UO Shipherd's Record/President's Report Winter 2024

Shipherd’s

RECORD

WINTER 2024

TH E A LU M N I M AGA Z IN E O F TH E U N IVE R SITY O F OLI V E T

MOVING FORWARD PRESIDENT'S REPORT 2023

Shipherd’s

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CONTENTS

Shipherd’s Record is named in memory of “Father” John J. Shipherd, who established The University of Olivet in 1844. The magazine is published twice annually for The University of Olivet alumni and friends.

MAGAZINE STAFF Lisa Collins

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Graphic Designer & Brand Manager

Connor Gilbert

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Digital Marketing Manager

Audrey Helfrich Content Specialist

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Michele McCauley Associate Director of Communications

Colleen Villa Executive Director of Marketing & Communications

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Lori Otto Director of Alumni Engagement

Vicki J. Stouffer, CFRE Vice President for Advancement

EDITORIAL Geoff Henson Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Communcations

GUEST CONTRIBUTOR Maria G. Davis, Ph.D. Professor of Biology

SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTICES TO:

Office of Advancement 320 S. Main St., Olivet, MI 49076 advancement@UOlivet.edu The University of Olivet’s mission is to provide an education that enriches lives intellectually, morally and spiritually to a diverse campus community. Having attained these qualities through their educational experiences at Olivet, our hope is that our graduates will embody the “divine art and science of doing good to others,” as stated by the University’s founding fathers in 1844.

The University of Olivet is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. The University, in its employment, student admissions, recruitment, and personnel policies and practices, will not discriminate against any individual on the basis of age, color, sex, gender identity, disability or disability status, height, weight, marital status, national origin, political persuasion, race, religion, military or veteran status, or sexual orientation.

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Taking the Olivet Experience 7,861 Miles Around the World

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An End to the Waiting Game: Olivet Direct!

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New Programs, Familiar Faces

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The Art of Leadership

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Navigating the College Experience

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Comet Commentary Podcast: The Voice of UOlivet Alums

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Block House is Game Changing for Olivet

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Securing the Future

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Cutler Student Center Opens Doors to Students

DEPARTMENTS 20

Alumni

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Class Notes

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Advancement

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Financials

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Year-In-Review

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Comet Sports

UOlivet.edu

P R E S I D E N T ' S U P DAT E

Dear Friends, Welcome to this special Annual Report edition of Shipherd’s Record. As we’ve come to expect, inside, you’ll find interesting and engaging stories, along with a special 2022-23 year update.

This was a big and historic year as we became The University of Olivet!

When we were founded in 1844, the State of Michigan refused to issue a charter because of our “abolitionist views.” Rather than quitting, our founders decided to become the Olivet Institute, carrying out our social justice and educational mission until 1859, when we were finally chartered as Olivet College. Now, 164 years later, we have evolved again as The University of Olivet. We are a more comprehensive institution, extending our mission to new kinds of students across new and existing programs through new modes of education, in-person and online. We continue to serve residential undergraduates through a highly immersive, relationship-based educational approach here in Olivet, and we’re extending our reach to serve adult and graduate students here, throughout Michigan, across the nation and around the world.

In February 2024, we’ll be 180 years old. We look forward to extending even further the Olivet mission for many years to come.

In 2023, we developed several new programs, including a master's degree in mental health counseling and a bachelor’s degree in social work, ready to launch in 2024. We announced free tuition for many Michigan low and moderate-income students and launched Olivet Direct!, which provides automatic admission for students from partner high schools, community colleges and community organizations. In doing so, we’re busting the myths of affordability and that “college isn’t for you,” just as our founders did so long ago.

Finally, the Fall 2023 incoming undergraduate class was the largest in the last six years and one of the largest in Olivet history!

Great things are happening at your university!

View a special video message from President Corey by scanning the QR code or visiting UOlivet.edu/shipherd-record

Thank you for all you do to make that possible through your interest, involvement and support!

Enjoy this issue of Shipherd’s Record. I look forward to seeing you in Olivet or at a gathering near you in 2024!

Steven M. Corey, Ph.D. President WINTER 2024

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TAKING THE OLIVET EXPERIENCE 7,861 MILES AROUND THE WORLD India is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies with a large and young population. Through strategic partnerships with Indian colleges and universities, Olivet is expanding its reach and reputation. These partnerships give Olivet students and faculty an opportunity to experience one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse countries and provide Indian students networks, resources and access to global trends not otherwise available to them.

In September, President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., Provost Paul Burkhardt, Ph.D., and Special Assistant to the President Danny Green, DMA spent more than two weeks in India discussing academic partnership opportunities. The trip was swift but purposeful, taking Corey, Burkhardt and Green to Bangalore, Mangalore, Maharashtra, Mumbai, New Delhi and Shimla. They participated in 25 meetings with universities, colleges, schools and business leaders and enjoyed opportunities to engage with faculty, students and parents.

“Engaging with our Indian higher education peers, prospective students and families was a remarkable experience. I’m grateful to have had this opportunity to represent The University of Olivet,” said 4

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Burkhardt. “Digital access to education transcends geographical boundaries. With Indian partnerships, Olivet creates a more dynamic and inclusive learning environment. What an extraordinary opportunity to work collaboratively to equip all students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a globalized world.”

Olivet has welcomed residential international students throughout its 180-year history, including students from Bosnia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, India, Japan, Nigeria, Mexico, Sweden and Ukraine, to name a few. However, it is only now that Olivet is prioritizing growth through international partnerships, beginning with the online Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program.

AN INTERNATIONAL MBA The focus on expanding the MBA program is in response to the high regard Indian students and employers place on a graduate degree, particularly one from a U.S. institution.

Photo at top: President Corey and Provost Burkhardt took time to explore India's beauty, culture and history, including this stop at the iconic India Gate.

The digital age has changed the traditional landscape of higher education forever, and countless colleges and universities market online degrees to international students. However, by securing formal partnerships with Indian institutions, Olivet will set the standard for a quality, relationship-based, affordable and flexible MBA experience.

Burkhardt explained, “An MBA from a U.S. institution is considered prestigious and highly valued in India.

Of even more interest and value to our potential partners and students is that our MBA is rooted in liberal arts. Olivet emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving and a global perspective, which employers seek in today’s interconnected world.

Additionally, ingrained in the Olivet program is a relationship-based online experience that fosters personal growth, cross-cultural understanding and adaptability.”

Olivet’s MBA offers four concentrations: a general concentration, accounting, enterprise risk management and, its premier program, insurance.

“An MBA with a concentration in insurance, for example, offers international students in-depth and specialized knowledge in a relevant but uncommon field. The expertise gained from Olivet’s renowned MBA in insurance makes an international graduate highly valuable in India and worldwide. Additionally, an MBA in insurance covers international aspects of the industry, providing students with a global perspective. This can be particularly valuable in an increasingly interconnected world where understanding international insurance practices and regulations is essential,” Burkhardt said.

As of November 2023, Olivet has partnership agreements with five Indian institutions: St. John Technical and Education Campus, Christ Academy, St. Bede’s College, St. Francis Institute of Management and Research and HSNC University.

As a result of the September trip, undergraduate students from India are also expressing interest in enrolling as residential undergraduate students.

KEEPING IT RELATIONSHIP-BASED Mike Lazusky, director of graduate, transfer and online admissions, said, “Olivet is being strategic in the institutions we consider for partnership. It’s important that our international online students have the same personal relationship with everyone they interact with just as our other students do, beginning from the moment they inquire or apply.

These partnerships require careful planning, clear communication and a shared vision. While technology makes it possible for us to offer classes around the world, it still takes a commitment by our faculty and staff to provide the relationship-based experience that is uniquely Olivet.”

The MBA courses are a blended online approach that feature live, interactive video classes where students and faculty interact with each other in real-time or through a "flexschedule," a blended online approach featuring live, interactive, streamed classes. Students also use an educational technology platform for assignments, offline professor interaction, exams and participation in discussion threads and projects, making the experience ideal for international students nearly 10 hours ahead of Olivet’s Eastern Standard U.S. Time zone.

OPENING DOORS As an international partner, Olivet is ensuring it remains relevant in a rapidly changing world while addressing the needs of international students.

“Beginning with India, we are purposely bringing a more internationally diverse cultural and academic perspective to our programs by way of the students we enroll, which is at the heart of Olivet’s mission,” Burkhardt concluded. “These partnerships open doors to a wealth of international opportunities and perspectives for Olivet as an institution and our students to network with a global community of students, alumni and professionals.”

Photo at top: (L to R) Provost Paul Burkhardt, President Steven M. Corey and Special Assistant to the President Danny Green meet with students and faculty at St. Agnes College.

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AN END TO THE WAITING GAME:

OLIVETdirect!

Lansing School District Superintendent Benjamin Shuldiner (left) and UOlivet President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., sign the Olivet Direct!

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For many students, the college admission process is a waiting game. Waiting to see where they get accepted, waiting to see how much financial aid they are offered and waiting to understand how all that impacts their choices and their future.

This past year, Olivet took a big step to help relieve the stress of waiting and provide students with a clear picture. Olivet Direct! is a new admission program that partners with select school districts, community colleges and organizations throughout the state to make the admission process faster and easier for qualified students.

Lloyd McPartlin, assistant vice president of enrollment and director of admission, says the program will draw more interested students to Olivet.

“It will help more students understand that a private college is accessible and affordable,” he said. “That will allow more students to consider Olivet who might not have done so before.”

Direct program students get their admission decision within 48 hours of completing their application. This quick turnaround, coupled with their ADVANTAGE Scholarship designation, gives students immediate knowledge of where they stand with Olivet and how much (if anything) they’ll have to pay. Knowing upfront gives them the power to understand their costs and make more informed decisions.

“There’s a misconception about private colleges, and they can be scary for some families who see them as more expensive,” said Amber Case ’06. Case is the principal of Union City Schools, one of the partner districts. She has noticed an uptick in interest in Olivet since the partnership.

“This program gives Olivet an advantage over other schools where students will have to wait to see what their financial aid package looks like,” Case said. “It moves Olivet to the top of their list because they already know the cost.”

The fast-tracked acceptance process pairs nicely with Olivet’s ADVANTAGE Scholarship. Any student who qualifies for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship ($4,000) and is Pell-eligible receives free tuition to Olivet. Other students receive reduced tuition depending on their family’s income.

“I think this program will help create a more diverse environment on campus,” McPartlin said. “It will allow more students to feel at home as we build up populations from schools that haven’t considered Olivet in the past.”

Bangor Public Schools was the first district to partner with Olivet and had four students enroll this past fall thanks to Superintendent Lynn Johnson, who happens to be a 1986 graduate of Olivet. One of those students, social work major Marrissa Legon ’27, says learning about her ADVANTAGE scholarship so quickly helped her make a decision.

“Olivet is a good fit for me because it has everything that I need to be successful.

I wanted to get the full college experience.”

- Marrissa Legon ’27, Bangor High School graduate

“I saw that I wouldn’t have to pay as much,” Legon said. “I chose to attend Olivet because I liked the small community.”

Launched a year ago, the program has already grown.

The 14 current Olivet Direct! partners include Kellogg Community College, Glen Oaks Community College, Bangor Public Schools, Bellevue Public Schools, Bloomingdale Public Schools, Cadillac Area Public Schools, Charlotte Public Schools, Lansing Public Schools, Marshall Public Schools, Olivet Community Schools, Potterville High School, Traverse City Area Public Schools, Union City Public Schools and the Women’s Innovative Social Enterprise Partnership (W.I.S.E.).

As an alum, Case understands how an Olivet education can impact a student's career prospects.

“We know our students well and what they’re looking for, so we tailor experiences and information to meet their needs,” she said. “Olivet would be a good fit for what they’re used to.”

Olivet believes a family’s financial situation should never be a barrier to higher education. Programs like Olivet Direct! and the ADVANTAGE Scholarship prove The University is still dedicated to its core principle of doing good to others and offering an excellent education that is inclusive to all.

Despite Michigan’s population decline, last fall Olivet welcomed its largest incoming class in five years. McPartlin and the admission team hope to continue that trend as they spread the news of Olivet’s new direction. “We need to continue to build on our success,” he said. “This is just one way we’re doing that.”

Olivet is moving toward the future by taking steps to bring in more students and providing an excellent education that focuses on their needs. And it’s getting noticed.

“Olivet is a good fit for me because it has everything that I need to be successful,” Legon said. “I wanted to get the full college experience.”

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NEW PROGRAMS, FAMILIAR FACES:

Alumni Return to Create New Academic Programs in Counselor Education and Social Work

By Maria G. Davis, Ph.D. Alumni Dr. Dennis Frank and Dr. Brittany Turner each had impactful personal experiences at Olivet College that helped shape their career paths. They have returned to what is now The University of Olivet to share their wisdom and expertise with current and future students as the founding faculty of new academic programs in counseling and social work.

Frank

Frank, a 1994 alumnus who went on to earn his doctorate in counselor education, is the director of The University’s new online Master of Arts in Counseling program. He credits his Olivet experiences for the development of his deep personal commitment to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Frank went on to become a counselor and then an academic whose recent work has centered around LGBTQ issues in counseling and counselor preparation. “Because I knew so clearly how my experience at Olivet had impacted the start of my career, the idea of being able to come back really appealed to me,” Frank said.

Turner, a 2015 alumna who went on to earn her doctorate in social work, is the director of The University’s new online bachelor’s degree program in social work. Along her path back to Olivet, she worked as a mental health professional in the corrections system and at several Turner medical organizations, including the Mayo Clinic. Turner credits her Olivet experience and especially her professors as having an incredible impact on her and her career choices. Turner said, “I really appreciated the one-on-one attention and the individual mentoring when I was a student. Now, I am able to offer that same kind of support to the students here.”

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Turner and Frank are ensuring that the social justice values they began to hone as Olivet students are intrinsic to the new programs they are launching. Foundational courses leading to the bachelor’s degree in social work include learning goals in advancing human rights and social, racial, economic and environmental justice. Turner shared, “The main values of social work are social justice and overall individual well-being. In social work, service goes way beyond service day.”

The Master of Arts in Counseling program integrates issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) throughout the program coursework. It also includes an innovative learning experience called the Equity Counseling Academy (ECA); it is part of a two-week residential experience in which students explore diversity issues within a counseling practice. Frank shared, “Of course we will talk about DEIB issues in the ethics course, in the social and cultural diversity course, in research. But we’re going to spend specific time in the ECA focusing on topics, issues and approaches to working within diversity as counselors.”

The University of Olivet’s Vision 2030 Strategic Plan sets a goal of serving more students in different audiences by expanding adult and graduate enrollments in a way that is consistent with Olivet’s historic mission. Provost Dr. Paul Burkhardt shared his observation that the new counseling and social work programs are staying true to Olivet’s values. “The social justice commitments of the new counseling and social work programs signal we are in alignment with what we were doing as an institution in 1844,” said Burkhardt. “Through these programs, we are working toward

THE ART OF LEADERSHIP “I really appreciated the oneon-one attention and the individual mentoring when I was a student. Now I am able to offer that same kind of support to the students here.”

By Maria G. Davis, Ph.D. Dr. Kelly Corey, professor of business, is a capacity-builder, a change-facilitator and an experienced leadership consultant and educator.

She is also the founding director of the Master of Arts in Leadership program, another exciting new graduate degree under development at The University of Olivet.

- Dr. Brittany Turner ’15, director of UOlivet's online bachelor's degree program in social work

a more socially just and sustainable world by how we are preparing our students to enter the helping professions.”

As Olivet continues to evolve and grow into a more comprehensive and increasingly relevant institution of higher education, we remain true to our roots.

We are deeply thankful that alumni Dr. Brittany Turner and Dr. Dennis Frank have returned to inspire the next generation of students at The University of Olivet.

Corey

According to Corey, the Master of Arts in Leadership will empower learners to create positive change in organizations, governmental agencies and communities by equipping them with the skills to bring people together around common goals to achieve a shared vision.

Corey shared, “It all starts with someone asking, 'Is there a way we could. . . ?’ Then there needs to be someone who leads the conversation to create a shared vision and gets people moving together toward that common goal. In any discipline or field, that has to happen to bring about positive change.”

The new master’s in leadership is designed to prepare its graduates to do just that.

The curriculum consists of six core courses, four courses in a concentration and a capstone action project. The initial concentrations will be in Sport Coaching Leadership, Non-Profit Leadership and a broadly applicable concentration in Creativity, Innovation and Change.

“The master’s in leadership program is about creating an ecosystem that builds leaders,” said Corey. Relationships, trust and courage are at its foundation, just as they are at The University of Olivet.

Individuals interested in learning more about the Master of Arts in Leadership Program may contact Dr. Kelly Corey at KCorey@UOlivet.edu.

For information about graduate, transfer and online programs at The University of Olivet, contact Mike Lazusky, director of graduate, transfer and online admissions at MLazusky@UOlivet.edu.

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NAVIGATING THE

COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Students are encouraged to meet with First Year Navigators Marah Heikkila '20 and Steve Critchlow '06 to talk about anything they need assistance with during their first year of college.

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The University of Olivet has always valued students as individuals first and provided an education that enriches their lives through building long-lasting relationships. For many students, however, trying to adjust to the flow of college life and finding connections on campus during their first year can be a struggle. Trends at colleges across the country show that incoming students experience high levels of stress and anxiety. This can be amplified due to economic factors, first-generation status and residual pandemicera social anxiety.

By launching a new First-Year Experience program, Olivet is taking a big step to help address these issues. The program utilizes First-Year Success Navigators to guide new students through their initial year on campus.

Marjorie Newman, director of student transitions and academic success, oversees the pilot program within the Office for Student Development. “Developing relationships with incoming first-year students helps retain them,” she said. “It puts the supports in place for their success.”

Olivet has always supported first-year students, but this new format formalizes the program with a department and provides more structure and consistency. The First-Year Success Navigators become a crucial go-to person for students that can catch issues before they become bigger problems.

“It shows students we care about them as individuals and are investing in them. Their concerns, needs and wants are valid,” said Marah Heikkila ’20, who is one of the new navigators along with Steve Critchlow ’06.

For Heikkila, it was the right job at the right time. She had experience working with first-year students at other colleges, but was back at Olivet as an adjunct instructor of writing and a writing center consultant.

She was looking for a position where she could help students, be a mentor and teach. “I feel like I’m back at home,” she said. “I love this small community.”

Critchlow spent 15 years teaching and coaching in the public school system. He was happy to see that Olivet is still the place he remembers. “The atmosphere is still outstanding on campus,” he said. “It’s welcoming and respectful.”

The former program was a class called Self and Community. It was taught by professors and only in the fall. The new format is a two-course sequence that spans the full year: Comet Experience in the fall and Comet Community in the spring.

The fall class focuses on adjusting to college. Students learn about self-regulation, time management and how to find a sense of belonging on campus. The navigators help students understand Olivet processes and technology, provide academic advising and major exploration and help them understand what Olivet services are available to them.

“There’s such a big need to support people right now — anxiety is common, depression is common,” Critchlow said. “It’s an absolute joy to help students wherever they’re at.” All this helps students create healthy habits that fuel their success throughout their entire four years at Olivet.

In the spring Comet Community class, students learn how to engage respectfully in challenging discussions with their peers who have different perspectives. They focus on effective collaboration, critical thinking and global awareness. By spending a year getting to know the students, the navigators can support and encourage them while also challenging them.

“I love when students share their successes with us,” Heikkila said. “It’s amazing to see them grow.”

A Title III grant designated for student support services made the First-Year Success Navigators possible. The program's goal is to increase student retention, but it’s more than that.

“The program will improve the campus atmosphere — less confusion, less anxiety,” Heikkila said. “Students with good experiences will come back. So, it’s good for the overall student body.”

The navigators engage with the entire campus by giving presentations and hosting workshops, providing resources and study plans and addressing Comet concerns. They are a valuable resource to all students on campus and a place to go for help.

“We support the whole student. The Office for Student Development is the place to go if you don’t know where to go,” Newman said.

The first semester of the new First-Year Experience has gone well. The navigators feel connected to the students, students have taken advantage of their support and progress is being made. Olivet has always known that building strong relationships is the foundation for a transformative educational experience. But to get there, students need to find their footing that first year and stay connected.

“It’s valuable to be in this position to stand with them in their struggles and rewarding to see them come through,” Critchlow said. “What was poured into me during my time at Olivet, I try to translate to the first-year students. I’m here to stand with them as they find their way to success.”

Ultimately, that’s the goal — to help more students take advantage of the amazing opportunities an Olivet education provides and become empowered to go out and do good for themselves and the world.

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Imagine More.

Sometimes, life gets so busy we lose track of the things that can help get us ahead.

Imagine more for yourself. Imagine more for someone you know.

At The University of Olivet, our online degree programs are built with the flexibility busy adults need to balance life and work responsibilities.

Online MBA Whether you want to take your career to new heights or start on a new path, The University of Olivet’s online Master of Business Administration (MBA) provides options to help you achieve your goals. An MBA degree can open doors for you, including: • A higher salary.

• Advancement to an executive-level position.

• Increased opportunities in an everevolving job market.

• Leadership team appointments that require high-level problem-solving skills.

Online Master of Arts in Counseling Clinical mental health counselors promote positive change in our communities. The University of Olivet’s online Master of Arts in Counseling program incorporates equity, difference, inclusion, and belonging in counseling and prepares socially-just, culturally competent clinicians.

• Gain the skills to provide clinical counseling services effectively.

• Learn to provide competent assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning.

• Develop an understanding of the counselor’s role in social justice advocacy.

• Take part in the Equity Counseling Academy, a student development program focused on theories and practices of equitable and inclusive counseling.

Four Concentrations • Accounting

• Enterprise Risk Management • Insurance • General Concentration

Eight Week Terms

Olivet offers eight-week terms that start in August, October, January, March and June, allowing you to begin your MBA when the time is right for you!

Ask about the UOlivet alumni MBA tuition discount!

LEARN MORE UOlivet.edu/academics

Online Degree Completion Catering to both traditional students and those returning to academia after a hiatus.

• Business • Bachelor of Science in Nursing • Bachelor of Social Work • Criminal Justice • Integrative Studies • Psychology

MIKE LAZUSKY Director of Graduate, Transfer and Online Admissions mlazusky@UOlivet.edu | 269-749-6612

COMET COMMENTARY PODCAST:

The Voice of UOlivet Alums Podcasts are part of mainstream media and continue to grow in popularity. The recordings are accessible, convenient and ideal for today's digital audiences. The UOlivet alumni office is teaming up with media production and communications program (MPC) students to develop and produce Comet Commentary, a podcast dedicated to the voices of our alumni.

“Comet Commentary will be an excellent way to record and archive the history of Olivet and provide opportunities for current students to learn from alumni stories and interviews.

It’s intended to foster community, celebrate achievements and maintain alumni connections worldwide,” said Lori Otto, director of alumni engagement.

Many enthusiasts see podcasts as an alternative to radio, allowing listeners to pick and choose what and when they'll listen. "What makes podcasts unique is they allow listeners to absorb new information or relax without needing a visual aid. People can enjoy their favorites anywhere at any time, such as during a car ride or working out at the gym," said MPC senior Brielle Broderick.

Each month, a new episode of Comet Commentary will be available for streaming.

Every episode will center around a unique theme or diverse topic. The podcast will allow alumni to reminisce about their days at Olivet and share their post-graduation career path.

Broderick and other MPC students will produce the podcast and are already editing recordings

and conducting alumni interviews, giving students realworld experience they can put on their resumes and use in their careers.

Alum Barron Evans '77 was among the first to record for Comet Commentary. When asked why other alumni should participate in the podcast, he said, "In a world where we're often geographically and attitudinally so different, there's one common bond that holds us all together: our time at Olivet."

Corey Hricovsky '19 added, "It used to be several buddies sitting in a room and someone would say, 'Hey, let's start a band.' Now I'm hanging out with my buddies, and someone says, ‘Hey, let's start a podcast.’

Podcasts have liberated audiences from appointmentbased radio broadcasts with on-demand streaming and appeal to more niche subjects."

Podcasts are about making connections. What better way to connect with fellow Olivetians than through Comet Commentary?

LISTEN TO COMET COMMENTARY NOW! This first podcast episode features alums, including Michael Ryan ’07, Tom Kolassa ’69, and Carla Rogers ’77, sharing their experiences about being thankful for Olivet. Scan the QR code or visit UOlivet.edu/cometcommentary to listen.

For more information, email alumnirelations@uolivet.edu or call 269-749-6628.

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Team members FruitSnack26, Vision, nikesaints, Mrs. Kubic, fatherdarhower, nonjo, Clue, Will2Win, Colintheshots, Lunar and Shrodog take game days seriously. They don their team jerseys, come prepared to win, scout out the competition, analyze the stats and cheer each other on during the action. And like all teams, they have nicknames; only in this case, the monikers are “gamer tags,” and the players are all members of the new Olivet competitive esports team that launched in the fall.

is Game Changing for

OLIVET

COMPETITIVE ESPORTS COMES TO OLIVET The esports team is part of the UOlivet athletic department. Coach Elizabeth Layton had no problem recruiting a co-ed roster of 19 for the fall season, with gamers from first-year students to seniors. As one of the many University performance and participatory programs, esports gamers will be eligible for a renewable $2,000 scholarship.

The team finished its inaugural fall season with a respectable 11-11 record. In addition to facing off against other Michigan Division III teams, Olivet competed virtually against collegiate teams in Maine, Iowa, Arkansas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Rhode Island and other states. Games include Smash Bros, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Rocket League, Valorant and Rainbow 6.

Photo Courtesy of Block House 14

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"It feels great to be a member of the first Esports team at Olivet,” said first-year student Ethan Weever. “It’s like almost any other sport. You learn to love the people around you like family. The best part of the fall season for sure is seeing all of the talent that the players have and improving our skills to play at an even higher level.”

Competitive esports gaming is booming on college campuses. It’s one of the most inclusive and diverse competitive sports, where gender, ethnicity, language of choice, age, neurodivergent, ability differences and more don’t matter. It’s the love of the game that counts.

The University of Olivet, Adrian College, Albion College, Alma College, Calvin University and Trine University united to create the Michigan College Block House Esports League (BEL). Acting as a network for colleges and high schools in the area, the league is unique to the region. It aims to foster local rivalries, bolstering the spirit and camaraderie that Division III schools have long celebrated.

OLIVET BLOCK HOUSE IS HIGH-LEVEL ESPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT SPACE The spring competitive season will be extra thrilling for UOlivet fans because the playoffs will take place at the Olivet Block House, the team’s new home turf. Business partners Anthony Collamati and Nicholas Lux leased the former Lamplighter restaurant from The University. They renovated the building from top to bottom, inside and out, to create a welcoming and contemporary community gathering space with a restaurant, bar, entertainment and high-level esports space.

referencing the continental servers that often group gamers together.

The competitive gaming space is arena-style to showcase a gamer’s talent, just like any other sport.

The high-level gaming systems support competitive and recreational esports, including racing simulators, console gaming, high-end gaming PCs, streaming stations, virtual reality, a professional competition stage, and production equipment thinking switcher.

Coach Layton said, “Block House’s facilities are a game changer for high school and collegiate esports. The opportunities the Olivet location will bring are limitless, both to the esports ecosystem and the local community.

And, thanks to the efforts of Nicholas and Anthony, the Michigan College Block House Esports League offers Olivet and other Michigan Division III institutions a platform to compete and our gamers can be recognized for their remarkable talent.”

Collamati and Lux are also developing internship opportunities for Olivet students interested in the esports and entertainment industries.

Olivet’s Block House is the second developed by Collamati and Lux. The first opened in Alma in the historic Wright Leppien Opera House in 2020 in partnership with Alma College.

“This project was a tremendous undertaking, and the result, Block House, is now an unbelievable space,” said Ryan Shockey, vice president and chief of staff. “The University of Olivet and Block House have a shared mission of creating an inclusive community where people can come together around a common interest and enjoy being present. Nic and Anthony’s business and entertainment model is perfect for our students and the community of Olivet. We look forward to our continued partnership with them and everyone associated with Block House.”

Having a dedicated space for the fast-growing esports phenomenon puts the Olivet community and The University in the spotlight. Block House will attract visitors throughout the region, making Olivet a destination for entertainment and bringing vibrancy to the local community.

Senior Leah Alfaro said, “I enjoy competitive esports because it brings a wide variety of people together that share a common interest. Block House will bring everyone together. We are blessed to have a facility like this nearby. It opens many opportunities for the team and the people of Olivet.”

Gamers and nongamers will enjoy the spirited atmosphere. Sections of the space are dedicated to the dining-only crowd, different gameplay types and spectators. The menu is globally inspired cuisine from three continents, the Americas, Asia and Europe,

Construction photo of Block House - Nov. 2023

EXPERIENCE BLOCK HOUSE Scan the QR code or visit UOlivet.edu/expanding-olivet for a virtual look inside Block House!

WINTER 2024

15

SECURING THE FUTURE:

Olivet Receives Major Grant Funding to Build Stronger Degree Completion Support for Students

By Maria G. Davis, Ph.D.

When Dr. KayDee Perry, Ed.D., joined the Olivet faculty in 2012, she quickly became beloved by students for the deep care and concern she showed them and the supportive approaches she used to help them succeed. Now, as associate provost for student development, Perry and her team have developed a comprehensive student success strategy and secured significant resources to promote success for all students at The University of Olivet.

Like many institutions, Olivet has discovered that today’s students have different needs than they did even just a few years ago. “As we dug into who the post-pandemic student is, we discovered that they are increasingly complex in what they need to be successful in college,” said Perry. “The relationshipbased learning model that we use at The University of Olivet requires us to know each student individually and to meet them where they are to get them to graduation.”

Using an artificial intelligence “chatbot” affectionately known as “Clyde” that periodically texts questions to students, the student development team collects information to determine who is struggling or who may be at risk of dropping out. Based on the data collected from the chatbot and other sources, the student development team is designing a comprehensive student support approach that will better care for today’s students along their path to graduation.

The newly launched student success strategy has numerous elements, including: • Using cutting-edge technology, such as the chatbot, a new social media app specifically for University students, and adopting a new learning management system, Canvas, that improves the faculty-student learning interface.

• Increasing high-impact student engagement practices, such as two first-year experience courses, and broader attention to personalized advising and career mentoring.

• Expanding the availability of online degree completion programs so prospective and former students can finish their coursework at a distance and graduate from Olivet.

16

SHIPHERD’S RECORD

• Employing student success and career navigators who directly assist students and expand their support network.

• Providing professional development for staff so they are better prepared to meet student needs.

Together, the elements of this strategy will increase student retention in the first year and beyond and will lead to increasing the ultimate measure of a student’s success in college — finishing their degree.

As one might expect, this expansive and innovative approach to increasing student degree completion requires a significant investment of time, talent and treasure. So, Perry set her sights on securing grant funding from two government funding sources to support the work.

The Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) is a federal grant program for colleges and universities that serve a high proportion of financially needy students or students who are educationally disadvantaged or underrepresented in postsecondary education.

Since its founding, Olivet has had a strong commitment to serving students in these groups.

For example, currently over 50% of Olivet students are Pell eligible, the federal measure of high financial need.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. -César Chávez-Rosa Parks (KCP) Initiative is a State of Michigan grant program that seeks to increase the number of academically or economically disadvantaged citizens who complete a college degree. Over 95% of Olivet’s current students come from Michigan.

Through the work led by Perry and with the direct support of student development assistant Courtney Wirt, The University of Olivet was awarded $2.2 million in funding through the SIP program and over $550,000 in KCP funding, for a total of nearly $2.8 million in support of student success over the next six years. The grant funding allows The University to immediately launch the innovative student success plan, thereby more quickly securing our students' futures.

When asked what she is most excited about being able to do with the grant funding, Perry shared she was excited to bring on the first Student Success Navigators this fall as well as welcoming the additional Student Success and Career Navigators next year. According to Marjorie Newman, director of student transitions and academic success, the close relationships the success navigators build with their students in the first-year experience classes are priceless. Newman said, “We want the navigators to be each student’s ‘go to’ person for solving challenges their first year. With the navigators in place, the faculty will be able to spend more time working with students in their curricular area and on academics.”

“The award of these grants is a credit to the work being done and our vision as an institution to move us and our students forward,” Perry said. Newman added, “When our alumni are talking to their kids or grandkids about Olivet, we want them to be able to say, ‘I want you to go where I know you will be supported.’”

The University must contribute to or match the SIP and KCP grant components. To support student success efforts at The University of Olivet, contact Robin Hinman, assistant vice president for advancement, at RHinman@UOlivet.edu or 269-749-7162.

Dr. KayDee Perry, associate provost for student development (left) and Marjorie Newman, director of student transitions and academic success, get to know students on a personal level to ensure the individualized support students desire is offered.

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Construction photos of the Cutler Student Center - Nov. 2023

18

SHIPHERD’S RECORD

CUTLER STUDENT CENTER

OPENS DOORS TO STUDENTS Olivet students had a welcome surprise — and an experience they’ll never forget — when they returned to campus in January after the winter break. They were the first UOlivet students to walk through the doors of the long-awaited Cutler Student Center.

The much-anticipated Center stands between Blair and Shipherd halls and is the first building on campus that is entirely social in design. Featuring open, adaptable spaces that encourage students to gather, interact and connect, it is a space intended to benefit all students, providing a sense of belonging equally to every student who walks through the doors.

"I’m excited that we have something on campus that allows students to get out of their rooms that’s not related to classes or studying. And moving some of the student engagement offices into the student center will be convenient for students,” said senior Lilyan Pastor. “And as a commuter student, it’s nice to have a place where I can spend more time on campus with my friends. The Student Center will give commuter students that feeling of being at home while on campus.”

• Multi-purpose conference room • Student Government Association office and meeting space • Department of Student Engagement offices • Campus Safety office At the May 2022 groundbreaking, then-SGA president Elijah Collins ’22 said it ideally, “Olivet is our home. We have our bedrooms in the dormitories. We have our kitchen in the Kirk Center. … Now, we’ll have our living room.”

The University invested $21 million into the 35,000 square foot building. The project was funded through a USDA Rural Development Loan and donor gifts.

Generous supporters of the Vision 2030 Fund are being recognized in spaces throughout the Cutler Student Center. To learn about recognition opportunities, email Advancement@UOlivet.edu or call 269-749-7535.

The building’s centerpiece is a rotunda and fireside lounge. The Center has a lounge area, dining and activity spaces, and the following:

INSIDE CUTLER STUDENT CENTER

• “Tu Taco” dining, beverage and dessert station option

Scan the QR code or visit UOlivet.edu/expanding-olivet for a virtual tour of the Cutler Student Center.

• Spirit store • Mailroom • Meeting spaces for student clubs and organizations

WINTER 2024

19

ALUMNI

Letter from the Director of Alumni Engagement

Happy New Year, Olivet Alums!

We have had many exciting alumni events over the past six months.

In June 2023, we spent a fantastic weekend on Mackinac Island, experiencing the lilac festival, exploring, shopping, biking, congregating at the cocktail reception and breakfast and enjoying the sip and sail cruise. We also had a spectacular cocktail reception at the Detroit Athletic Club. We spent time at the Grand Rapids and Lansing ballparks in July and August, watching baseball and creating connections with alumni.

September marked our first visit to the Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor.

There were many activities to celebrate Homecoming in October, including a beautiful evening at the Battle Creek Country Club recognizing our Young Alumni, Distinguished Alumni and Hall of Fame inductees. November wrapped up our 2023 events with a visit to Potter Park Zoo to enjoy the Winter Wonderland of Lights.

That was a LOT of fun in just six months!

You are missing out if you have not attended an alumni event yet!

These activities are a chance to reconnect with friends, make new connections, visit faculty members and hear about exciting University updates. This year’s Alumni Council focus is increasing alumni engagement and encouraging all to reconnect and interact with The University in various ways. Please respond positively when a council member reaches out to you about how you can be more involved!

Check out upcoming alumni events!

UOlivet.edu/events

We have some fantastic activities planned for 2024, starting with a K-Wings Hockey game in January. In February, we will cruise the coast of Florida and join Walt Parker ’58 for his annual dinner in Ocala. We will visit the Butterfly Exhibit at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in March, host a cocktail reception in Chicago in April, return to the Detroit Athletic Club in May and go on a sunset cruise in Northern Michigan in June. We’ll also be back at the ballpark to watch the Lugnuts in July.

Event descriptions and registration information are included in our monthly alumni e-newsletter. If you aren’t receiving the e-newsletter, please get in touch with the alumni office at alumnirelations@UOlivet.edu or 269-749-6628. Event information is also posted at UOlivet.edu/events. Alums, family and friends are encouraged to attend.

I look forward to seeing you at an alumni event soon!

Lori Otto Director of Alumni Engagement

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SHIPHERD’S RECORD

Congratulations

2023 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI & HALL OF FAME HONOREES DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI JULIA MIKLUSICAK ’21 Julia Miklusicak graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in social work. She serves as a foster care specialist at Youth Guidance Foster Care & Adoption. Julia plans to advance her studies by pursuing a master’s degree in social work. Julia continues to live by Olivet’s mission; her agency’s mission is to better the futures of children and families regardless of their backgrounds or life situations.

Julia is dedicated to helping others morally, spiritually and intellectually throughout diverse communities in Michigan, something she learned from Olivet.

JALEN WEAVER ’15 Dr. Jalen Weaver, a doctor of physical therapy (DPT), resides in Detroit.

Driven by a passion for healthcare and rehabilitation, Jalen pursued an additional bachelor’s degree in health science and a doctorate in physical therapy at Wayne State University.

Beyond his clinical practice, Jalen actively engages with the Detroit community, providing pro bono services and serving as a clinical instructor to local physical therapy and physical therapy assistant schools.

CLOYCE DICKERSON ’87 Cloyce Dickerson boasts 25+ years in the healthcare sector. Recently, as an executive with Linus Health, his efforts are directed toward early Alzheimer’s intervention with the vision to shield families from the devastating emotional toll it can take. His tenure as the area vice president of Baxter’s Digital Health team is marked by successfully positioning Baxter as a formidable player in the digital health sector. Further enriching his career at Baxter, Cloyce presided as the inaugural president of the Black Professional Alliance, a significant entity bolstering the engagement and development of African American talent within the company.

DAVID LABRECQUE ’84 David Labrecque had a 37-year career in sales, sales training and sales management. He joined the pharmaceutical industry in 1987 and completed the master’s program with the CMR Institute in 1994. Committed to community service, David has volunteered for food banks and charities and chaired the Sherman Lake YMCA board, receiving accolades for his leadership. At Olivet, he founded "Friends

of Olivet," which supported the reinstatement of wrestling, has served on the board of trustees for 13 years and cofounded the President’s Leadership Institute.

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME KRISTY (LATIMER) BARBER ’07 Kristy (Latimer) Barber earned four varsity letters on the women’s golf team.

She was a three-time All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) selection, earning secondteam honors in 2003 and first-team honors in 2005 and 2006. Kristy was the MIAA Most Valuable Golfer in 2006 after posting an 85.3 stroke average over the four-league jamborees. Kristy’s performance in 2006 helped the Comets win the MIAA Championship and earn Olivet’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championships in May 2007.

THOMAS SEXTON ’80 Thomas Sexton was a four-year starter and four-time All-MIAA selection on the football team. He earned first-team honors in 1979 and second-team honors in 1976, 1977 and 1978. Thomas, the team’s most valuable defensive player in 1979, recorded 115 tackles, including 21 quarterback sacks. He was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week twice, the first time after tallying 15 tackles during a 13-7 win over Monmouth College (III) and the second time after registering eight solo tackles, including five sacks, during a 42-21 loss to MIAA champion Hope College. In addition to football, Thomas was a letter-winner on the wrestling team.

1983-84 WRESTLING TEAM Under the guidance of head coach Jare Klein, the 1983-84 wrestling team finished the season with an 18-2-1 overall record and captured Olivet’s 10th MIAA wrestling championship.

Seven wrestlers earned All-MIAA honors: Dan Pantaleo (142), Mike Pantaleo (126), Richard Goodman (134), Dale Sharrard (150), Bob Kintz (158), David Labrecque (167) and Sam Hargrove (unlimited). Five of the seven All-MIAA wrestlers qualified for the 1984 NCAA Division III National Championships. Backed by Dan’s championship at 142 pounds and David’s fourth-place finish at 167 pounds, Olivet was ninth in the final team standings.

WINTER 2024

21

Welcome Home

HOMECOMING 2023 THE UNIVERSITY OF OLIVET

Oct. 20-22 / HIGHLIGHTS

Scan the QR code or visit UOlivet.edu/olivet-homecoming.edu to view a recap of this year's Homecoming!

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SHIPHERD’S RECORD

WINTER 2024

23

CLASS NOTES

1960s

Snow

1990s

Byrd

2000s

Neubecker

Tate-Pederson

24

the University and the College of Engineering’s Committee for Academic Staff Interests.

Mikel Snow ’66 retired on June 1, 2023, after 51 years in academic medicine as a faculty member, associate dean and department chairman. The Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California held a retirement celebration and honored him as “the most decorated basic science educator in the history of the medical school.”

Spencer Byrd ’91 has accepted the position as superintendent of Cheboygan Area Schools.

After Spencer graduated, he began his teaching career at Jackson Northwest – his former high school. Later, he spent 15 years teaching and coaching sports in the suburbs of Chicago.

From there, he transitioned from teaching to administrative positions, including athletic director, assistant principal, principal and superintendent.

One of his biggest initiatives in Cheboygan will be to create a new district strategic plan.

Sarah (Isham) Neubecker ’01 has accepted the elementary school principal position at Michigan Center’s Arnold Elementary School. Previously, she served as the principal of Dunlap Elementary School in Pennfield for five years and was also the dean of Paramount Charter Academy in Kalamazoo.

Sarah received her master’s degree in instruction from Olivet.

Sara Tate-Pederson ’04, a technical compliance manager for the College of Engineering at the University of WisconsinMadison, received the 2023 Ellen La Luzerne IT Recognition Award for Community Engagement. She was also appointed to the Academic Staff Committee for Women in

SHIPHERD’S RECORD

Rajbhandari

2010s

Blackmer

Williams

Prashant Rajbhandari ’06 is an assistant professor of medicine (endocrinology, diabetes and bone disease), and a member of the Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute at Icahn Mount Sinai in New York City. He led a research team that produced a study that sheds light on the intricate interplay between mammary adipose tissue and breast health and offers exciting possibilities for understanding breast development, lactation, cancer, obesity and related metabolic disorders.

Jacob ’12 & Rebecca (Gaarde) ’13 Blackmer had the pleasure of having Rev. Mike Fales ’75 baptize their daughter, Coral Blackmer, in June 2023 at the Arbor Grove Congregational Church in Jackson, Michigan.

Jake and Becca said it was a full-circle experience having Rev. Fales perform the service for the two Olivet graduates.

James “Quice” Williams ’12 hosted the fourth “City Kids Day,” a free carnival at Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, in June. Even though he’s moved away from his hometown, Quice never lost sight of the city that raised him. He launched the first City Kids Day in 2019 at the Battle Creek Central Fieldhouse.

After a brief pause due to the pandemic, the event returned in 2021, serving more than 1,200 kids and families at Kellogg Arena. Quice

currently works as a victim advocate for the Maricopa County Prosecutors Office near Phoenix, Arizona, is a personal trainer and owns a fitness apparel company.

El-Sayed

2020s

Lama

Otten

Youssef El-Sayed ’16 has accepted a position with Avangrid as an offshore wind reliability assurance manager. He will relocate to Boston and focus on cyber security and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation compliance at Avangrid. He graduated from Olivet’s criminal justice program and received his master’s in cyber security and information assurance from the University of Detroit Mercy.

MARRIAGES

Buczynski

Alena Buczynski ’19 married her best friend, Tristan Guenther, on October 23, 2021.

Audrey Lama ’21 has accepted the position of alumni relations officer at Wayne State University after receiving her Master of Arts in educational leadership, higher education and student affairs from Eastern Michigan University in April 2023. She decided to pursue a career in alumni engagement after she attended her first Olivet alumni event in 2022 at the Detroit Athletic Club.

Jenna Otten ’23 has joined Eldorado Scioto Downs as the harness racing on-air host.

She will periodically travel to Caesars Entertainment’s other Standardbred racing properties, Harrah’s Hoosier Park and Harrah’s Philadelphia, during the racing seasons. Her family background in harness racing gives her a conversational tone that is difficult to teach to someone with broadcast experience but no familiarity with the sport.

SEND US YOUR NEWS! Job updates, special recognitions, marriages, new baby, travel and more — let us know what wonderful things have happened after graduation!

Scan the QR code or share with us at UOlivet.edu/classnotes!

WINTER 2024

25

CLASS NOTES

BIRTHS

Berry Clark Thomas

Lile

James ’07 & Kelli (McKee) ’09 Lile welcomed their third daughter, Ana Carol, on April 3, 2023. She joins adoring big sisters Lea and Ava. Gary McKee ’73 is the proud papa.

Tyrai Thomas ’03 and wife, Erica, welcomed their fourth child, Tyler Terrell, on January 23, 2023. Tyler joins Tyrai Jr. (13), Elyssa (10) and Eliana (5).

Schulz

Lenz

Zach Schulz ’15 welcomed a daughter, Sutton Avery, on February 17, 2023.

Taylor (Gorr) Lenz ’16 and husband, Callan, welcomed their daughter, Joanie Leigh, on August 31, 2023.

IN MEMORIAM

Coleman

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SHIPHERD’S RECORD

James A. “Jim” Coleman, beloved husband, father and son, teacher, writer and a friend to writers, passed away on Oct. 28, 2023 at age 82. Jim taught literature and writing at Olivet from 1966 to 1973. In 1970, he and his creative writing students founded The Garfield Lake Review, a publication of poetry and prose named after a famed drinking hole, which continues to be published. Olivet honors a student each year with the Jim Coleman Prize in Prose. A second Colman Prize in Poetry has also been established. Students remember Jim as a teacher who listened to them and put books in their hands. He was honored with local and state awards throughout his career.

IN MEMORIAM We are saddened to share the passing of the following alumni and friends of The University:

1940s

1980s

Charles Blackman ’46

Nancee (Hooker) Roberts ’82

1950s

Marcia (Milliken) Klein ’89* *correction from the previous issue

Catherine (Greig) Gillis ’53 Sarah (Engle) Lawrence ’56

1960s

1990s Craig Bunker ’99

Jean (Koops) Cihla ’60

2000s

Gary Green ’60

Jonta Duck ’00

Janice (Ryckaert) Sundberg ’61

Christine (May) Barry ’01

Lee Soncrant ’61 Joy Aird ’62 Larry Melendy '64

Friends & Faculty Danford Byrens, Jr.

Carolyn (Vandlen) Peterson ’66 Christine (Preston) Hancock ’68 Charles Cloy ’69

1970s John Strader ’70 John Baker ’72 Daniel Salerno ’74 Daniel Fittro ’75 Steven Hassenger ’76 Celeste Wright ’76 Don Mohl ’78

WINTER 2024

27

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A DVA N C E M E N T

Letter from the Vice President for Advancement

Dear Friends and Supporters of The University of Olivet,

As we wrap up another year, I am thrilled to present our annual report; a testament to the incredible journey we've embarked on together.

Your unwavering support and generosity have been pivotal in shaping the future of The University of Olivet. Seeing how philanthropy plays an increasingly significant role in our quest for excellence is exciting. Your contributions are not just donations but investments in our students, our campus and the broader community.

The pages of Shipherd's Record are filled with stories and achievements made possible by your kindness. From fostering a stronger community to enriching our economy, the ripple effect of your support is far-reaching. Your time, effort and financial backing have elevated The University of Olivet and empowered our graduates to be agents of positive change in the world.

Thank you for choosing to make The University of Olivet a priority in your lives. Your philanthropy is a driving force behind our success; we are eternally grateful for that.

Warm regards,

Vicki J. Stouffer, CFRE Vice President for Advancement P.S. The Cutler Student Center will soon be a buzzing hub of student activity and engagement. It's a space where ideas will flourish, friendships will be forged and futures will be shaped.

We still have various naming opportunities available. We invite you to be an integral part of this vibrant student center.

Whether big or small, your contribution will help create a welcoming space for all. Contact the advancement office at advancement@UOlivet.edu or call 269-749-7535.

W INTER 2024

29

FINANCIALS

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (all amounts are in thousands)

NET ASSETS

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Total Assets

60,466

58,477

61,240

55,278

64,213

Total Liabilities

16,402

15,203

12,870

11,016

20,867

Total Net Assets

44,064

43,274

48,369

44,262

43,348

ENDOWMENT FUNDS

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Beginning Net Assets

18,239

18,430

18,845

22,439

18,556

Contributions/Additions

117

288

190

264

1,139

Investment Return, Net

862

906

4,239

(3,150)

2,367

Assets for Expenditure and Expenses

(788)

(779)

(836)

(997)

(970)

Total Endowment Assets*

18,430

18,845

22,439

18,556

21,092

*Over the last five years, endowment earnings and appreciation has contributed $4.3 million for scholarships and operations. Additionally, the endowment market value has increased a net 14.4%.

AREAS OF DONOR SUPPORT

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Unrestricted Contributions

371

244

498

440

402

Institutional Support

2,436

1,147

3,827

5,644

795

Athletics

550

440

231

525

461

Scholarships and instruction

1,153

1,278

963

1,000

1,075

Total funds released from restriction

4,139

2,865

5,021

7,169

2,332

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Total Revenue

36,453

38,166

43,586

36,210

41,294

Total Expenses

39,059

38,956

38,490

40,317

42,209

Total Change in Net Assets

(2,606)

(790)

5,095

(4,107)

(915)

STUDENT AID

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

College Scholarships, Fellowships and Grants

14,312

16,111

15,572

15,094

16,102

Federal/State Programs (Including Pell)

4,066

4,292

2,546

3,184

3,789

Total Student Aid

18,378

20,403

18,118

18,278

19,891

Funds released from restriction:

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SHIPHERD’S RECORD

ANNUAL INVESTMENT IN STUDENT INSTRUCTION, SUPPORT AND ENGAGEMENT FY 2023 $2,000 $4,000 $6,000

$8,000

2019

$10,000

$10,439

2020

$9,959

2021

$9,742

2022

$10,278

$12,085

2023

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES FY 2023

SUMMARY OF REVENUES FY 2023

5.7%

2.9%

Investment Return, Net $2,365

$12,000

28.6%

38.1%

Other $1,216

Student Instruction, Support and Engagement $12,085

Scholarships $16,102

13.2% Fundraising $5,442

$41,294

$42,209

TOTAL

TOTAL

61.5%

16.6% Auxiliaries $6,874

11.3%

Tuition and Fees $25,397

Auxiliary $4,788

2.5%

Fundraising $1,039

8.1%

Institutional Support $3,421

11.3% Athletics $4,774

We thank you!

It is with sincere gratitude that we thank and recognize our Lifetime and Annual Giving donors. These individuals and organizations continue to support The University of Olivet through generous financial contributions that are vital to sustain our programs and initiatives. This year’s Honor Roll listing is online and can be found by scanning the QR code to the left or by visiting UOlivet.edu/honor-roll.

W INTER 2024

31

YEAR-IN-REVIEW

SIGNAGE ACROSS CAMPUS REBRANDED TO REFLECT BECOMING THE UNIVERSITY OF OLIVET

Since becoming The University of Olivet in May, the institution has strategically begun replacing exterior and interior signage across campus, a project that will continue for some time. So far, a banner hangs across Main Street announcing to drivers that they are passing through The University of Olivet, the north and south monument signs have been refreshed, new signage in the admissions office welcomes prospective students and families, the football field and basketball court have been rebranded and even the Marching Comets have a banner that proudly displays The University of Olivet name and logo.

STUDENTS EARN FREE TUITION THANKS TO OLIVET ADVANTAGE SCHOLARSHIP

In December 2022, President Steven M. Corey, Ph.D., announced that The University of Olivet is investing millions of dollars to create The University of Olivet ADVANTAGE Scholarship. The scholarship guarantees a tuition-free education for first-time students throughout Michigan who qualify for the Michigan Achievement Grant and are Pell-eligible. The program ensures first-generation students and those from lowto-moderate-income families throughout Michigan have the opportunity for a quality, relationship-based private college experience.

President Corey said, “The University of Olivet ADVANTAGE Scholarship will be life-changing for many Michigan students and their families. An Olivet education alters the trajectory of a person’s life. A fouryear degree increases a person’s lifetime earnings and opens the door to countless career possibilities.

College also provides students with more knowledge, broadened life experiences, and opportunities they might not otherwise have to build lasting friendships and mentorships with diverse populations.”

STUDENT INITIATIVE BRINGS “BEAUTY GENIE” TO CAMPUS The University of Olivet became the first campus in the U.S. to host a Beauty Genie vending machine, thanks to the initiative of senior Rhaya Kelley who saw a need for students of color on campus. Finding hair care products can be challenging for Black students attending college in a rural community. The Beauty Genie vending machine is easily accessible to students in the main lobby of Mott Academic Center and stocked with Black hair care items, including edge control, deep conditioner, bonnets and combs. In addition to providing hair care products, the Beauty Genie also displays short educational videos from professional hairstylists on hair maintenance and the best products for different hair types.

32

SHIPHERD’S RECORD

OLIVET RANKS FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

WE’RE RANKED! THE UNIVERSITY OF OLIVET

OLIVET BECOMES DETROIT PROMISE PARTNER The University of Olivet partnered with Detroit Promise in 2023 to provide up to the full cost of tuition for qualified full-time, residential students. The award is funded through a combination of The University of Olivet scholarships and grants, federal aid and state grants (based on eligibility) and the Detroit Promise scholarship. Students must live in Detroit, attend a Detroit school for all four years and graduate from a Detroit high school. The University of Olivet is also a Lansing Promise and Kalamazoo Promise partner.

KOLASSA TENNIS COMPLEX DEDICATED AT HOMECOMING

The University of Olivet is ranked #12 in Top Performers on Social Mobility and #38 in Regional Colleges Midwest in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report list. The 2024 ranking is Olivet’s fifth year in the top 20 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.

Social mobility measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants.

Kip Darcy, vice president for enrollment management, said, “As the newly appointed vice president of enrollment, I am thrilled to see how well The University of Olivet ranked in the U.S. News & World Report Best College list. These rankings reflect Olivet’s dedication to academic excellence and commitment to making college accessible to all. I look forward to continuing to better an already great institution to provide exceptional educational opportunities for our students.”

OLIVET PARTNERS WITH COLLEGIATE CREDIT UNION The University of Olivet has partnered with Collegiate Credit Union to expand student access to financial education and empower students to confidently create and nurture their personal goals with digital checking and savings options customized for their unique stage of life. Collegiate Credit Union offers students: • Free financial literacy and wellness resources on campus and virtually.

• Professional networking opportunities with financial education professionals.

• Goal setting and tracking resources made by certified financial educators.

The rain didn’t damper the excitement surrounding the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Kolassa Tennis Complex, part of the Cutler Athletic Complex. The men’s and women’s tennis team members were on hand to thank Tom Kolassa ’69, a tennis player during his days at Olivet, who made the new courts possible.

In addition to tennis, the courts also include pickleball lines. Pickleball is one of the fastestgrowing sports and is played with paddles and a perforated hollow plastic ball on a court smaller than a tennis court.

• Data on individual spending and saving habits, alongside personalized guidance.

• Digital checking and savings accounts without membership or overdraft fees.

• An on-campus ATM. Collegiate Credit Union has also partnered with the University to offer AlumniFi, a digital-only credit union tailored for recent college graduates to create healthy financial habits.

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COMET SPORTS

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

MEN’S SOCCER

Abbott

Kouyate Davis

The men’s soccer team finished the 2023 season with a 5-7-6 overall record. The Comets qualified for the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament as the No. 6 seed.

Olivet advanced to the championship game after upsetting No. 3 seed Hope College, 1-0, in the first round on a goal by sophomore Braden Abbott, and No. 2 seed Trine (Ind.) University, 3-2, in the semifinals behind a hat trick by freshman Djimo Kouyate. The Comets were eliminated from the tournament with a 1-0 loss to Calvin University.

Kouyate was named to the All-MIAA Second Team.

He finished his rookie season with a team-leading 22 points on 10 goals and two assists.

Led by senior Chris Davis, the men’s cross country team placed seventh at the MIAA Championship.

Davis placed eighth in the 8K race with a schoolrecord time of 24 minutes and 52.6 seconds. The performance made him the first men’s cross country runner in school history to earn All-MIAA First Team honors.

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

DuFore

Dillon

The women’s volleyball team ended the 2023 season with a 12-14 overall record. The Comets advanced to the MIAA Tournament for the first time since the 2010 season. Olivet was the No. 6 seed and lost in three sets to No. 3 seed Calvin in the first round. Seniors Olivia DuFore and Morgan Dillon ended their Olivet careers with 600 and 509 kills, respectively. DuFore finished her career with 93 aces to rank fifth all-time.

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SHIPHERD’S RECORD

Grove

Peters

Paced by sophomore Sarah Grove, The University of Olivet women’s cross country team was ninth at the MIAA Championship. Two weeks later at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Meet, Grove posted the second-fastest time in school history in a 6K race at 23 minutes and 35.9 seconds. At the same race, junior Abbey Peters had the third quickest 6K time at 23 minutes and 52.9 seconds.

FOOTBALL

ACADEMIC HONORS

(Top Row, L to R) Daniel Ballagh, Erin Brady, David Curl, Andrew Elenga and Macy Gorrell. (Second Row, L to R) Owen Guilford, Gabby Jolliff, Kiersen McDonough, Mary Mitchell and Zach Potter. (Third Row, L to R) Noah Runnals, Sarah LaFoe, Takato Timmerman and Noah Wiswary.

A school-record 177 UOlivet student-athletes were named to the 2022-23 MIAA Academic Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes student-athletes who achieved a 3.50 or higher GPA for the entire academic year and were active members of an athletic team.

Fourteen student-athletes — Daniel Ballagh, Erin Brady, David Curl, Andrew Elenga, Macy Gorrell, Owen Guilford, Gabby Jolliff, Kiersen McDonough, Mary Mitchell, Zach Potter, Noah Runnals, Sarah LaFoe, Takato Timmerman and Noah Wiswary — were selected to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll each of their four years at Olivet.

The 2022-23 MIAA Team GPA award has been presented to seven athletic teams from The University of Olivet. This award is presented annually to the conference teams who post a 3.30 or higher cumulative GPA for the entire academic year. The women's volleyball team had the highest GPA at 3.79, which ranked sixth of all 110 MIAA teams honored. The women's swimming & diving was next with a 3.63 GPA, followed by women's basketball at 3.61 and women's indoor and outdoor track & field teams at 3.58. The women's golf team had a 3.56 GPA and women's soccer team wrapped-up Olivet's honorees with a 3.36 GPA.

WINTER SPORTS

Winter sports (men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s swimming & diving and wrestling) are underway. Find all the schedules, latest news, scores, statistics and more on the rebranded and redesigned athletics website or follow us on social media.

olivetcomets.com follow us on social: @OlivetAthletics

The University of Olivet football team completed the 2023 season with a 4-6 overall record and was fifth in the MIAA standings with a 2-4 record. The season-finale against Adrian College was the 1,000th game in school history. Six players earned All-MIAA honors. Sophomore running back Dontal Wright earned first team honors, while senior wide receiver SirQuarius Ball, freshman safety James Banks, senior offensive lineman Andrew Elenga and senior defensive linemen Dennis Simmons and Ricky Williamson earned second-team selections. In addition, Ball received the Pete Schmidt Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award.

In only eight games, Wright was the MIAA’s leading rusher with 816 yards on 127 carries (6.4 average).

Ball started all 10 games and tallied 38 receptions for 697 yards and five touchdowns. Elenga blocked for the offense, which averaged 398.6 yards – 199.6 on the ground and 199.0 through the air. Banks recorded 62 total tackles (29 solo and 33 assisted).

Simmons ended the year with 51 total tackles (26 solo and 25 assisted) and Williamson registered 41 total tackles (25 solo and 16 assisted). Simmons paced Olivet with 11 tackles for loss for minus 47 yards, including six quarterback sacks. Williamson, a two-time AllMIAA selection, also registered six quarterback sacks for negative 51 yards. He finished his Comet career with 36 tackles for loss, which is the fourth-most for an Olivet player since the 2002 season.

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Office of Alumni Engagement 320 S. Main St. Olivet, MI 49076

MOVING FORWARD Students of The University of Olivet are moving forward because the institution is moving forward. There are endless opportunities on the horizon. We’re glad to have you along for the journey.

HOMECOMING 2024 OCT. 5, 2024

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