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OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY AUTUMN 2026

THE PARENT GUIDE

WELCOME, STUDENTS From orientation to move-in day, life at Olivet Nazarene University moves quickly. Fortunately, there are plenty of student-led organizations on campus that are ready to welcome you and help you with anything you might need along the way.

FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Parents, Welcome to the 2026 Parent Guide, a special issue of Olivet The Magazine published by Olivet Nazarene University. It wasn’t too many years ago that my wife and I were helping our own son gain insight into his Olivet future. I’m not just a president; I’m a parent. I know what you’re going through. This magazine is designed specifically to assist you in navigating the college search process alongside your student and to provide information that will help you evaluate all aspects of university life. Choosing the right college or university is a very important decision. The college search process can be vast, complicated, time-consuming and even stressful at times, so we hope you find this issue informative, useful, inspiring and reassuring. We also hope you embark on this journey with a sense of excitement for what you’ll soon encounter. We believe Olivet can partner with the good work of parents not only in the logistics of admission but also in shaping a student toward a worthy life. Our hope is to provide more than a professional credential. We also created an ecosystem for students to encounter God while at Olivet and discern His calling on their lives.

While we don’t require a profession of faith to enroll and not all students have fully sorted out their faith, you and they will discover a winsome message and environment to make eternal choices while preparing for temporal professional ones. I pray for you — along with a dedicated team of faculty, staff and administrators — every Tuesday, for an hour, in Kelley Prayer Chapel. I hope you schedule a time to visit our campus this summer or fall for either a personalized campus visit or for one of the many Purple & Gold Days events. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can be of any assistance. No matter where you are in the process, the entire Olivet community is with you in spirit and available to you should you have questions at any point. Sincerely,

Gregg Chenoweth, Ph.D. University President

OLIVET OLIVET THE MAGAZINE is published quarterly by the Office of Marketing and Engagement under the direction of the vice president for institutional advancement. VOLUME 95 ISSUE 3 (USPS 407-880) (ISSN 2325-7334) Copyright ©2026 Olivet Nazarene University One University Avenue Bourbonnais, IL 60914-2345 800-648-1463 PRESIDENT Gregg Chenoweth ’90, Ph.D. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Cheri Betz ’98/’16 Ed.D. VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT Mark Reddy ’95/’18 MOL, Ph.D. VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT DEVELOPMENT Jason Stephens, Ph.D. VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT Brian Allen ’82/’05 Litt.D. ACTING VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS Kent Olney, Ph.D. EDITORIAL BOARD Brian Allen ’82/’05 Litt.D. Brian W. Parker ’93/’11 Ed.D. for 989 Group George Wolff ’93 for 989 Group Susan Wolff ’94/’06 MBA Erika Moeschke ’12/’19 MBA ART DIRECTION George Wolff ’93 for 989 Group DESIGN Donnie Johnson Matt Moore ’96 for 989 Group PHOTOGRAPHY Mark Ballogg, Jones Foto, Image Group Joe Mantarian ’16, Noah Sears ’23/’25 MBA Additional photography submitted EDITORIAL SUPPORT AND DESIGN Adam Asher ’01/’07 MOL for 989 Group Lauren Beatty ’13, Raquel Gonzalez ’24 Alicia (Gallagher) Guertin ’14, Rebecca Huber Andrew Perabeau ’20, Hannah (Iverson) Priest ’21/’22 MBA Noah Sears ’23/’25 MBA, Heather (Kinzinger) Shaner ’98 Laura Warfel for 989 Group, Evan Ortell ’27 George Hannah ’25, Josiah Johnson ’25 Periodicals postage paid at the Bourbonnais, Illinois, post office and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster, send address changes to: Editor, Olivet The Magazine Olivet Nazarene University One University Avenue Bourbonnais, IL 60914-2345

Reproduction of material without written permission is prohibited. News, events and announcements are printed at the discretion of the editorial board. Opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily represent Olivet Nazarene University policy. Unless otherwise noted, Olivet The Magazine quotes Bible passages from the New International Version.

Gregg Chenoweth ’90, Ph.D., is the 13th president of Olivet Nazarene University. He earned his Ph.D. in organizational communication from Wayne State University and is the author of Everyday Discernment: The Art of Cultivating Spirit-Led Leadership (The Foundry Press, 2021).

Generative intelligence tools are occasionally used to assist in the creation of content for Olivet The Magazine. All content has been reviewed by our team of editors.

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At Olivet Nazarene University, we believe a connected community is a healthy community. We go out of our way to make sure our students have access to a vibrant social calendar and spaces to foster lifelong relationships and meaningful conversations.

LET’S CONNECT

ONU IN THE NEWS A Bible for Every Student The fall semester at Olivet Nazarene University began with an atmosphere of anticipation as students, faculty and staff gathered for the first all-campus chapel service on Aug. 26. Worship, familiar faces and the energy of a new school year filled Centennial Chapel as the campus community gathered to re-center on Jesus.

The service concluded with an unexpected gift for every undergraduate student: a Bible, reading guide, bookmark and handwritten note from the Office of Spiritual Life. Made possible through generous donor support, the gift served as a tangible reminder of Olivet’s commitment to putting God’s Word into the hands of its students.

University Chaplain Ryan Green encouraged students to approach chapel not as an obligation, but as an opportunity to “simply be with Jesus” and grow in the spiritual practices that shape a life of faith. He challenged the campus community to make chapel a screen-free space for gathering, worshiping and listening for what God might want to do in their lives.

As students left Centennial Chapel with their new Bibles, the excitement continued — along with a deeper invitation to build their lives around “Bible Jesus.” Stream Olivet chapel services and more at video.Olivet.edu.

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Your Next Adventure Awaits: Travel With Olivet

Celebrate the Arts This Fall at Olivet

Travel With Olivet invites alumni, friends and members of the greater Olivet Nazarene University community to explore remarkable destinations while enjoying thoughtfully planned itineraries, meaningful connections and the peace of mind that comes with traveling alongside fellow travelers.

Olivet Nazarene University’s 2026–2027 theatre season will invite audiences into stories of redemption, transformation and discovery through a dynamic lineup of performances led by faculty and students. Under the direction of professor Kelsie Davis ’19/’22 MBA, ONU Theatre and Green Room Theatre Company continue to provide meaningful opportunities for audiences to explore timeless themes.

Upcoming adventures include experiencing the wonder of the Christmas season at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum and discovering the rich history, scenic countryside and warm hospitality of Pennsylvania. To learn more and reserve your seat, visit Olivet.edu/TravelWithOlivet.

This year’s theatre season will kick off in October with Mary Zimmerman’s visually stunning Metamorphoses. Student directors will also bring fresh perspectives to Winter Workshops and Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, and the season will conclude with the annual Theatre Conference and Weekend of One-Acts, showcasing emerging student directors. The School of Music will add to the season with two beloved holiday performances. On Nov. 21, audiences are invited to experience Messiah at 7 p.m. in Centennial Chapel, followed by Sounds of the Season on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. The School of Music will also join ONU Theatre this spring for Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical Into the Woods. For tickets and information, visit Olivet.edu/events.

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Fall Athletics Preview As another academic year begins, there is plenty of momentum surrounding athletics at Olivet Nazarene University. Following one of the most successful seasons in recent history, Tiger studentathletes returned to campus ready to build on a year defined by championship performances, national recognition and a commitment to excellence on and off the field. The 2025–2026 season was one to remember. Olivet celebrated eight conference championships, sent 11 teams to NAIA postseason competition and crowned two national champions. Five Tiger coaches earned conference coach of the year honors, and 161 studentathletes were recognized as NAIA Scholar-Athletes — a testament to Olivet’s pursuit of excellence in both competition and the classroom. Championship moments came throughout the year. Women’s cross-country repeated as Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference champions; men’s soccer captured both the regular season and tournament conference titles before advancing to the second round of the NAIA National Championship; women’s basketball swept the conference regular season and tournament crowns; and women’s golf earned another conference

championship. On the national stage, senior Heidi Heldt captured an individual NAIA title in the mile after leading the women’s indoor track and field team to the highest national finish in program history, while the men’s 4x400-meter relay team raced to a national championship during the outdoor season. The Tigers’ success extended beyond wins and championships. Olivet finished 32nd in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings among nearly 200 NAIA institutions, reflecting the strength and consistency of the University’s entire athletic program. New initiatives such as OC3, a student-athlete ministry, and a partnership with Champion Forward further demonstrated the University’s commitment to developing student-athletes spiritually, mentally and emotionally. The momentum will continue in 2026–2027 with the addition of women’s flag football as a varsity sport and coed pickleball as a club sport, expanding opportunities for students to compete and strengthening the future of Tiger athletics. For more information about Tiger sports and to find a competition near you, visit ONUTigers.com.

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Olivet Celebrates RecordBreaking Day of Giving: 1 Day. 1 Mission. $1.4 Million.

Olivet Distinguished in 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges Report

Fueled by the theme “1 Day. 1 Mission. 1 Million.,” Olivet’s 10th annual Day of Giving became a historic celebration of generosity, raising more than $1.4 million from over 2,100 donors. From the first gift to the final push, the day was marked by remarkable momentum, energy and campus-wide engagement. Eight of the 50 featured projects reached full funding, while every gift was invested in opportunities that shape the student experience.

Olivet Nazarene University has once again earned recognition in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. The 2027 report recognized Olivet among the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest and among the Top Private Schools in the Midwest. The University was also named a Top Performer on Social Mobility and received recognition for its undergraduate engineering and nursing programs.

The excitement also extended beyond giving, as the campus came together for Olivet’s first in-person Day of Giving celebration, highlighted by a project fair and an inaugural 5K color run with more than 300 participants.

The annual rankings evaluate colleges and universities on factors including retention and graduation rates, faculty and financial resources, student excellence, and alumni engagement.

Stay up to date with all the latest campus news and stories at Olivet.edu/News.

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LET’S GET SOCIAL

EXPERIENCE LIFE AT OLIVET WE BELIEVE. YOU BELONG HERE.

While there is endless information available about colleges online, nothing can replace the in-person campus visit experience. Stepping onto campus at Olivet Nazarene University allows students the opportunity to get a taste for what life will look like during their college years.

We offer a holistic educational experience that nurtures not only the intellect but also the spirit. Our diverse range of academic programs caters to various interests and career goals.

Olivet is deeply committed to service and leadership development. By visiting, you can learn about the various opportunities we provide for students to make a positive impact on society.

Our faculty, known for their expertise and dedication, foster a supportive learning environment that encourages critical thinking and innovation.

We also understand the importance of extracurricular activities in shaping a wellrounded personality. Our athletic teams, clubs and organizations offer numerous avenues for students to pursue their passions outside the classroom.

Our beautiful campus is a microcosm of the world, with students from different backgrounds and cultures. Visiting allows you to experience this diversity firsthand and understand how it enriches the learning environment.

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A visit to ONU gives you a glimpse of our residential and spiritual life. You can explore our modern facilities, interact with current students, worship

alongside the campus community in a chapel setting and get a feel for the camaraderie that defines the ONU experience. Come see for yourself why we believe you belong here! The Office of Admissions hosts personalized campus visit days for high school students and prospective transfer students almost every weekday of the year. The team loves welcoming students and their families to the University for tours, visits with professors, recruitment meetings with athletic coaching staff and shared meals with current students. In addition to these personalized campus visit opportunities, the admissions team also hosts multiple special event visit days each semester. These large group gatherings include unique moments to connect with other prospective students through social activities, large events and, in some cases, overnight stays on campus. Programming also includes insightful information about the college experience for families from campus leaders and student panels. Purple & Gold Days are about more than just sharing school spirit with prospective students — they’re about connecting the dots between finding the right college fit and seeking true purpose in one’s calling. SPECIAL EVENT VISIT DAYS – 2026 Friday, Nov. 6 — Overnight Purple & Gold Days featuring ONU men’s basketball game Friday, Nov. 13 — Purple & Gold Days Friday, Dec. 4 — Purple & Gold Days SPECIAL EVENT VISIT DAYS – 2027 Friday, Jan. 22 — Purple & Gold Days Friday, Jan. 29 — Purple & Gold Days Monday, Feb. 15 — Presidents Day at Olivet Friday, Feb. 26 — Overnight Purple & Gold Days featuring spring musical, Into the Woods Friday, March 19 — Purple & Gold Days Friday, April 2 — Overnight Purple & Gold Days featuring Mr. ONU competition Friday, April 16 — Purple & Gold Days Friday, April 30 — Purple & Gold Days

DID YOU KNOW? • Olivet hosts campus visits five days a week. • Personalized visits are available for high school and transfer students. • Olivet offers a $1,000 visit scholarship to high school seniors who come for an official visit. • Events like Purple & Gold Days, Just for Juniors, Experience Olivet and summer Explore Olivet days allow students to connect with other like-minded peers during their college enrollment process. • Overnight visits are offered each semester for students to experience a deeper dive into life at Olivet. • Olivet hosts nearly 2,000 high school students each year for campus visits. • Students from around the world visit Olivet during the recruitment cycle. If distance is a barrier to scheduling a campus visit, check out our Fly On Us initiative. Because visiting Olivet is so important, we will reimburse a prospective student’s airfare up to $500 for a campus visit prior to June 1, 2027. For more information, visit Olivet.edu/Admissions or reach out to the staff at Admissions@Olivet.edu. BE OUR GUEST Want to get a feel for campus before scheduling your visit? Jump into our virtual tour and start exploring today. Scan the QR code or visit virtualtour. Olivet.edu/Olivet/Olivet-highlights.

FIRST PERSON PREPARING PROFESSIONALS TO SERVE Danae Williams ’24

Olivet Nazarene University’s accounting major is equipping and sending business professionals into some of the world’s most successful accounting firms. Danae Williams ’24 grew up with Olivet in her life. Her mother and brother are both Olivet graduates. Bill Bahr ’96/’05 MBA/’14 M.A., head coach for Tiger women’s soccer, was her travel soccer coach for eight years. Her team practiced on the soccer fields at Olivet. As an Olivet student, she played soccer for the Tigers. For her academic studies, Danae majored in accounting. Her goal was to graduate from Olivet in three years. “Professor Horton was my academic adviser,” she says. “He always went above and beyond. When I landed an internship with a Bourbonnais accounting firm during my sophomore year, he helped me adjust my schedule so that I could complete my degree on my timetable.”

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“I thought I wasn’t prepared to make it in a large firm. I quickly realized that [my professors] had prepared me well for my career.”

When Danae began applying for postgraduation jobs, her Olivet education and her internship experience quickly set her apart. “Professor Tricia Mills encouraged me to apply to the larger, higher-profile firms,” Danae says. “I thought I wasn’t prepared to make it in a large firm. I quickly realized that she and professor Horton had prepared me well for my career. They helped me to be confident enough to follow my dreams.” After graduating from Olivet (in three years), Danae did an internship in summer 2024 with KPMG LLP, a global firm that provides audit, tax and advisory services in 138 countries and territories with more than 276,000 employees around the world. In September 2024, the firm offered her a full-time job, and she accepted with a start date of October 2025. Next, Danae spent her days studying for the CPA exam and completed her master’s degree in

accounting and data analytics online at night. As soon as she was eligible, Danae took the CPA exam and passed all sections the first time. In October 2025, she joined the KPMG team in the firm’s Chicago office as an audit associate. “When I started at KPMG, I noticed that most of the new employees were from huge schools,” Danae says. “Professor Horton and professor Mills were right. I was ready and well prepared for the work I’m doing.” Danae recently had a full-circle experience that underscored her realization. “Professor Horton and professor Mills brought Olivet’s Accounting and Finance Club members to our firm’s Chicago office,” Danae says. “I got to talk with the students and invited them to reach out to me anytime. Everyone was so happy to see me doing well.” To learn more about the McGraw School of Business and the accounting major, email Admissions@Olivet. edu or call 800-648-1463.

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WORLDVIEW Olivet Community Explores New Places, Gains Deeper Kingdom Perspective During Summer Travels

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While there is much to be learned in the classrooms right here on campus, one of the best parts of the Olivet Nazarene University experience is the lessons learned when students step into cultures and communities around the world. Every summer, Olivet Nazarene University students, faculty and staff travel around the world through different academic- and mission-based programs. Exploring new cultures and connecting with new people not only enriches participants’ Olivet experience but also enhances their view of the Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven.

ONU Biology: Iceland

From traveling across coastal fjords and geothermal areas to hiking through volcanic terrain and exploring glacial landscapes, 11 students explored the unique ecosystems of Iceland firsthand through Olivet’s Arctic Field Ecology course. Taught and accompanied by biology professors Parry Kietzman, Ph.D., and David Hoekman, Ph.D., the credit-earning field studies course gave students the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and put their knowledge of ecology and field studies into practice. Throughout the course, students collected data, conducted research and studied Arctic ecosystems in a variety of environments. Their schedule changed from day to day, with excursions ranging from whale watching and tracking wildlife near marine environments to exploring tundra habitats and working alongside researchers at local field stations. “Seeing new landscapes and ecosystems directly results in impactful and formative learning,” Dr. Hoekman says. “It was such a joy to explore and experience the Arctic with ONU students this summer.” Open to students of all majors, the course provides biology majors with their core ecology credit and zoology majors with their required field studies credit while offering students a hands-on opportunity to see ecological concepts at work in the real world. Along the way, students also gain a deeper appreciation for stewardship and what it means to care for God’s creation.

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“Seeing new landscapes and ecosystems directly results in impactful and formative learning. It was such a joy to explore and experience the Arctic with ONU students this summer.”

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Bryce Canyon National Park - NYC ‘26

Every four years, the Church of the Nazarene organizes a denominational conference for high school students from across the United States and Canada to gather for five days of intentional learning and growth through speakers, worship sessions, concerts, social gatherings and service projects. This summer, nearly 10,000 students, youth leaders and pastors gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, for Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC). During the conference, held July 1–5, representatives from Olivet, along with sister Nazarene institutions and a range of mission-focused nonprofits, hosted booths in the exhibit hall to connect with attendees. Following plenary sessions, led by renowned speakers, pastors and Christian thought leaders and supported by worship sets, award-winning contemporary Christian music artists, including Hulvey, Josiah Queen and Elevation Rhythm, performed dynamic concerts. The theme of the conference was “Wonder,” based on Psalm 65:8: “The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, You call forth songs of joy.” Sessions and events were structured to reflect the idea of finding awe. From Chicago Central District (CCD), the denominational district in which Olivet is located, 149 high school students and adults traveled to Utah for NYC. Given that many of them had never visited the western U.S., the trip leaders were intentional in planning additional activities that would be more than tourism — they would spark awe and wonder. “As part of our planning, we wanted to dive deep into the theme of ‘Wonder,’” says David Morris ’05/’19 M.Div., CCD’s Nazarene Youth International president, the middle school ministry pastor at GatheringPoint Church and an adjunct professor in Olivet’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry. “What better place to do that than a national park? We believe there exists within each of us an innate awe for that which is majestic and beyond our comprehension. From a practical standpoint, we knew many of our participants had never been to a national park, and the opportunity to visit one would continue to prepare us for the deep dive into the theme later that week.” David worked with Joel Heald ’08 to plan a day trip

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to Bryce Canyon National Park. Joel serves as the student ministries pastor at College Church University Avenue as well as the district NYC coordinator. He also works with Olivet students as a preaching coach for the Preaching and Music Ambassador Program and teaches courses in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. His vision for the activity was to help set the tone for the conference event. “The NYC office provided a great pre-trip curriculum to help us discussion the idea of wonder with our students,” he says. “I broke it down to two components: awe and curiosity. We see the awe of God all over the pages of the Bible, and it is our natural response to the incredible beauty of creation as well as the gift of God’s love and grace to us. I believe that, in our faith journey, awe is the beginning of worship. Additionally, I think that curiosity is a crucial aspect of wonder.” While they would have planned a great activity, David and Joel thought to include Charles Carrigan ’96, Ph.D., in the planning. Dr. Carrigan teaches courses in the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences at Olivet and frequently leads college students on trips throughout the U.S. to study rock formations and other natural wonders. His added expertise was sought to create a memorable experience for the students that would connect a physical experience with a spiritual purpose. Before the trip, the leaders organized five different options for hiking around Bryce Canyon with varying degrees of difficulty. Dr. Carrigan also created a handout for leaders and students on the district to use on their chosen hike that would facilitate discussion around the theme of wonder. As a bonus, one of Dr. Carrigan’s daughters was attending NYC, and he flew out to help actually guide one of the hiking paths. “After lunch, I led a hike down Navajo Trail among the hoodoos and back up the Wall Street trail with 20 or so,” he says. “I taught them a bit of sedimentary geology as we observed the layers of the Eocene Claron Formation and their subsequent erosion into the monolithic hoodoos from the headwaters of the intermittent Paria River stream system. I also taught them a bit of outdoor ethics through the seven Leave No Trace principles.” For David, inviting Dr. Carrigan was a “no-brainer.”

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Olivet professors organized hikes through Bryce Canyon for students in the Chicago Central District as an intentional activity during Nazarene Youth Conference. “He used his expertise to help us identify the major geological features of the park and then used that knowledge to talk about the ways God continues to shape and form us into Christlikeness,” David explains. “The intersection between faith and science isn’t to be feared, but celebrated. We serve a God of wonder.” The entire NYC week of activities was meant to encourage and inspire young minds to engage in the world around them — whether looking down into a canyon, worshiping at a concert or connecting with other students from across the country. Although the trip may have been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the goal was for this impressionable generation to see that God is present in every moment of daily life and that living in wonder opens up one’s mind, heart and spirit to the potential of awesome growth and change.

church, online, friends, etc. An important part of growing into Christlikeness is learning to integrate all the different ‘parts’ of ourselves and to offer them to Jesus so that He can be Lord of all of it. “I believe that our vision for ministry should recognize that both the fun and the serious moments are equally sacred and have an important part of forming a genuine and lasting faith. This means that how we engage the world through thoughtful learning is just as important as our laughter and play.” For more information about Church of the Nazarene events, visit Nazarene.org. For more information about Olivet’s School of Theology and Christian Ministry or the Department of Chemistry and Geosciences, visit Olivet.edu/Academics.

“When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he told us to ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,’” Joel said. “This is a whole-person approach to our faith journey. Especially for teenagers, it is easy to compartmentalize our different worlds — school,

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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

OLIVET BRINGS LEARNING AND LIFE Education With a Christian Purpose happens everywhere at Olivet Nazarene University. Music and Olivet Nazarene University are forever intertwined in the life of Cole Morris ’26 and his family. From Centennial Chapel to Larsen Fine Arts Center to The House of God at Mooseheart, their roots are firmly anchored in Olivet’s commitment to “Education With a Christian Purpose.” In spring 2026, as his graduation from Olivet was approaching, Cole took time to recall his Olivet story. He was in eighth grade the first time he visited Olivet’s campus. He had come from his hometown of Peoria to play drums in a jazz band music festival being held on campus. “I remember walking into Centennial Chapel and seeing the stage and the organ,” he says. “That was the first time I had ever been on any college campus. Our group played together on that same stage during the festival. My sister Emma became an Olivet freshman later that year with the blessing of our parents, Jason and Tina Morris.”

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When Cole was a sophomore in high school, his brother, Jude ’23, enrolled at Olivet. Cole remembers coming to visit Jude and staying in his Chapman Hall dorm room. “That weekend, I began to see myself as an Olivet student someday,” Cole says. “I began thinking that Olivet might be the place for me.” LIFE HAPPENS At the end of his sophomore year in high school, one of Cole’s closest friends passed away. One month later, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the lockdown and months of isolation for the world. “That was a difficult time for me,” Cole says. “When I needed my friends most for support, I was separated from them.” During that summer of 2020, a friend reached out to Cole and invited him to join a time of worship in a meadow behind their church. That first day,

eight teenagers showed up and spent three hours worshiping God together. “God’s presence was so powerful that day,” he says. “That experience was healing and life changing for all of us. The group grew and continued to meet there every week for years to come.” As new people came to the group, Cole took time to talk with them and listen to their stories. “When I asked God what He wanted me to do with my life, He used that group to show me that He wants me to be a pastor, to shepherd and care for His people,” Cole says. “My next step in that journey was to enroll at Olivet.” FINDING FAMILY, FUN AND FAITH As an Olivet student, Cole completed a double major in pastoral ministry and Biblical studies. He also sang with Orpheus Choir and was the group’s chaplain, served with the Preaching Ambassadors, sang the bass solos in Handel’s Messiah, performed in Sounds of the Season and was active in intramural sports and Spoons 4 Forks improv comedy. And he had the opportunity to do life with his two best friends as his roommates. One of Cole’s most special moments at Olivet happened in 2025 when Orpheus Choir sang at The House of God at Mooseheart in northern Illinois. “We were singing for a group of kids from a K–12 boarding school,” he says. “We did our entire concert for them, and in one song, the choir dances. We weren’t sure how the kids would react, but when we started singing and dancing, their eyes lit up, and they came alive. They were filled with joy, and they began singing and dancing with us.” Cole greatly appreciates the teaching and mentorship from his Olivet professors. “Professor Joel Heald is also my pastor at College Church University Avenue and helps with Preaching Ambassadors,” Cole says. “He has helped me walk through some tough times and shows me how to be a better pastor. Dr. Eddie Ellis is one of the most patient and compassionate persons I’ve ever known. In our Greek class, we often heard ambulances going by on the main road right outside our classroom, and he would always pause and pray for the people who were needing medical help. During my four years with Orpheus Choir, Dr. Jeff Bell was extremely influential in my life. His professionalism and his care for us always pushed us to be the best we could be.”

He continues, “All of my professors care deeply about their students and about bringing education to the level of our lives. Their expertise in their fields has equipped me well for the next steps in my career. Their confidence in me helps build my confidence in myself.” UNEXPECTED HEALING As Cole reflects on his time at Olivet, he always pauses to thank God for the healing and restoration he and his siblings have experienced in their relationships with one another. “Jude and I had many struggles as brothers while we were living at home,” Cole says. “When he went to college, I was glad to see him go. But when we were both Olivet students for only one semester, we sang in Orpheus Choir together and went on tour together. God healed our relationship during that time, and now we are best friends. It was very emotional when he graduated.” Cole adds, “There was something wrong between my sister Olivia and me while we were living at home. She enrolled at Olivet when I was a junior, and we sang in Orpheus Choir together. God showed us how to reconcile and healed our relationship, too.” Their sister Emma ’22 is also an Olivet graduate. Soon, their sister Evie will become an Olivet student. “Olivet is where all of us were supposed to be for many reasons,” Cole says. “Olivet provided our education and brought healing to our family, and I’m forever grateful.” To learn more about all that Olivet has to offer, contact the Office of Admissions at Admissions@ Olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLLEGE THE PARENT GUIDE

“The liberal arts are the arts of communication and thinking. They are the arts indispensable to further learning, for they are the arts of reading, writing, speaking, listening, figuring.” —Oliver DeMille There is no shortage of options when you’re trying to help your child choose where to pursue higher education. The real challenge is finding the right place — the college or university where your student will thrive. Our 2026 Parent Guide serves as a handy guidebook, providing specifics about the Olivet Nazarene University experience and the distinctions of an “Education With a Christian Purpose.”

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PILLARS Dr. Kent R. Olney

Unpacking the Mission of Olivet Nazarene University

With more than 4,000 universities in America, does it really matter which one a student chooses to attend? Preparation, development and pursuit of one’s life passion can occur regardless of where one earns his or her degree, right? These questions are worth careful consideration. At Olivet Nazarene University, an education flows from three pillars, or central ideas, that lie at the heart of our educational mission.

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PILLAR 1: PROFESSIONAL READINESS Professional preparation at Olivet consists of (1) classroom and book learning; (2) practical application through real-life experience; and (3) opportunities to encounter the God of all creation through knowing His Son, Jesus Christ. Those who embrace these three emphases leave Olivet professionally ready to enter the world. Employers are looking for young people who have a first-rate education that has prepared them to adapt to a marketplace that is rapidly changing. Of course, all universities promise such an education.

Our students leave us competent in the language of their chosen field of study and versed in the language of God.

What makes us unique at Olivet is that our professional readiness includes that third element wherein we prepare students to represent God in their world. Stated another way, our students are prepared to be “interpreters” for God. This is not new. Long ago, God used Joseph to interpret for Pharaoh in Egypt. He used Daniel to interpret for King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon. God still seeks qualified interpreters who are strategically placed and used for His purposes among world leaders. Today, He finds many of those interpreters at Olivet — individuals professionally prepared to represent both their discipline and God. Having grown up between two deaf siblings, I worked for 20 years as a professionally certified sign language interpreter. In that role, I interpreted in classrooms, courtrooms, hospitals and churches. I have interpreted for Billy Graham, four state governors and even at the White House. Those experiences taught me that the most fundamental principle to becoming an effective interpreter is to know two languages well. In a sense, that is our mission at Olivet: We strive to teach two languages. Our students leave us competent in the language of their chosen field of study and versed in the language of God. Professional readiness at Olivet means knowing both languages, or both worlds, well. A fair question, then, is this: How are we doing? Are we having success in professionally preparing our students? The following alumni have returned to speak on campus in recent months. Each illustrates Olivet’s remarkable track record: Suzanne Bell ’98, Ph.D., is the lead researcher for NASA’s Behavioral Health and Performance Lab. David Horton ’84 enjoyed a long career with the IRS overseeing a $225 million budget and providing tax assistance to nations around the world.

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Teresa Woodruff ’85, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized biologist and professor of obstetrics, gynecology, reproductive biology and biomedical engineering at Michigan State University. Angel Colón ’90 is the head of diversity, equity and inclusion at Designer Brands. Jessica Swanson ’06, Ed.D., served as a senior research fellow at Georgetown University’s Edunomics Lab in Washington, D.C., exploring how finance decisions impact our nation’s schools. All are professionally prepared interpreters, and there are many others like them. Jesus had this to say on the topic of interpreters in Luke 12:56: “You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky [i.e., you have mastered arts and sciences]. [But] how is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” Our mission stretches beyond mastering the arts and sciences. We point to the Creator of those arts and sciences and seek to interpret Him through every academic discipline, in every corner of the world. Corporate offices, educational institutions, performance stages, research laboratories, churches and mission fields, professional athletic teams, medical facilities, political offices and civic organizations have all welcomed professionals who received their foundational preparation while at Olivet. Individuals with an Olivet education serve as God’s interpreters in this world.

PILLAR 2: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Olivet’s second pillar is personal development. As a Christian university, we intentionally seek to foster deep piety along with strong scholarship. Making such a statement begs the question: What is a Christian university? Extremes exist across the higher education landscape. An overemphasis in one direction — Christian — implies more interest in pursuing halos than academic excellence. That approach too often produces firm beliefs but minimal influence in the marketplace. Emphasis in the other direction — university — risks developing shallow Christians who are conversant in the latest educational buzzwords but who know little of God’s enduring Word. Olivet seeks to avoid these extremes. When we speak of a Christian university, we value what each distinct word emphasizes. Consequently, we believe the following:

We believe all truth is God’s truth; He is the Source of all knowledge. We believe we can pursue devotion to God and practice excellence in our academic disciplines. We believe a relationship with the Creator enhances rather than diminishes intellectual development. It is God who kindles inquisitive and creative minds. We believe with the Apostle Paul that Christ, not culture, is our Master. Therefore, “Whatever [we] do, [we] work at it with all [our] heart … working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). We believe learning entails lifelong development with eternal consequences. The best in higher education is always shaped by faith. That is how we define a Christian university. Such a university is committed to personal development. Let me illustrate with an unusual phone call that came to Olivet in August 2022. Jim (not his real name) called the University, said he was dying and asked to talk to a dean. The call was transferred to my office. I quickly learned four things: (1) Jim was in poor health with a bad medical prognosis; (2) over 40 years ago, he had been an Olivet student; (3) he had been kicked out of the college twice for his behavior — the last time permanently; and (4) he now wanted to apologize and set things right. His language was rough, and his emotions were raw as he wept into the phone; his voice was filled with regret. I prayed with Jim and assured him of our and, more importantly, God’s forgiveness. Jim expressed his thanks and then wistfully said, “I loved my professors at Olivet. They were so good to me, even though I was a rebel.” That initial call has now become a weekly call between the “rebel” and the dean. If he doesn’t call me, I call him. Jim’s health has stabilized, and more of his story has unfolded. One poor decision after another resulted in years of heartache and misery. Yet Jim could never forget Olivet. Now that the end looms near, he is reaching out to her again. It may sound strange, but Jim and I — the “rebel” and the dean — continue to have mutually encouraging conversations. When life turned dark and the future looked bleak, Jim was drawn back to his alma mater, Olivet, to his professors who “were so good to [him], even though [he] was a rebel.”

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What would cause a man to make such a phone call? Jim remembered the virtue that marked Olivet. He remembered Jesus was there, among his faculty and classmates. He remembered a place of love and forgiveness. Then he prayed that what he remembered had not changed over the years. Jim communicates two sentiments to me nearly every time we talk: first, how proud he is that Olivet continues to develop Godly students and, second, how amazed he is that a dean takes the time to talk to a “rebel.” But that is who we are. Whether we’re interacting with current students, distinguished alumni, outside constituents or a “rebel” from the past, our mission is the same. We’re focused on professional readiness for career and personal development for a life in this world and the next. As a Christian university, who we are and how we treat others matters.

That elevates the value of a place like Olivet. Olivet provides more than geographical community on a campus, physical community in dorms, social community through organizations and athletic teams, and spiritual community via chapel and ministry programs. It also provides service opportunities that build and sustain another kind of community — that which is borne out of giving one’s life away for the benefit of others.

Thomas Obadiah Chisholm, a Methodist hymn writer from Kentucky, penned these well-known lyrics 100 years ago: “Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” He went on to note that the same faithful Lord gives “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” Our students — past, present and future — are counting on us to point them to the source of that strength and hope for their personal development. We dare not disappoint them.

Jesus, the One who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life” (Matthew 20:28), is our model here. We encourage students to follow His example. Nothing lifts one’s sights and spirits more — nothing combats despair and discouragement more — than service to others. Genuine community, built on sacrificial service, gets formed in the process; such community is a defining feature common to Olivet graduates. Dr. Durkheim was right all along.

PILLAR 3: LIVES OF SERVICE

Following are some alumni from the past two decades who illustrate well what we mean by lives of service:

The third and final pillar that distinguishes our work at Olivet is encouraging students to engage in lives of service. Our professionally prepared and personally developed students head out in search of more than just good jobs. They want to serve, knowing that is the ultimate measure of their success. In some ways, the task has never been more challenging. Our culture exhibits a curious mix of victimization, individual rights, fragile egos, anxiety, fear and depression. The CDC reports a sharp rise in “deaths of despair”: deaths due to suicide, drugs and alcohol. This trend is particularly seen among millennials, identified as young adults between the ages of 18 and 34, and is contributing to the lowest U.S. life expectancy rates in the past 100 years. What accounts for what we are witnessing? The late French sociologist Dr. Émile Durkheim, in his 1897 classic Suicide, pointed to the power of community life. Suicide rates, according to Dr. Durkheim, are elevated when social ties are weak. On the other hand, communities rich with vibrant social relationships tend to have lower suicide rates. Community life matters.

Ironically, social analysts tell us that today’s young adults are the most socially connected generation ever, with their iPhones and social media accounts creating stimulating, 24/7, online communities. We’re discovering, however, that not just any community will do. Communities that make a difference are rooted in deep, meaningful, enduring and sacrificial relationships.

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Nick Shelton ’02 and Anthony Deutsch ’17 both turned their dreams and hard work into careers with the U.S. Secret Service, where their lives of service protect the U.S. president, vice president and other dignitaries around the world. Simone Twibell ’06, Ph.D., came to Olivet from South America, graduated, married and prepared for the ministry. After walking through “the valley of the shadow of death” upon the loss of her husband due to brain cancer, she has embraced a life of service as an Olivet faculty member who influences students. Lt. Col. Ben Kayser ’02/’04 MBA went from being a top baseball prospect to a military officer to a life of service with the Navigators. He now disciples soldiers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, modeling what it means to follow Christ and leading them in battle against the enemy of their souls. Amanda Choi ’07 turned some dark days of pain and loss into a life of service in Jerusalem with Bridges for Peace, winsomely introducing Jews to their Messiah, Jesus.

LaMorris Crawford ’06/’12 MOL left Chicago’s South Side housing projects, poverty and violence to attend Olivet. Upon graduation, he embarked on a life of service that has included being an NFL chaplain, pastor and speaker. Grace Pelley ’18 has overcome physical challenges and entered a life of service that includes writing, editing and coaching others to do the same. Josh Adams ’04 went on to medical school after Olivet and then joined the military, all in preparation for a life of service as a family doctor in Idaho. Raechel Myers ’05 founded an organization known as She Reads Truth, adopting a life of service that encourages believers to open and read their Bibles in order to discover the truth and relevancy found there. All of these — some overcoming pain, adversity and obstacles — have pursued lives of service and represent scores of other alumni. The result is twofold: Recipients of the service benefit, and strong community ties are formed that sustain and spread goodwill.

EDUCATION WITH A CHRISTIAN PURPOSE Yes, Olivet seeks to send out graduates who are professionally prepared, personally developed and committed to lives of service. These three pillars make up our mission. The motto engraved in stone at the entrance to our campus reads, “Education With a Christian Purpose.” We contend that this noble mission, and nothing less, is what it means to engage in higher education. The decision of where to pursue a college education really does matter after all.

Nothing lifts one’s sights and spirits more — nothing combats despair and discouragement more — than service to others. Genuine community, built on sacrificial service, gets formed in the process; such community is a defining feature common to Olivet graduates.

Kent R. Olney, Ph.D., has served as the acting vice president for academic affairs since 2026 and as dean for the College of Arts and Sciences since 2021 at Olivet, following 26 years as a professor of sociology. Dr. Olney graduated from Asbury College in 1977, earned a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts from Gallaudet University, and completed a Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. Dr. Olney and his wife, Beth, are the parents of Kyle and Luke ’10/’12 MOL, parents-in-law to Amber (McKean) ’08/’13 MOL and Amber (Leffel) ’14, and the proud grandparents to six grandchildren.

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WHAT TO DO SENIOR YEAR

The best way for your student to prepare for college is to make the most of senior year. Your daughter or son should dig into classes and form good study habits — focused determination and solid grades are the best preparation. She or he should invest in extracurricular activities that highlight athleticism, musical talent, leadership or public service. It will be a busy year, and graduation will be here before you know it. These steps, written for your student, will help your family navigate the enrollment process and get a head start on the college experience. ASK THESE QUESTIONS

Does the college offer your major? Are there ample areas of study (in case you change majors)? Are the professors accessible in and out of the classroom? Are the professors renowned in their fields? Are the academic programs rigorous? After financial aid is awarded, how affordable is the school? How many students are in each class? Does the college have strong internship and study-abroad opportunities? What is the weather like? What defines the classroom experience? Are there added-value opportunities and services? What is the campus city or town like? Does the college provide a multicultural experience? How important is

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distance from home? Is the campus near additional internships, jobs and culture? Does the college have on- and off-campus guidelines for living? Do you value institutional policies regarding residential life? What arts opportunities are available? Are there sports teams to cheer for? What are all the on- and off-campus dining options? Are there fitness activities for students? Does the college offer off-campus living? What are some alumni success stories? Are academic tutoring and career counseling readily offered? What clubs, intramural sports, ministries and volunteer activities exist? Is the college a good fit for you?

FALL

Visit. Fall is a great time to look at the schools on your college list. The perfect time to connect with students and professors is when classes are in session. Even sit in on a class or two. Olivet Nazarene University’s Purple & Gold Days events are ideal for experiencing campus firsthand. Finalize a short list and rank those colleges. Use information gathered from campus visits, interviews and research to determine where to apply. Stay on track with grades and activities. Colleges look at senior year, so stay focused on classes and maintain commitments to extracurricular activities. Take standardized tests. Register for and take the ACT, SAT or SAT Subject Tests as necessary. Head to CollegeBoard.org to send your SAT scores to ONU, and visit ACT.org to submit your ACT scores. Keep track of deadlines. It’s important to know what is due when. Make a calendar showing the application deadlines for admission, financial aid and scholarships. Connect with your guidance counselor. Be sure the counselor knows where to send transcripts, score reports and letters of recommendation. Give the guidance counselor any necessary forms much earlier than the actual deadlines. Complete applications for colleges on your short list. Make sure the guidance office has sent all necessary materials, including test scores, recommendations, transcripts and application essays. Plan to get all this done before winter break so you won’t be rushed. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filing for the following school year starts on Oct. 1 of the current year. While filing, add Olivet’s school code (001741) so your FAFSA results are automatically sent to ONU. File as soon as possible to ensure access to eligible state and federal aid as well as priority status for scholarships. Some state programs have limited resources and are first-come, first-served. Continue your scholarship search. Apply for scholarships with approaching deadlines and keep searching for more scholarship and grant opportunities. Using free online scholarship search tools is a great way to find potential aid. Ask colleges about their scholarship opportunities. Be sure to take this information into account when making a short list. A college’s sticker price can fluctuate greatly after financial aid and scholarships are applied. Talk with a financial aid representative at Olivet to discover how scholarships and financial aid change your bottom line.

WINTER

Follow up on applications. Verify with the guidance counselor that all forms are in order and have been sent. Send midyear grade reports. Ask your guidance counselor to send these reports to colleges on your short list. Remember, colleges will continue to keep track of grades, so it’s important to keep working hard throughout senior year. Review college financial aid packages. Though finances should never be the only factor in a decision, consider each package carefully, as not all colleges use the same format.

SPRING

Prepare. Take any last standardized tests and ACT/SAT retakes (statistically, students improve their score on the second or third attempt). Take Advanced Placement tests or College-Level Examination Program tests to earn college credit as senior year winds down. Be sure to discuss these options with an enrollment adviser at each college on your short list, as every school awards college credit and academic scholarships differently. Make the final college decision. Notify all schools of your intentions by May 1. If still undecided, schedule campus visits. Send the enrollment deposit and ask your guidance counselor to send a final transcript upon graduation. Submit any other required paperwork. Follow up on financial aid information. Be sure you have received a FAFSA confirmation and award letter. If necessary, explore and apply for loans. Maintain contact with the financial aid adviser to discuss the best options for paying for college. Interact with future classmates. Attend college events, check out class pages on social media and finalize roommate selection.

SUMMER

Attend new student summer orientation. Finalize course selections, choose a dorm room, meet freshman classmates, interact with faculty and staff, and begin the exciting experience of the next four years.

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UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL AID

The college choice will be heavily influenced by how you and your student perceive cost and the financial aid process. Be sure to make decisions based on accurate information. You don’t want to rule out schools based on sticker shock when financial aid could bring those schools within reach. What can we do to make college more affordable?

File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and file it as early as possible. The FAFSA is the gateway to state and federal financial aid, and universities use this information to determine your student’s offers. The FAFSA can give access to grants as well as loans that tend to have lower interest rates with the most advantageous payback schedules. Some state grants have limited resources, so it’s important to file as soon as possible.

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When can we file the FAFSA?

The 2027–2028 FAFSA is now open for students to complete. You can pull financial information directly from electronic tax documents into your FAFSA form. More information can be found online at studentaid.gov.

After filing the FAFSA, what’s next?

The FAFSA allows your student to select up to 20 schools to automatically receive your family’s FAFSA information. Each school that has accepted your student for admission will then send a financial aid offer letter outlining the federal, state and institutional aid for which your student is eligible.

What role do standardized test scores play?

It’s important to find out how each admissions office handles test scores, as each school is different. If your student takes the ACT or SAT more than once (not required but permitted by both testing organizations), know that some universities take the highest score, while others take an average. A higher test score could improve an academic scholarship by thousands of dollars per year. Olivet Nazarene University is a test-preferred institution (standardized test scores not required as part of the admissions process).

Are there other scholarships available?

ASK THE EXPERTS Olivet’s Office of Admissions is a great resource for families in every stage of the financial aid process.

Some schools offer only academic scholarships. Most have additional opportunities. Like academic scholarships, these opportunities are provided on the basis of merit and/or participation. At Olivet there are scholarships for athletics, music (including Tiger Marching Band and University Orchestra), art, ministry and ROTC.

Kimberly Strickland klstrickland@Olivet.edu “It’s my pleasure each day to assist students and their families with their award packages. The options are almost limitless.”

Is money available from sources other than the college or university?

Luke Franklin lfrankl1@Olivet.edu

YES! Students should seek out local and national scholarships. Consider organizations your student has been a part of, businesses you frequent and your employer. Many offer scholarships. For national scholarships, register at reputable websites such as fastweb.com, bigfuture.collegeboard.org or scholarships.com and begin applying as soon as possible. Never pay for scholarship searches. The reputable sources are always free.

“From afar it seems like a puzzle. But when we get into it, the facts come alive and paint a pretty clear, affordable picture.”

Scot Kraemer skraemer@Olivet.edu

“I love being able to walk with students through their financial aid offers and see the excitement as the next adventure unfolds in their lives.”

What if we have a remaining balance?

The reality for most college students is that scholarships and government assistance alone don’t fully cover tuition expenses. The remaining portion can be covered by parent loans, student loans or payment plans. There are many federal and private loan options. You should know that private student loans require a cosigner. Payment plan options are unique to each institution. Financial aid isn’t a one-size-fits-all process, so work with your financial aid adviser to explore your best options.

Tyler McLean tmclean@Olivet.edu

“It is such a privilege to help students and families, providing individualized attention and care as they explore their financial aid. Every situation is different, and I love sharing their excitement as we work together to create an affordable path to Olivet.”

What is a parent’s best resource for information?

This process can be overwhelming, so don’t be afraid to lean on financial aid advisers. They will work with you to find financial aid solutions based on your needs. Ask the tough questions and stay informed. The more involved you are, the easier it will be.

Olivet’s financial aid team is available to answer your questions. Call 800-648-1463 and ask for a team member by name, or reach out via email.

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Noëlle Fitzpatrick

Hometown: Crete, Illinois Major: Studio Arts “I attended Prairie State College to get my associate degree and had planned to transfer to Governors State University. But after I graduated from PSC, I received a letter from Olivet. After talking about the possibility with my parents, the only thing I knew for sure was that I want God as the foundation of my life. I knew He could work through me anywhere I went, but I also wanted my schooling to reflect that. “I enrolled at Olivet right before Christmas break and needed some technological help with finalizing the details. When campus opened up, my mom and I met with the ladies from the admissions team the same weekend as the new-student orientation event. I toured campus and heard about the cool events and activities that happen at Olivet. I left that day with peace and excitement for the semester to start that next week.

TRANSFERCENTRIC Each year, more than 100 students transfer to Olivet Nazarene University to complete their college education. The Office of Admissions has a dedicated team of professionals who work exclusively with prospective transfer students to provide a smooth transition from one college experience to the next. Olivet offers competitive transfer scholarships, and students find that most of their credits transfer to the University.

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“I’ve enjoyed the environment at Olivet — there are so many great people. The weather was brutal over the winter, but there was a week in the spring that the temperature got to around 60 degrees, and it felt like summer. One of my professors sent our class outside to draw. When we came inside for our art critique, two of the other students had drawn me and my other friend in their artwork. I felt that we all got to know each other better because of it. “My advice to other students considering transferring is that sometimes God opens a door that you didn’t even consider to be a possibility, but still the decision is yours whether you walk through it or not. If you are willing to put in the work, you will do well wherever you go.”

Shelby O’Reilly

Hometown: Braidwood, Illinois Major: Nursing “After high school, I took a gap year and completed a phlebotomy certificate. I started taking some general education courses while working as an inpatient phlebotomist at a hospital. I then completed a yearlong medical assistant program at Joliet Junior College. I realized that nursing was the career I wanted to pursue. The idea of committing to a bachelor’s degree had always been intimidating to me, but once I knew nursing was what I wanted for my career, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply to Olivet instead of starting nursing at a community college. “I looked at many different colleges, but I knew Olivet was the right fit for me after talking with the transfer admissions counselor, Lauren Rybolt. She took the time to get to know me, made me feel comfortable, answered all of my questions and even had multiple video calls with me throughout the process. That personal connection made a huge difference and helped me feel confident about choosing Olivet. I would encourage any transfer student to talk directly with someone at the college, whether that’s in person or through a virtual meeting. It gives you a better sense of the school’s mission, atmosphere and whether it feels like the right place for you. “One of my biggest highlights so far has been seeing how much the professors genuinely care about getting to know their students. I’ve never experienced this type of atmosphere in academics before, and it really makes me feel supported.

Jaleb Kies

Hometown: Channahon, Illinois Major: Physical Education “I started off at Joliet Junior College and did two years there. I was on the cross-country and track team there, and we went to a lot of meets at Olivet and every time I came here, I was amazed by how nice this campus is. Also, seeing the bond that [the ONU] team had just seemed special. “My transfer experience was really pretty easy. I knew Olivet was truly the right fit during the orientation days because of how good the speakers were, and the chapel services were really good. Also learning about how good the education program is here, I know that if I finish the program and get my degree, I will most likely be getting a job. “Connecting here has gone really well for me. All the activities that there are at the start of the year just gave so many opportunities to meet people and create friends. All the RAs in my building have done a really good job at connecting with us and getting us involved in activities with the school or just in our building. Some of the highlights would definitely be the Ollies Follies games. “If you are looking for a school that really cares about you and cares about your relationship with God, then I know this is the place for you. If you are thinking about transferring here and are not sure, just take a visit, and you will see how kind everyone is on campus, along with how nice all the facilities are.”

“It’s OK if your college experience doesn’t look like the ‘standard’ path. Everyone’s journey is different, and everything happens in God’s timing. Stay true to yourself, work hard and trust that everything else will work out.”

For more information, visit Olivet.edu/Admissions/transfer-students. OLIVET.EDU

STUDENT SUCCESS GUIDE

So, you’re still exploring what to do with your life. You’re not alone. Each year, about 17% of students entering college haven’t declared or decided on a major. Around 15% of Olivet Nazarene University’s incoming students are unsure of their exact field of study. Considering that nearly 50% of all college students change their major (at least once), why worry? At Olivet higher education is focused on the liberal arts — where you get to explore all areas of knowledge and understanding: literature, science, religion, mathematics, health and the arts. Not every student has a simple answer when asked the unavoidable question, “What’s your major?” Welcome to the perfect place to explore all the possibilities that question presents.

CENTER FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

The Debbie & Richard Dykhouse Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) exists to strengthen academic behaviors, provide academic support and foster academic scholarship for all undergraduate students from enrollment through degree completion. The CAE connects students with valuable resources to make the most of their college experience, including accessibility and disability resources, the Department of General Studies, the Writing Center and general academic support.

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PURSUE A CAREER BASED ON A CALLING Our biggest encouragement is to start by asking God to direct you in your decisions. Listen for His answers and His promptings as your explore your options. Review Olivet’s 200-plus areas of study. List careers you might want to pursue. Consider the majors that will help you get there.

ASK THESE QUESTIONS: What is most important to me in a career? In which areas do I naturally excel? What do I most enjoy doing? Which majors fit best with my personality? What do I most think about regarding the future? For which issue or cause am I most passionate? If I could do anything I wanted and knew I’d succeed, what career path would I choose? What is God’s dream for me?

SETTLE INTO COLLEGE

Attend the two-day JumpStart New Student Conference. This event brings new students together before the beginning of classes to introduce you to college life and jump-start your Olivet experience. Sophomore, junior and senior students serve as mentors for you as you arrive on campus. These mentors help you move in; attend the JumpStart Conference with you and your freshman or transfer group; and support you throughout your first semester at Olivet. All new students complete a series of JumpStart modules designed to start before your first semester of classes begins and to continue through the first few weeks of the semester. The modules cover many of the resources and tools needed to thrive at Olivet. Additionally, taking classes like the general studies course Life, Vocation, and Calling is specifically designed to help students explore majors and career paths. Additionally, undecided students are encouraged to take the first course in up to two areas of interest. Sample before committing. Take advantage of free access to resources like PathwayU, which provides four assessments that help you learn more about your values, workplace preferences, interests and personality.

CHART A PATH OF SUCCESS

As you plan your college schedule with the help of your faculty academic adviser, you can consult Olivet’s online course catalog for a list of available majors and the required coursework for each degree path. Talk with professors about their own work experiences and alumni connections you should contact. Learn more about the careers that interest you by reaching out to professionals in those fields and making arrangements to interview them or shadow them on the job. Look for summer internships that will expand your understanding of a particular job or industry.

THEN, FIND THE ANSWERS HERE: General Studies

The Department of General Studies strives to create an environment that encourages students to explore all their educational and academic interests and assists students in identifying their specific career or calling. Dedicated full-time faculty members provide guided support in developing different graduation plans as students explore various majors.

Academic Support

Peer educators help students working toward mastery of course content or looking to build academic skills. Tailoring each session to the needs of the learner helps to create purposeful and intentional pathways toward academic achievement. Students develop greater understanding, improve critical thinking skills and learn the value of independent scholarship, empowering them to persist in their studies.

Career Development

Students explore careers and employment opportunities using a variety of resources. Assistance with résumés, cover letters, the job search process and interviewing skills sets students apart in the professional world. Job fairs give potential employers opportunities to meet students. The Handshake platform connects employers with job seekers and job seekers with employment.

Counseling Services

When stresses build, professional counselors are available to help students grow and succeed. Students’ well-being is the top priority at Olivet.

Persistence Coaching

Persistence coaching is a personalized support service that helps college students stay on track academically, socially and emotionally throughout their college journey. Persistence coaches work one-on-one with students to set goals, build effective habits, manage time, connect with resources and overcome challenges that might otherwise interfere with their progress toward graduation.

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STAYING CLOSE WHILE LETTING GO What To Do After the Dorm Room Hug Goodbye Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott

Every year, early autumn brings a curious emotional weather system to neighborhoods across the country. It’s a strange mix of pride, hope, sadness and displacement — parents standing curbside after the minivan is unloaded, wondering how to feel now that the child they raised is sleeping in a stranger-filled dorm and ordering Uber Eats at midnight.

It’s called a “developmental shift” — a moment when your role as a parent doesn’t disappear but is fundamentally redefined. What makes it harder now is how tightly knit many families have become. Compared to just one generation ago, today’s parents are more involved in nearly every aspect of their children’s lives. Research identifies “emerging adulthood” as a stage stretching from ages 18 to 29 — a time when your son or daughter is still forming identity and often relying on you for emotional scaffolding, even as they seek independence. So if you feel anxious, that’s not irrational; it’s relational. For years, you’ve been in the front seat of their life, helping steer the course. Now it can feel like you’ve been asked to get out of the car altogether. So how do you stay connected without overstepping? How do you support growth without micromanaging? And what does it look like to “let go” without disappearing altogether?

1. Acknowledge the Grief Behind the Joy No one talks enough about the quiet sadness of this season. You’re excited — yes. But also disoriented. That’s normal. Studies show parents often experience symptoms of grief after launching a child to college, especially when their identity has been closely tied to hands-on parenting. Don’t suppress that emotion. The more you acknowledge the ache, the more room you make for grace. So, name it. Talk about it with friends. Pray through it. The more honest you are about your own heart, the more empathy you’ll offer to your student’s. 2. Shift From Managing to Mentoring This is the season to trade control for connection. College students don’t need every problem solved — they need someone who believes they can solve it. Instead of offering answers, ask thoughtful questions. Affirm their instincts. Cheer on their courage. That doesn’t mean vanishing. It means being present in a new way. It means pivoting from “parent as manager” to “parent as mentor.” 3. Resist the Urge to Over-Connect It’s tempting to text constantly or follow every campus update. But over-connection will undermine independence. Healthy separation is a key developmental task for college students. Instead of checking in out of your own anxiety, create a rhythm that works for both of you — a weekly FaceTime, a Sunday night call, a monthly care package. Let your presence be felt without being omnipresent.

4. Trust the Formation Process Olivet isn’t just a university — it’s a special community of spiritual formation. Your student will encounter professors, peers, chapel services and conversations that shape their faith in profound ways. Let that be a comfort. The same God who watched over their first day of kindergarten is walking with them now. God’s hand on their life didn’t pause when you pulled out of the parking lot and drove tearfully onto Interstate 57. 5. Rediscover the Gift of This New Season Here’s the part few parents expect: This transition, while bittersweet, is also fertile ground for growth in your own life. You may rediscover passions once shelved. You may invest in your marriage or deepen your own faith. Parenting doesn’t end when your child goes to college. But something else begins: the beautiful, humbling joy of watching them become. In the end, it’s OK to feel conflicted. It’s OK to cry. But it’s also OK to celebrate. You’re not being left behind — you’re being invited into a new kind of relationship. And that’s something to embrace, not fear. Les Parrott ’84, Ph.D., and Leslie (Young) Parrott ’84, Ed.D., are No. 1 New York Times bestselling authors of numerous books, including Healthy Me Healthy Us. See LesAndLeslie.com.

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

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Lauren Beatty

You can go to college anywhere. That is, perhaps, a controversial thing for a university marketing department to publish. But it’s true. There are nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States for students to choose from and as many areas of study as one can imagine. However, not every higher education institution offers an experience that encourages students to grow mind, body and soul. There are even fewer that focus first on spiritual development. The mission of Olivet Nazarene University is to provide high-quality academic instruction for the purpose of personal development, career and professional readiness, and the preparation of individuals for lives of service to God and humanity. We know that in order to set up our students for success beyond the graduation stage, they need to develop a confident sense of self within a supportive community — one that inspires growth of their faith, their social connections, their mental and physical well-being, and, of course, their academic preparation. You can go to college anywhere, but we hope you choose somewhere that will stimulate exceptional levels of growth. We believe that place is Olivet.

Focus on Faith Olivet seeks to provide a community-centered environment in which students can find the intersection of belief and belonging as they center their lives around Jesus. The University is founded on Christian principles and lifestyle standards, but the student body represents more than 35 denominations, religions and faith backgrounds, which bring forth diversity of thought and conversation. As part of their Christian liberal arts education, Olivet students complete courses that unpack the relevance of Scripture and Christian traditions. Faculty incorporate devotionals into their curriculum and create an environment for asking questions and seeking answers. Beyond the classroom, opportunities abound for students to further their faith journeys through corporate worship, studentled ministries and community engagement projects.

The Office of Spiritual Development exists to equip spiritual leaders to partner with God in shalom. Twice a week, students, faculty and staff gather in the 3,000-seat Betty and Kenneth Hawkins Centennial Chapel to participate through worship and to receive instruction and encouragement from guest speakers including pastors, authors, business leaders, professional athletes and artists. While chapel services are an essential avenue for spiritual growth on campus, students are also highly encouraged to engage in local church congregations during their time at Olivet. Spiritual life programming, both on and off campus, seeks to equip leaders who are strong in their spiritual formation and creates a vibrant campus environment in which all students feel they belong. Through intentional discipleship practices, students are invited into a deeper relationship with Jesus that transforms every area of life and prepares them to faithfully follow Him wherever He calls. That discipleship pathway is focused on the hope that the campus community will be with Jesus; become like Him; do what He did; and go where He leads. Many of these activities are wrapped into the Shalom Project, an initiative whose mission is to inspire, empower and equip the campus community in the creative act of restoring broken relationships through ministry opportunities on and off campus. Ministry groups that cater to the campus community include Prayer Warriors, a group that empowers and encourages the campus through prayer and Scripture study, and Heart4Missions, which provides a space for students to learn more about missional service. Off-campus volunteer opportunities include groups like Clay to Crown, which partners with the local pregnancy resource center; Manna, which serves the local homeless population; Kingdom Builders, a ministry that uses building and construction projects to benefit families in Pembroke and Kankakee; and Aspire Mentoring, which partners with the City Life Center to provide tutoring and mentoring for local middle and high school students. Each year the entire campus community is encouraged to participate in Serve Day to support the work of local community organizations. Students also benefit

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from exposure to faith in action in different parts of the country and the world on yearly Go Trips. These cross-cultural encounters help to expand students’ worldviews and perspectives on how people live around the world.

Expand the Mind A strong educational foundation sets up students for success in careers full of meaning and purpose, and Olivet is consistently ranked and endorsed as a top institution for its academic programs. The University offers more than 150 majors, minors and concentrations to undergraduate students (and an additional 20-plus areas of study for Graduate and Continuing Studies candidates). Most areas of study require mentored learning experiences, such as clinical rotations, student teaching, job shadowing or internships. These opportunities allow students to apply what they have learned in the classroom directly into the industry in which they are pursuing a career. Students have completed internships with industry leaders including NASA, the Grand Rapids Museum of Art, Plante Moran, the Mississippi Aquarium, the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Nucor Steel and Caterpillar Inc. as well as local churches, hospitals, school districts, political campaigns, nonprofit organizations and more. Students are encouraged to pursue research projects under faculty mentorship to deepen their comprehension of a subject as they contribute to the global knowledge base. Those who are interested in exploring internationally may spend a semester or summer studying off campus through more than 15 established partnerships with higher education institutions which promote interactive scholarship from Oxford to Honduras to Uganda. As they combine travel with education, students gain insight into and appreciation for the varied cultures, languages and traditions that exist elsewhere in the world.

Body in Motion The residential nature of Olivet facilitates ample opportunities for students to develop socially, emotionally and physically. The University offers more than 90 academic department service clubs, organizations, multiethnic affinity associations, interest groups and honor societies to cater to the wide range of interests and passions represented in the student body.

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Each semester, the Office of Student Development plans a full program of social activities across campus for students to have fun and build inclusive relationships. Students enjoy yearly traditions and special activities, including Ollies Follies class competitions, the Rock and Glow silent disco, an annual Christmas party, live-band karaoke, the Mr. ONU skit and talent show, plays and musicals, outdoor movies, contemporary music concerts provided by Shine.FM, and other gatherings that encourage students to connect with their peers. Opportunities to partner with administration to enact positive change on campus are also available through student government positions of class representative or president. Athletic Activities The Perry Student Life and Recreation Center houses a swimming pool, a four-story climbing wall, a field house, fitness facilities, weekly exercise classes, study spaces and gaming areas — all of which are available for students to use for free. Olivet also boasts a robust intramural program with 20 sports offered at a variety of levels. On average, more than 800 students participate in at least one intramural sport each year. Students who want to play sports at an intercollegiate competitive level can go through the recruitment process for any of the University’s 23 varsity athletic teams or the men’s club ice hockey team. Coed sports include cheerleading and varsity esports. Olivet athletic teams compete nationally through affiliation in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and through conference play in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC), Mid-States Football Association and Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (swimming). Multiple alumni have built on their college training to compete professionally with teams including the Chicago Cubs, the New York Yankees, the Chicago Fire and USA Track and Field. For 15 consecutive years, Olivet’s athletic program won the CCAC All-Sports Cup, which is based on championships and rankings across CCAC-affiliated sports. In addition, when it comes to success in the classroom, hundreds of Olivet athletes are consistently named to the CCAC All-Academic Team each year. Scholarships are available for many student-athletes.

Engaging in the Arts From its inception as a liberal arts higher education institution, Olivet has supported creative growth through performances and exhibitions that feature student accomplishments in the areas of drama, art and music. ONU Theatre produces a full season of musicals and plays ranging from Broadway favorites to Pulitzer Prize winners to original productions. Many shows are student-directed, and all productions allow for student involvement beyond the stage, including costuming, choreography, set design, set construction, sound design, lighting design and production assistant roles.

Making the Most

Students who are interested in artistic exploration may take courses within the Department of Art and Digital Media. Rotating exhibitions are displayed in gallery areas around campus throughout the year to showcase student work. There are also a variety of on-campus student photography, videography and graphic designer roles that allow students to gain work experience as they hone their craft.

We want our students to grow personally and professionally as they make the most of their college experience, and we know that the basis of that growth is a healthy sense of belonging within a community, which is something our students, faculty, staff and alumni constantly mention when talking about what makes Olivet a great institution.

Since 2015, the Victorian House Gallery has served as the Department of Art and Digital Media’s dedicated visiting artist exhibition space at Olivet. The gallery has featured contemporary visual artists from across the United States and hosts three to four exhibitions each year that are free and open to the public. More than 700 students are involved annually in the over 20 vocal and instrumental ensembles offered through the School of Music. Regardless of major, all students who are musically inclined are encouraged to get involved. Groups include the Tiger Marching Band, University Orchestra, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Orpheus Choir, Proclamation Gospel Choir, Concert Singers, Sound of Praise and Piano Ensemble. These and many other ensembles offer some merit-based and participation scholarships.

Regardless of what students choose to study, there are endless opportunities for growth while experiencing life at Olivet, which has been committed to offering an “Education With a Christian Purpose” since 1907. The mission to be a higher education institution that holistically strengthens the minds as well as the physical and spiritual well-being of students has remained as the school continues to grow programs, invest in infrastructure, enhance accessibility, evolve policies and increase the capacity to care for campus and online communities.

You can go to college anywhere, but we believe that you belong here. Lauren Beatty ’13 is a freelance writer, author and editor and an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication at Olivet. She earned a Master of Arts degree in cross-cultural and sustainable business management from the American University of Paris in 2014. Her thesis explored the evolution of socially responsible business practices in America. In 2020 she co-founded Philo Collective, a small business offering European-inspired baked goods, yoga classes, workshops and other events.

The School of Music offers a variety of performance opportunities, including annual performances of Handel’s Messiah and the holiday favorite Sounds of the Season concert, and it partners with ONU Theatre to produce the spring musical. Additionally, many music ensembles travel throughout the country and around the world to minister through music. The Tiger Marching Band has performed in London, in Rome and at the U.S. presidential inauguration; Concert Singers has traveled to Greece, Paraguay, Brazil and Bulgaria; and Orpheus Choir has taken trips to Kenya, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

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IN PURSUIT OF A CALLING: A PROCESS IN BECOMING

Dr. Amber Residori

“One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is ongoing learning, a commitment to stretching and a life filled with intellectual, personal and professional growth.”

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Society puts an immense amount of pressure on young adults to figure out what they want to do “when they grow up.” Common questions of juniors and seniors in high school center on where they plan to go to college and what they want to study — both of which imply that young adults should have their next steps perfectly calculated and planned. Perhaps a better focus should be on who they want to become, suggests Amber Residori ’93/’17 Ed.D., chair of the Department of Social Work and Criminal Justice at Olivet Nazarene University. In addition to having spent more than a decade in the classroom as a faculty member at Olivet, Dr. Residori is a licensed clinical social worker who has worked extensively in residential treatment settings with youth and adolescents who struggle with emotional and behavioral disorders. She frequently speaks to incoming freshmen and transfer students about spending less time fretting about picking a major and more time considering their inherent talents and abilities and how they might use those gifts to build a purpose-driven life. “I wish I had a megaphone and permission to walk the hallways of high schools everywhere so I could tell students, ‘You do NOT need to have a major picked before coming to college,’” says Dr. Residori. “Students put a lot of pressure on themselves to have huge life decisions made before they’re even 18 years old. Choosing a career [path] is important … but it is far more important for students — especially as they make college visits — to ask questions and understand how a university will walk beside them, guide them and help lead them through a process of finding their calling, rather than to immediately commit to a major.” Part of the process of becoming is for students to experiment. Dr. Residori emphasizes that one of the simplest ways to figure out what the best college fit will be is to visit different campus environments. “You don’t need to have everything figured out,” she says. “You just need to take the next step. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re on a campus, and imagine yourself growing, learning and developing beside the students, professors and staff you meet during your visit.” It can also be very beneficial to connect with mentors, family members, coaches and friends who appear to be grounded in purposeful careers and volunteer work. Asking questions about their personal journeys can be very enlightening for young adults, but Dr. Residori cautions against idolizing their apparent successes.

“We admire the accomplishments of our role models and often want to capture their unique qualities so that we can emulate their success,” she says. “Ironically, these role models would likely explain that they have not yet fully become. Instead, their unique quality is that they have never quit becoming. They have been mindful to capture valuable life lessons that were embedded within failure and success and within the mundane and the exciting. “You see, individuals who have truly become never settle. They stretch themselves so that they are constantly in the process of developing, improving and transforming. One of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves is ongoing learning, a commitment to stretching and a life filled with intellectual, personal and professional growth.” Olivet, a liberal arts institution, is committed to guiding students through the growth-filled process of becoming. A liberal arts education offers a comprehensive way of teaching young adults how to think — not what to think — so they become wellrounded individuals. This holistic approach exposes students to an array of academic disciplines like the arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, all of which count toward graduation requirements. “Employers want to hire individuals who have strong character and can think comprehensively, communicate well, consider alternatives when solving problems and work successfully within a team,” says Dr. Residori. “A liberal arts education provides these skills and prepares students for a lifetime of becoming. We know that college years are a key time in students’ lives when they continue to clarify their values, morals and the lens through which they see the world, so where they attend college and who walks beside them matters immensely.” Certain jobs and industries require specific educational trainings, licensing and postgraduate degrees, but Dr. Residori suggests that everyone can benefit from educational opportunities that integrate personal development into career preparedness. “Our students become doctors, social workers, engineers, accountants, pastors and countless other careers while fulfilling dreams they may have imagined since childhood,” she says. “But, more importantly, our students become men and women who lead, who are committed to ongoing growth, and who strive to glorify God as they serve professionally and personally. Becoming is a process, and we are grateful for the privilege of walking beside students as they realize how their unique qualities were designed by God to serve His kingdom and love His people in incredible ways.” OLIVET.EDU

AT A GLANCE

STUDENTS

ATHLETICS

MISSION

More than 3,200 (2,500 undergraduates) from nearly every U.S. state, 25 countries and more than 35 religious denominations.

Home of the Tigers, Olivet Nazarene University fields 23 intercollegiate teams. Olivet provides competitive athletic awards and scholarships for qualifying candidates. Varsity teams for men include basketball, baseball, cheerleading, crosscountry, football, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. Varsity teams for women include basketball, cheerleading, crosscountry, golf, soccer, softball, flag football, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. In addition to varsity sports, more than half the student body participate in Olivet’s thriving intramural and club sports programs.

“We seek the strongest scholarship and the deepest piety, knowing that they are thoroughly compatible ... and a Christian environment where not only knowledge but character is sought.” — University Catalog, 1915

ALUMNI Olivet Nazarene University has graduated many notable alumni who have given back to the University, the Olivet region, the Church and the world in so many ways. There are more than 40,000 living alumni making a worldwide impact.

ACADEMICS Over 150 areas of undergraduate study and graduate degrees, including the Doctor of Education: Ethical Leadership, offered on campus and online through the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Professional Studies and the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Study‑abroad opportunities have included Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, Egypt, Honduras, Romania, Japan, Uganda, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

ACCREDITATION Olivet Nazarene University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Specialized accreditation includes the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council on Social Work Education, the National Association of Schools of Music and the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. In addition, the Teacher Education program is recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as an education preparation provider.

COLLEGIATE IDENTITY University Colors: Purple and gold Motto and Tagline: “Education With a Christian Purpose” and “We Believe. You Belong Here.” Mascot: Toby the Tiger Religious Affiliation: Church of the Nazarene School Song: “Alma Mater, Olivet” by Byron Carmony ’39 University Seal: Symbol of truth and justice; containing the dove of peace, the cross, the lamp of learning and the Holy Bible

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS More than 90 clubs and organizations representing diverse interests, including a campus yearbook and literary magazine; Enactus business club; Student Philanthropy Council; ROTC; radio broadcasting (Shine.FM); numerous choral and instrumental ensembles (including ONU Marching Band and the University Orchestra); drama and musical theatre performances; intramural athletics; and community volunteer and spiritual life organizations.

CAMPUS Olivet Nazarene University has a beautiful, park-like campus featuring 35 major buildings on 275 acres. Located in the village of Bourbonnais, Illinois, just 45 miles south of Chicago’s Loop, the campus is situated on what was once tallgrass prairie. While not much of the original habitat remains, caretakers of the University have spent the past few decades intentionally planting trees native to the area as well as diversifying the flora. In 2022 Olivet joined the ranks of internationally accredited arboreta with a Level I Certification through the Morton Arboretum’s interactive community, ArbNet.

SPIRITUAL LIFE This Christian community is committed to making worship of God the central focus of our lives. Our faith in Jesus Christ cannot be separated from the educational experience, and we seek to honor God in all we learn, say and do. Through chapel services, each segment of the University community has the opportunity to join with others in worship and receive instruction in the Word and encouragement to serve. Notable and world‑renowned speakers regularly address the Olivet community during chapel.

ACCOLADES Regularly among the Best Colleges in U.S. News rankings, Olivet Nazarene University has also been a top 10 Best Value School for multiple years and has earned special recognition for Social Mobility. In 2024 Olivet was named a Four-Star College by Money Magazine, and Forbes ranked the McGraw School of Business MBA No. 9 in the U.S. in the Best MBA Accelerated Online Programs category. A recognized College of Distinction for more than a dozen years, Olivet received special badges for the schools of Business, STEM, Education and Nursing. WalletHub also ranked Olivet in its top 10 list of Best Colleges & Universities in Illinois.

BY THE NUMBERS

VOLUMES IN ONU BENNER LIBRARY AND RESOURCE CENTER

from Olivet

to Chicago

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC TEAMS

500+

students in music ensembles

3,200

INTRAMURAL SPORTS AND TOURNAMENTS, WITH MORE THAN 1,540 PARTICIPANTS EACH YEAR

annual global and local mission trips

AREAS OF STUDY

UNDERGRADUATE AREAS OF STUDY A N D G R A D UAT E D E G R E E P R O G R A M S

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Art Art – Studio Art Art Education Communication Studies Corporate Communication English English as a Second Language English as a Second Language Education English Education History Leadership Studies Legal Studies Literature Multimedia Communication Multimedia Communication – Film Studies Multimedia Communication – Journalism Multimedia Communication – Live Event Media Management Multimedia Communication – Radio/Audio Media

Multimedia Communication – TV/Video Production Musical Theatre Photography Political Science Political Science – Public Policy Pre-Art Therapy Pre-Law Psychology Public Relations & Strategic Communication Social Science Education Sociology Spanish Spanish Education Theatre Production & Performance Writing SCHOOL OF MUSIC Music Music – Commercial Music Music – Composition Music Education Music – Performance Music – Recording Arts Worship Arts

WALKER SCHOOL OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS Actuarial Science Biology Chemistry Chemistry – Biochemistry Chemistry – Earth/Environmental Chemistry Chemistry – Forensics Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence Computer Science – Software Development Computer Science – Software Entrepreneurship Computing Technology Cybersecurity Cybersecurity – AI Cyber Data Science Earth & Space Science Engineering – Architectural Engineering – Chemical & Biochemical Engineering – Civil Engineering – Computer Engineering – Electrical Engineering – Mechanical Environmental Science Geography Geological Science Geological Science – Geochemistry Geological Science – Geotechnical

Geological Science – Life Science Information Technology Mathematics Mathematics Education Physical Sciences Pre-Dental Pre-Medicine Pre-Optometry Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Physician’s Assistant Pre-Veterinary Science Education – Biology Science Education – Chemistry Science Education – Earth/Space Science Zoology COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES Criminal Justice Criminal Justice – Criminology Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Health Education Interior & Architectural Design Kinesiology Kinesiology – Exercise Physiology Kinesiology – Pre-Athletic Training Kinesiology – Pre-Occupational Therapy Kinesiology – Pre-Physical Therapy Military Affairs Military Science Physical Education Physical Education Teaching, Grades K–12 Recreation & Sport Studies Social Work Sport Management SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Child Development Early Childhood Education Elementary Education Special Education Master of Arts in Education: Curriculum and Instruction Master of Arts in Education: Educational Leadership Master of Arts in Education: Reading Specialist Doctor of Education: Ethical Leadership

MCGRAW SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND CHRISTIAN MINISTRY

Accounting Business – Human Resource Management Business – Management Business – Operations Management Business – Philanthropy/Not‑forProfit Business – Public Administration Business Administration Economics Economics & Finance – Applied Economics Economics & Finance – Certified Financial Planning Economics & Finance – Corporate Finance Entrepreneurship Finance International Business Management Management Information Systems Marketing Marketing – Commercial Graphics Marketing – Corporate Relations Marketing – International Marketing – Management Master of Business Administration Master of Organizational Leadership

Biblical Languages Biblical Studies Children’s Ministry Christian Education Christian Ministry Christian Studies Greek Hebrew Intercultural Studies Ministerial Missions Pastoral Ministry Philosophy Philosophy & Religion Pre-Seminary Theology Youth Ministry Master of Arts: Christian Ministry Master of Arts: Family Ministry Master of Arts: Ministerial Studies Master of Arts: Missional Multiplication Master of Arts: Pastoral Leadership Master of Arts: Pastoral Ministry Master of Arts: Religion Master of Arts: Urban Ministry Master of Divinity Master of Ministry Master of Ministry: Spanish

SCHOOL OF NURSING Nursing Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Master of Science in Nursing: Education Master of Science in Nursing: Transformational Leadership RN to BSN

ONE UNIVERSITY AVENUE BOURBONNAIS, IL 60914

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PURPLE & GOLD DAYS:

Nov. 6–7, 13; Dec. 4; Jan. 22, 29; Feb. 26–27; March 19; April 2–3, 16, 30