Showing posts with label the 90s. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the 90s. Show all posts

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Throwback Thursday - 1997


We're always proud of our students -- perhaps never more so than when they volunteer their time to serve others abroad and domestically. Opportunities to serve have long been a part of the Olivet experience -- we recently sent teams out to Argentina and Thailand. In this picture, Jodi Dennis assists with an operation at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini, Swaziland.

(Photo from The Olivetian, Vol. 65, No. 1.)

Friday, May 14, 2010

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.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Throwback Thursday - 1995


We find it difficult to believe that it's once again graduation time on campus. But the bleachers have been put up and the lawn has been marked up and - it has to be said - the campus looks absolutely beautiful as we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2010.

While finalizing plans for this 97th Olivet Commencement, we take a look back at the ceremony of 1995. Above, President John C. Bowling and General Superintendent Paul Cunningham enjoy a moment of quiet before leading the processional.

Congrats to the Class of 2010! Today's graduates are tomorrow's Throwback Thursday participants!

(Photo from The Olivetian, Vol. 62, No. 5)

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Throwback Thursday - 1997


Working late into the night to meet a deadline, GlimmerGlass editor Matt Grills and Andrew Hall finish one last story. While students had been getting work done on computers at Olivet for several years, the 1996-1997 school year did usher in a new era of technology. For the first time, Internet access was available in all rooms. Now 13 years later we're still trying to figure out if Internet access helps students become more productive - or just helps them polish their Facebook status updating skills.

Friday, March 12, 2010

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. :)

Friday, February 26, 2010

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!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Throwback Thursday - 1995


Homecoming Queen Kari Newsham and Julia Roat bundle up to support their Tigers during the 1995 Homecoming football game. While we love the yellow hat and crown combination, we have to ask: Where's the Tiger purple?

Be sure to don your purple and gold if you're heading to Bourbonnais this weekend. You might be able to leave the hats at home, though, as temperatures are expected to reach the low 60s.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Throwback Thursday: 1998


Nothing beats a Midwestern fall — pumpkins, hay rides and, of course, Affy Tapples. The seasonal treats were not only one of the highlights of Fall Feast ’98, they became part of an annual tradition for 90s Olivetians. Here, Camie Martin shows off her stash.

Photo from the 1999 Aurora

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Throwback Thursday - 1993


Mary Atkinson is the epitome of beauty and elegance as she takes her walk as Homecoming Queen 1993. Donning the traditional long, white gown, she and her Court took part in the annual event to kick off the Homecoming weekend.

“It was very much a privilege for me to be elected as Queen,” she said. “It was a time that I’ll definitely remember forever!”

What lifelong memories will be made this year? With Homecoming just more than a month away, see what the weekend has in store for you.

(Photo and quote from the 1994 Aurora)


Thursday, September 3, 2009

Throwback Thursday: 1991

There are some things you just learn to depend on happening every year: the ball dropping on New Year's Eve, flowers blooming in the spring and Olivetians participating in wacky games and relays all in the name of competition. Members of the sophomore class work closely together during a marshmallow relay as part of the University's annual Ollies Follies. But, as is the case more often than not, the senior class became the overall weekened victors.

Have a favorite Ollies Follies memory? Share it in the comments section.

(Photo from the 1992 Aurora)

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Throwback Thursday - 1998

Did you have to take a second glance at the title to make sure we put the correct year? Ok, ok, the hairstyles alone probably proved these students weren't actually from the disco era. Heidi Anksorus, Amy Rickleman, Jaclyn Couch, Jason Holmes, Robert Droese and Rachel Ewing travel back in time as these 90s kids enjoy a 70s party on the quad.

Now ... do The Hussle.

(photo from the 1998 Aurora)

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Throwback Thursday: 1996


The heat already have you down this summer? Think back on this cool memory: Ever the practical joker, Lori Bauer has the tables turned on her at the annual Beach Bash party at Wisner Field.

(Photo from the 1996 Aurora)