|
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
CAT: “I am an outgoing person who loves to meet new people. I have an eclectic taste in music and an even more eclectic taste in fashion - my friends can attest to this! God and I have a pretty awesome relationship, although he always seems to be one step ahead of me. I admit I am somewhat of a perfectionist, but I work my hardest in everything I do. I am not a tomboy by any means, but I am not afraid of getting dirty either. Marilyn Monroe is my absolute favorite!”
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ART AS YOUR MAJOR?
CAT: “I have been drawing and painting ever sinceI can remember. It was always my favorite subject in school. I had an amazing art teacher in high school and took every single class I could, but I was hesitant to pursue a major in art. What could you do with an art degree? I had no clue. I originally came to Judson looking to major in Business. I started my freshman year without a single art class and I was miserable. Art was such a big part of my life, and I missed it so much. So I switched majors the following year and I have been working towards my Art degree ever since.”
DID YOU HAVE A LOT OF ENCOURAGEMENT GROWING UP?
CAT: “I told my parents I had switched my major, and all they had to say was, “It’s about time!” Art has always been instilled in me; I have been exposed to it my entire life. My family is very artistic: My mom is a talented painter who also went to carpentry school and my grandfather is a jeweler who teaches classes part-time. My grandmother is an avid fiber artist and quilter, and I also have an aunt and uncle who are professional musicians.”
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT ART?
CAT: “I live for art. It consumes every aspect of my life. I love to create things and to present new ideas, and, in turn, to see new ideas that others have presented. To me, good art is like good food: It warms your soul and you feel renewed because of it. I feel like my life makes sense with art in it. I can put all my stresses and worries aside and put my heart into what I’m working on and somehow it comes together. It’s not always amazing when it’s finished, but I always learn and grow through the process.”
NAME SOME INTERESTING PROJECTS YOU’VE DONE IN THE PAST, BOTH IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE ART DEPARTMENT?
CAT: “This past year I learned how to weld! Our design class was given an assignment to make a sculptural piece of furniture, so I welded a functional chair out of steel round and re-bar. It was an awesome experience; I had never done anything like that before. I have also had opportunities to do permanent installations at Donovan Lakes Park in Perry County, and I have been honored to make scene backdrops for a local theater production. For Halloween last year the Art Club put together a sideshow carnival display as a part of Treats on Bibb Street, one of Judson’s many community outreaches. I got to be, well, half of a Siamese twin!”
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE JUDSON COLLEGE?
CAT: “I really love to travel, so I wanted to attend college somewhere out of the Sunshine State. I visited a college fair where Judson had a table set up. My mom actually grabbed me and pulled me over to the table . . . Since most of my friends in high school were guys, the last place I ever wanted to go was an all-girls school. No, thank you . . .
But the more I looked at what Judson had to offer, the more interested I became in the school: The small campus and student body made for a tightly-knit community, the class sizes were comfortable so every professor knew their students by name, and the entire college was Christian-based, so I would be able to express my faith freely and openly. That was the most important part. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Marion Military Institute was about six blocks away (the boy’s school). That was important too! (laughs)
Needless to say, we packed up and took a road trip to one of Judson’s Scholarship Weekends for high school seniors. It was really a God thing. I had been praying and praying about the school and what I should do, and everything began to fall into place. My recruiter and advisors walked me through each step of the application process. Everyone I met was so cordial and welcoming and helpful, it really gave me such peace about attending college here that fall. I’m sure it also gave my parents peace to know that their daughter would be taken care of.”
WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE YOU INVOLVED IN ON CAMPUS?
CAT: “Currently I am involved in way too much! It’s typical of students here; there are just so many things you can get yourself into. Right now, I am President of the Art Club, but I have also been a part of Social Committee and acted as Vice President for my sophomore class. I also enjoy volunteering to help with Campus Ministries outreaches to the community, and I regularly attend a college study at Siloam Baptist Church.”
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO DO AT JUDSON?
CAT: “There is always something crazy going on in the dorms! My freshman year we (TP) rolled almost every room on our hall, including our Resident Director’s room (We love you, Jodi!). Mattress sliding down the stairs is always fun, too. Hockey Day is the best day of the year! I have also spent many afternoons in a study group on the hockey field trying to cram for finals. The Christenberry Dining Hall (believe it or not) is a favorite place of mine since it’s the one time I get to sit and catch up with people I don’t usually see in a weekday.”
HOW HAVE YOU GROWN SINCE COMING TO JUDSON?
CAT: “I have grown so much spiritually since the beginning of my freshman year. I have learned that it is so crucial to have a group of friends that will uplift your faith and beliefs. It is refreshing to know that there are young women my age that believe the same things I do, and that God has blessed me with their friendships at Judson. I have also grown to be more independent since attending Judson. I’ve enjoyed the freedom of being on my own, but I’ve also discovered that freedom requires a lot of work and responsibility.”
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN ART THIS YEAR?
CAT: “This year, Judson has hired a new art professor, Mr. Jamie Adams. I am looking forward to discovering another artist’s perspective and direction for our department. The Art Department has also received a new printing press, thanks to a generous donor.”
WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO AFTER GRADUATING?
CAT: “Some girls come to Judson knowing exactly what they want to do with their lives, whether it is becoming a doctor or a teacher or a social worker. I’ve never been dead-set on a specific career, so I don’t feel I can say I have made a career choice yet. I want to do a lot of things: I’ve thought about fashion design, marketing and buying, managing a boutique or gallery, working at a museum, teaching art, becoming a photographer or becoming a full-time artist. To tell you the truth, I have no idea what career I will begin after I graduate from Judson. I have considered going to graduate school, it just depends on what opportunities become available to me as graduation approaches. But God has a plan, and I’m constantly trying to seek Him to figure it out.”
|
