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.

Throwback Thursday: 2000

Since both the men's and women's basketball teams are gearing up for CCAC Tournament semifinal action tonight, March Madness has officially set in on campus.

With dozens of conference championships and NAIA Tournament appearances between the men's and women's teams, longtime basketball fans have a difficult time picking favorite Tiger moments. For many, the men's 2000 season stands out, as they marched all the way to the NAIA Final Four.

Above, Zach Freeman, a key player in Olivet's 2000 run and the Tigers' all-time leading point-tallier, plays above the rim during practice.

Throwback Thursday: 2005

Remember when Olivet still offered a surfing major, with courses at the local beach? Man, those were the days.

Actually, Rachel Kring and Abby Hay taveled half-way around the globe for this fun photo opp.

They, along with the rest of the women's soccer team, went to Australia over the summer for an action-packed mission trip. When they weren't hard at work offering soccer camps for local kids, they managed to squeeze in a little beach time.

Photo taken from the 2005 Aurora.

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!

Throwback Thursday - 2004

Wanting to keep a New Year's resolution to get in shape? While some may choose to lift weights or begin a running regime, we sometimes like a more laid-back approach to fitness.

Here, Christina Bouquet and Nikki Classen participate in a stress-relieving game of badminton.

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.

Throwback Thursday - 2001

Yes, some people around here are convinced they've seen the first snowflakes of the season today. While we're not sure we're ready for a white Christmas just yet, we are ready for another holiday tradition.

As we gear up for the 74th annual presentation of Handel's Messiah, this week's Throwback Thursday picture takes us back to the 66th annual performance. The long-running event has become a Christmas tradition for both the University and the surrounding area, as students perform alongside featured community members.

Five on Friday

Featuring Monique Perry '03, graphic designer

1. What is your favorite Homecoming activity?
I've always enjoyed the basketball game. It's great to reunite with classmates and family members who are Olivet grads. I look forward to Homecoming every year.

2. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I either wanted to be a paleontologist or a marine biologist. I loved dinosaurs and sea creatures and still do!

3. What's one movie you could watch again and again?
You've Got Mail. I'm pretty sure I have it memorized, but I always cry at the end! "I just love New York in the fall. Makes me want to buy school supplies."

4. Do you have any Thanksgiving weekend traditions?
Every year since I was a little girl, I would help my mom break up dry bread for the dressing for Thanksgiving. What's more fun than tearing up crunchy bread?!

5. You've always been a swimmer and recently added running to your routine. What motivates you to stay in shape?
Olivet's first annual 5k run, Tiger Tracks, motivated me to start running. It's a great sense of accomplishment to continue to drop time and increase in mileage. I enjoy running most with my sister-in-law, Lauren McClymonds '02. She's a fantastic runner and continues to encourage me to better myself.

When running, I'm reminded of the verse Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." When this verse comes to mind, there is no question I will finish my run and finish strong.

Throwback Thursday - 2005

Michael Remole lends a hand as a member of "Woody's Moving Crew," helping the Class of 2009 move in their belongings. How many times can he handle the trek to fourth floor Chapman?

This weekend, the move-in crews will once again be on hand as the Class of 2013 begins the Olivet journey!

photo courtesy of the 2006 Aurora

Throwback Thursday - 2000

Ben Kumor and Stephanie Quimby hide in the bushes in front of the Bowlings' house. In completely unrelated news: The president and his wife have since moved off campus.

photo courtesy of the 2001 Aurora