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The Olivetian
Fall 2006
Campus Improvements
Olivet named one of ‘America’s Best Colleges’
pq Olivet continues to offer the most modern facilities, with Reed Hall of Science updating four labs. The building also added a new entrance canopy.
By Heather (Quimby) Day ’02 Once again, U.S.News & World Repor t has named Olivet Nazarene University as one of “America’s Best Colleges,” one of only 10 Illinois colleges to be named in the “Best Universities – Master’s” category. According to U.S. News, schools within the “Best Universities – Master’s” categor y provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs, a category for which 557 U.S. schools were considered. Olivet offers more than 120 areas of study, including the newly approved Doctor of Education degree in ethical leadership. University President Dr. John C. Bowling ’71/’72 M.A. responded to the honor by saying, “This impor tant recognition by U.S.News & World Report verifies the growing reputation of Olivet. It affirms that not only has the University been increasing in student enrollment, but the quality of the academic programs, campus life and facilities are also improving year by year. I par ticularly commend the faculty and staff of ONU who have made this achievement possible.” Brian Parker ’93, dean of undergraduate enrollment, is delighted by the recognition. “We are certainly celebrating this distinction in the Office of Admissions. Our stature and influence continue to increase as the University grows both numerically and qualitatively. We are now positioned in the top 10 largest Christian universities in the United States.” Parker also notes the greatest benefit of the recognition is for Olivet students and alumni. “As ONU becomes more widely known, their degrees and credentials begin to carry additional weight.”
NICOLE BATY ’06
p The Class of 2006 donated $2,006 to place park benches throughout Decker Quad. The area, first created in 1984 after a generous donation from Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Decker of Saginaw, Mich., also received new landscaping and paving. Older trees and bushes were removed to create a more open feel.
pq Dripping sweat while trying to sleep in a freshman hall is no longer a rite of passage at Olivet as Chapman and Williams halls installed central air conditioning. They also received new carpet, paint and fire sprinklers, with Williams Hall purchasing new lobby furniture. These projects were made possible, in part, by gifts made through the Alumni Phoneathon to the Friends of Olivet annual fund.
p Office entrances on Burke’s main floor received a major facelift. Oak door frames and frosted glass mirror the transformation second floor Burke received last summer. Students looking for a study break in Benner Library can now visit Jazzman’s Café a la Carte, which offers an assortment of specialty coffees and pastries. Common Grounds coffee shop also received a new, cosmopolitan look. As part of the Centennial Celebration, Ol’ Smokey was changed to read ONU instead of ONC. By unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees, “University” officially replaced “College” in Olivet’s name in 1986. Other projects around campus: ó Additional offices were constructed in the Admissions Center. ó Olde Oak and Fortin Villa/intramural fields parking lots were repaved. ó The University’s boiler was replaced with two more efficient boilers.
For more on these and other ONU news stories, go to www.olivet.edu and click on “News & Events.”
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