of 1991, the same month as Dr. Bowling. I moved eventually to access services librarian and now to informatics librarian.

Olivet got the Internet in January of 1992, and as technology became more and more important to libraries, I stepped up and showed interest, solved techie problems and eventually created a new department that deals with applying information to library needs. This department, library informatics, now has a full-time librarian (me), a full-time assistant and 25 students, mostly lab assistants.

3. What's an exciting aspect of your job?
As a librarian, I get to see the research interests of students and have been impressed by how many Olivet graduates double major.

Research in between traditional disciplines is a growing need and is where the really exciting discoveries are now taking place. Over the last three or four decades, research in computer science has had a profound affect on the way our society operates, and it is likely that the next several decades will bring massive changes due to bioengineering, another interdisciplinary studies subject.

Because of my interest in this, I am currently leading a University committee that is researching and creating documents about what an interdisciplinary studies major might look like at Olivet.

We love this community and we love Olivet - what a great place to serve our Lord!

4. What's one thing you've been able to enjoy doing with your wife?
Linda has made a job change to free herself up to do part-time missions work. Over the last four years or so she has visited and served in more than a dozen different third-world countries, taking radiology services to the poor (she backpacks an ultrasound machine in with her) as a part of Christian NGO teams. I've been able to accompany her on five trips to help with medical logistics and occasionally have been able to help libraries with their technical issues as well.

5. Tell us a little about your family.
Our oldest daughter, Darci, graduated from Olivet in 1995 and then worked on an MA and PhD while teaching high school biology. She now teaches and does research in education at Illinois State University.

Our youngest daughter, Sonda, graduated from college soon after and now is a homemaker in Georgia. Linda and I have great fun spending time with them all - especially our three grandchildren! We're looking forward to a trip south during spring break to hang out with them in a number of places, not the least of which is the Magic Kingdom.

Five on Friday

Featuring Ritchie Richardson, head softball coach and professor of exercise and sports science

1. You're building quite the softball dynasty at Olivet. What is one accomplishment you are most proud of?
I am most proud of the team's accomplishments. Our ONU softball teams have won five NCCAA National Championships and have also been to the NAIA World Series five times.

2. What's one lesson you hope your players learn from you during their time at Olivet?
By preparing themselves to win in intercollegiate sports, I hope they will learn a great deal about group unity, discipline, teamwork, courage and hard work that will help them in their everyday lives.

3. You participate in the Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League. Why do you remain an active baseball player?
I played college baseball and then Men's Major Fastpitch for many years. I still love to compete and, fortunately, am in good enough shape to still be able to do it.

4. What's one thing you like to do with your family in your spare time?
We like to find and try new restaurants around the Chicagoland area.

5. What's one album you could listen to again and again?
"Greatest Hits of the 70s"

Five on Friday

Featuring Bradley Reed, class of 2011

1. How did you end up at Olivet?
Olivet has been a part of my family for quite some time. My parents met at Olivet and started bringing my sisters and me here for Homecoming events at an early age. My older sister, Megan ('09), decided to attend Olivet after high school and absolutely loved it.

By the time my senior year in high school came around, I knew I wanted to go to Olivet. I knew Olivet had all of the opportunities that I desired to be a part of. Most importantly, I knew Olivet would be a place where I would be challenged spiritually and would be surrounded by a body of believers like myself.

Since I've been attending Olivet, my younger sister has started attending and my older sister is starting her graduate work here.

2. You're a member of All Things New. What's the most rewarding part of being on a ministry team?
The most rewarding part of being in a ministry team at Olivet is the opportunity to witness to the teens on Olivet's region. This last summer was the best summer of my life as our band traveled to multiple youth camps. Getting the opportunity to show the love of Christ to kids who are searching has been the best part of my job!

3. How did you become involved in men's club volleyball?
Volleyball has always been a part of my life. I started playing volleyball in my backyard with my sisters and babysitters at a very young age. I started as the setter on my church volleyball team for the first time in 7th grade. Once I realized my high school had a volleyball team, I signed up right away. My junior and senior year, my team went undefeated in the regular season and went to the Indiana state finals both years.

Joining the volleyball team at Olivet was the only option for me. There was no way I would pass up playing my favorite sport here at Olivet! Being a part of the team here has really helped me develop my abilities as a player and as a teammate.

4. What's your favorite winter activity?
My favorite winter activity would have to be snowboarding. This last winter I got to snowboard in Michigan twice. Although I'm not a professional yet, that sure hasn't stopped me from trying to push my limits and to defy gravity!

5. Rumor has it you want to be "the next Brian Allen" [Olivet's vice president for institutional advancement]. Why do you have that particular career aspirations?
I have always thought that Brian Allen has the coolest job in the world. Who wouldn't want to be him? Mr. Allen is the coolest man on campus without a doubt! If I had one wish here at Olivet, it would be to be Brian Allen's personal assistant, just to learn all of the tricks for being the superhero that he is!

Five on Friday

Featuring Mark Holcomb, assistant professor for the School of Theology and Christian Ministry

1. You were recently elected global president of Nazarene Youth International. What is your vision for young people of the Church of the Nazarene?
Well, I'm glad it doesn't just rest on my shoulders. I work with an incredible group of leaders from literally every corner of the world: Bangladesh, South Africa, Germany, Guatemala, Ecuador, Trinidad and Tobago, the Micronesian Islands, Philippines, and of course, the U.S.

We have a shared vision to equip and empower young leaders in the church all over the world. As you might know, the age of the church outside of the U.S. is very young. As a matter of fact, in most corners, they are the church! The youth are the worship leaders, the prayer warriors, the evangelists, the purveyors of social justice - they are leading the church. We don't have to hope they lead; our task is to enable them to lead well.

One of the ways we do this is by trying to create opportunities for them to be together, to be encouraged by being in the presence of each other. We have an event one year from this month called Third Wave. The first was in 2003 in Quito, Ecuador; the second was in 2007 in Johannesburg, South Africa; and next year we'll be in Bangkok, Thailand. We will be sitting around tables, discussing church issues, praying for one another, worshiping in languages we don't know and leaving with new friends.

These new relationships we develop change how we view what happens in places like Iraq, Sri Lanka and Haiti. They aren't just faces; they are our friends.

2. How do you juggle all of your responsibilities as professor, NYI leader and resident director?
I'm not really sure, to be honest with you. I think I do what everyone else does every day: one thing at a time, make the most of every day.

I know one of the things I've neglected and I'm trying to change is the time I take to read. Isn't that usually true about all of us, though? We tend to ourselves last, or taking care of ourselves slides very low on our list of priorities.

In order to keep things balanced, I listen to my wife. She is very good about letting me know when I'm getting out of sync. She is my advocate, and I have learned to listen to her when she speaks. At times, she tends to take better care of me than I do myself.

3. What do you enjoy most about your role as resident director in Old Oak?
Well, I was a youth pastor for 23 years before joining the teaching faculty at Olivet, and I love the incarnational side of what an RD gets to do. I have permission to walk into any guy's room at any time and steal a hunk of brownie, watch a football game or just ask them how they're doing - and they don't think twice about it! I get to do so much more than tell them when their hair is getting too long or when they have missed chapel too many times; I have the opportunity to live among them.

They ask us to pray for them, to go to a basketball game with them, to watch a football game with them; those all create memories that become a little more difficult to come by once I'm not an RD. As an RD you have to be intentional in developing relationships ... believe me, there are some who would be OK with never seeing me! But this position has allowed me to be seen as one of them, at least from the standpoint of living among them. I'm part of their community, literally. I'll miss that.

4. You and your wife just became second-time grandparents. Care to brag about your expanding family?
You bet we did! We have two daughters who are presently doing their part at helping our family grow.

We have a 2 1/2 year old grandson, Brayden Edward Sanders, whose parents are Luke and Kristin '06 Sanders. He recently gained a cousin, Jackson Christopher Bowman, January 7, whose parents are Chris and Kelli '08 Bowman. What makes this fun is that Kristin is expecting her second any day. Terry, my wife, is currently in Texas awaiting the arrival of Bradley Sanders. Needless to say, it's a fun time in our home!

5. What is your idea of a perfect Saturday afternoon?
I wake up, have breakfast with my wife - preferably toad in a hole (eggs fried inside bread). We usually drink our share of coffee, lay around, then get cleaned up for the day. This time of year, there's nothing better than watching an Ohio State basketball game. (In the fall, my whole day revolves around the Ohio State football game, dressed in scarlet and gray!). Then I'll go to an Olivet game, football or basketball. Of course, they'll both win.

These days, it will most likely include a trip to Chicago to visit Jackson. Luke, Brayden's dad, gets out of the Army soon. So if they move closer to us, we will begin the rotation. We're hoping that starts some time in April!

Five on Friday

Featuring Jason Aukerman, web marketing manager

1. How did you begin working at Olivet?
In short, David Pickering and Dennis Seymour rescued me from working retail. I had been managing a local video rental store for several months before a position in IT opened up at Olivet. I worked for the IT department for a year before moving into a position in marketing communications. Olivet has been very good to me and my family, and I feel incredibly blessed to work here.

2. Olivet's first cohort for the Executive Master of Business Administration degree begins soon. Why are you interested in this degree?
I'm still hoping to be accepted into the program - nothing is official yet! I'm excited about this program for a lot of reasons. I knew before I graduated from college that I wanted to continue my education and earn at least one advanced degree. My undergrad degree is in English, and I really feel that working toward a business degree will augment the skills that my undergrad afforded.

The materials that are going to be covered and the discovery-oriented pedagogy is very appealing to me. I'm expecting to make big strides in my professional development while I'm in this program. I can't wait to get started!

3. Your wife is pregnant with baby girl #2. Congrats! What's different this time around?
Oh wow. Lots of things!

For one thing, the first time was planned! This time ... not so much. But we're both very excited in the midst of all the apprehensions that naturally come along with a surprise like this.

Baby girl #1, Brynne, is a year-and-a-half, and I'm amazed by how much she's able to comprehend. She absolutely loves babies and understands (on some levels, at least) that there is a baby in Mommy's tummy. She kisses the baby frequently - it's precious.

Also, this time around we're having a much more difficult time coming up with names. Any ideas are welcome!

Even though this is only our second, you'd think it was our third or fourth watching Karla. She teaches full time and does way more than her share of the housework. I have no idea how she's able to pull off everything she does with a kid on the way! She amazes me. I'm a blessed guy; that's all I've got to say.

4. What's your favorite movie quote?
Wow, this is tough because movies are my hobby. I'll give you five in no particular order.

"People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people." - V for Vendetta

"...the things you own end up owning you. It's only after you lose everything that you're free to do anything." - Fight Club

"Each one of us here today will, at one time in our lives, look upon a loved one who is in need and ask the same question. 'We are willing to help, Lord, but what - if anything - is needed?' It is true we can seldom help those closest to us. Either we don't know what part of ourselves to give or, more often than not, the part we have to give is not wanted. And so it is those we live with and know who elude us, but we can still love them. We can love completely, without completely understanding." - A River Runs Through It

"I always believed it was the things you don't choose that makes you who you are. Your city, your neighborhood, your family. People here take pride in these things, like it was something they'd accomplished. The bodies around their souls, the cities wrapped around those. I lived on this block my whole life; most of these people have. When your job is to find people who are missing, it helps to know where they started. I find the people who started in the cracks and then fell through. This city can be hard. When I was young, I asked my priest how you could get to heaven and still protect yourself from the evil in the world. He told me what God said to His children. "You are sheep among wolves. Be wise as serpents, yet innocent as doves." - Gone Baby Gone

"We are men of action. Lies do not become us." - Princess Bride

5. Tell us how you really feel about the Colts benching their starters.
You're tempting me to write a book, but I'll try to refrain and keep it brief.

I was definitely not happy to see my team bench their starters during the Jets game. I understand the reasoning behind it, but you can't escape from the fact that the Colts were chasing history with their winning streak, and they completely discarded it in front of 63,000 fans.

Tickets for that game were not cheap, nor were they easy to come by. The fans sacrificed a lot to be there and they had every right to voice their discontent at the end of the game. (Personally, I think they're entitled to a refund!) In addition to that, winning that game clearly meant a lot to the team as well. Being forced to ride the pine and watch the game slip away wasn't easy for anyone in white and blue that day.

Bill Polian and Jim Caldwell (owner and coach) have one shot at redemption: win the Superbowl. Anything less is inexcusable after that shenanigan!

Five on Friday

Featuring Megan Skinner '01, coordinator of faculty and student services/graduation specialist

1. What is your role within the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies?
I make all the cohort schedules for each program, order diplomas three times a year, make sure students get their cap and gowns before graduation in May, help answer Blackboard questions, transcript credit hours from other colleges into our students' records ... and plenty of other odds and ends that need to be done!

2. You're a Sunday school teacher, choir member and church board member. Why do you choose to be so active in your church?
I was born and raised at the Manteno Church of the Nazarene and I love everyone who goes there. In regards to being a Sunday school teacher, I had the best youth leaders when I was a teenager and I grew so much in my faith during that time. I know I cannot compare to Todd and Angela Craig, but I hope that my senior high girls can turn to me to be a spiritual leader for them and know that I will always be there to support and encourage them. They have actually inspired and uplifted me so many times over the last couple of years; I am extremely blessed to be a part of their lives.

When I was elected to the Church board three years ago, I felt honored that people trusted me enough to make important decisions for the church. It is so neat to see the inner workings of a church and I enjoy every meeting; no matter how crazy they might be. I love to sing, just not by myself, so choir was the obvious choice. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing church family.

3. You're a former college athlete who still often works out twice a day - training for anything in particular these days?
I actually only work out twice a day once or twice a week to change things up a bit and stay fit. I had knee surgery a year ago after I ran the Chicago Marathon, so really I am just trying to get back to running again. I will never be able to run another marathon, but I'm seriously thinking about another half marathon in a year or two. I have two 5K races in March and April, but after that, I'm not sure what I'll be doing. I've already done a few mini-triathlons, but I am always looking for other venues to compete. I'm up for suggestions!

4. We hear you're a fan of musicals. What's one show you could see over and over again?
I love musicals! Unfortunately, I haven't been to a lot of live shows, but one that I did get to see and would love see again is Wicked. I'm very excited for the Wicked movie to come out in 2010 ... it should be pretty good.

5. What's one thing you're looking forward to doing during your Christmas vacation?
I will be so happy to be done with Christmas shopping ... I HATE shopping. Seriously though, I cannot wait to spend time on Christmas day with my family and watch my niece and nephew open their gifts. I'm also looking forward to seeing friends and just relaxing.

Five on Friday

Featuring David Giove '06, web developer and visual design specialist

1. How do you get to use your art background working in IT?

I do a broad range of design work for IT. I could be creating Web site designs, taking photographs of the campus, or creating dynamic user interfaces with Flash. Flash is a good medium for me to be creative, and yet be the programmer at the same time. My minor in CS combined with my artistic skills and training really help me to bridge the gap between the creative and the (computer) science demands of my job. For instance, I am able to see the needs and limits of a design before I send it to our team of programmers.

That being said, the projects that I tend to enjoy the most are the ones where I use my creative muscles and can lead the creative direction in a design.

2. Other than digital art, what mediums do you like to work with?

I really love photography. Occasionally I will use my skills for family portraits or senior graduation portraits for friends. But I mostly photograph my family and document our lives. I have the equipment to start a darkroom, and I hope to get that set up and running soon. I am also interested in screen printing. I have a four-color screen printing press, and a good friend of mine who has an MFA in printmaking is going to be collaborating a piece with me to print over Christmas break. I am very much looking forward to that.

3. We hear your cubicle is chock full of collectibles. What types of things do you collect?

I truly enjoy Pixar, and a large portion of my cubicle reflects that. I have a cardboard cut out of Buzz Lightyear, as well as figurines from The Incredibles, Cars, Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc. Some are from my youth like Dick Tracy, Star Wars, Ninja Turtles, Rambo, The X-Files, Aladdin and the California Raisins. I enjoy origami, and a bunch of models I have created are hanging out around my desk as well.

4. How did you and your wife meet?

My wife and I were both home schooled, and we attended the same group lessons in upstate NY for a decade or more before we graduated. After our graduation, a group of us home school graduates made it a point to get together regularly. After a while, Amy and I developed a relationship. I soon went off to ONU, some 600+ miles away, and we continued our long distance relationship until we got married the next summer.

In this time, I was in constant contact with her father, in hopes that he would some day soon give me the hand of his firstborn of five daughters in marriage. I made special trips back to NY to talk with him. To give you an idea of what her family was like at the time: Her family had strict rules about where Amy could be, and whose company she could hold at any particular time. Her parents would have her fill out what they called a "flight plan" before she left the house. This sheet would have to be completely filled out and approved with the signature of both parents. It would have the destinations, the company, the phone numbers and the times she would be at each destination. And to top things off, at the time I was really into skulls, chains and electric guitars. You can image what kind of reception her father gave me!

Today we are very happily married with 3 children, Noah (4), Frencesca (2), and Giovanna (1.)

5. What's one Christmas activity you're looking forward to doing with your kids this year?

A few years back, my wife had the idea of spending part of Christmas day in our local hospital, visiting children who were unfortunate enough to be spending one of the most cherished holidays in their care. It has become a tradition for us ever since. We have a giant heart for children, and we like seeing our own little ones serving in this tradition. They take time to look through their rooms for toys they want to give away, and they present them to these hospitalized kids on their own volition. For quite a few years we didn't have extended family in the area, and we loved sharing part of our Christmas day with these kids and their families.

One of the unique things about Christmas for our family this year is that we are not giving and (attempting not to) receive presents. We wanted to make a greater impact with our money, giving our entire gift budget to those who are in need -- especially those in need spiritually. We chose to give to World Vision, using their year-round donation program. Each month over this next year, World Vision will send a card detailing how our money is being used to purchase things like clothing, shoes, emergency food, Bibles, care for an orphan, and more. We will hopefully be able to show our children how our Christmas money has shared God's love with people who need it.

As parents, we strive to make the holiday as meaningful as possible, in spite of our culture. We try to show them that the meaning of Christmas is not presents. It is the gift of Jesus, the God/man who was sent as a gift for a sinful mankind. My happiness for this gift is what I hope to imprint in my children. I am very much looking forward to this project and perhaps newfound tradition.