Making Connections: One Student’s Story

MAKING CONNECTIONS:

t didn’t take long for freshman, Savannah Neisch to settle into college life. The same day that she moved in to Williams Hall, she had her first practice with the junior varsity tennis team. That involvement got her instantly plugged in to life at Olivet. I

Although her college experience has been successful thus far, the road from home was literally and figuratively long and a bit bumpy, and Savannah doubted for a time whether or not all the details would cometogether. Growing up in Forest, Virginia, Savannah attended a Nazarene church with her adopted mother and siblings. She first heard about Olivet when she attended Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) 2015 in Louisville, Kentucky. Four years later at NYC 2019, in Phoenix, Arizona, Savannah was able to connect with her future Olivet roommate. She reflects, “I was nervous about the social side of college life, but establishing a connection before I came to Olivet helped relieve that anxiety a little.” T oward the end of her senior year of high school, Olivet was at the top of Savannah’s list, but she wasn’t sure that financing would work out. She implicitly understood that things of value and substance require an investment of time, effort and resources and she resolved to save money to help contribute to the costs of her education. Receiving her award letter and financial aid package helped fill in the gaps to make her Olivet dream a reality. Befor e enrolling at the University, Savannah and her mom combed through the list of majors in the back of an issue of Olivet The Magazine. She carefully considered options that would allow her to write and communicate, as she has always had a passion for transporting ideas to paper. Olivet initially stood out from other college options because the University also offers a French minor. After taking French throughout high school, she was determined to continue her studies and travel to France one day; which she plans to do through one of the many study abroad opportunities that Olivetoffers. For now , she’s finding a balance between focusing on school and getting involved on campus. In addition to managing her full course load and tennis practice schedule, she holds an on‑campus job with physical plant. Although she’s fully enjoyed the social aspects of Olivet, she relishes a job that allows her to work quietly and independently. As Savannah looks forwar d to the rest of her college experience, she anticipates years full of stimulating classes, life-long friendships and an abundance of new opportunities to experience new joys in the world around her. She says, “My time at Olivet has been a learning experience. The professors are incredibly knowledgeable about the material and are able to engage the students with their enthusiasm and humor. I’m looking forward to the years ahead.” ■

ONE STUDENT’S OLIVET STORY

Savannah Neisch