Olivet University hosted this year’s New Way Media & Arts Festival in collaboration with the Olivet College of Art & Design (OCAD) and CARE/GTU in Berkeley on Thursday, December 17.  The event, led by Olivet Theological College & Seminary Distinguished Professor Dr. David Randolph, featured an exhibition of student artwork from the fall semester.

Dr. Randolph opened the event with chapel service discussing Christianity in the visual age. 

He was followed by keynote speaker Dan Shumaker, a graduate of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary and design professional. His talk was a wholehearted testimony about his path to becoming a Christian, and the influence of his faith on his artistry. He encouraged students to maintain themselves by maintaining their faith in the midst of professional opportunities and pressures. He also exhorted students to share Jesus Christ through their lives and work. 

The student reaction to his keynote was overwhelming positive. Said Mazda Rosalyn, a third year graphic design student at Olivet College of Art & Design (OCAD), “Mr. Shumaker’s presentation impressed me a lot with the importance of maintaining a deep relationship with God in the process of fulfilling my dreams to become a design professional."

The evening continued with a screening of short films created by students in Dr. Randolph fall semester course Art & Theology.  An invitation to view graphic design and digital imaging works from Olivet College of Art & Design students followed in the exhibition gallery. 

Art from students studying on-campus and at a distance was among the work showcased, both in print and digital formats. The exhibition featured artwork from Christian artists across the country, including Todd Goehner, a graphic design professor at John Brown University. Goehner contributed a series of Bible-inspired poster designs combining humor with resonating messages to encourage Bible reading.

A Christmas concert by the Jubilee College of Music choir led by Dean Dr. Merril Smoak closed the evening’s main events.  Words of farewell and blessing from Dr. Randolph, Dean of Olivet College of Business Dr. Tom Cowley, and Dean of Olivet Theological Seminary Dr. Joseph Ray Tallman were followed by a special reception for guests.