The ONU Admissions Staff Perseveres Through Covid-19

By: Josh Scharpenberg

With COVID-19 being a struggle for many colleges and universities throughout the past year, The ONU Admissions Center has been able to adapt well to the changes.

The Admissions Staff has done a splendid job with attracting high school and college transfer students to visit Olivet’s campus despite all of the obstacles and inconveniences the pandemic has created. COVID-19 may have gotten in the way of preventing large events to happen, but the Admissions team have planned ways to get around them. Even though there have been many changes for the events, Admissions still hosts many events such as: Purple and Gold Days, Just For Juniors, Holidays @ Olivet, and Become A Tiger. 

On the schedule a visit page on Olivet’s website, Westin Edwards, a graduate of 2020, said “Each visit showcases the environment of joy and excellence that Olivet provides on campus.” 

Before the pandemic, Admissions was able to host larger events and were able to host more students and their families. Through the pandemic, Admissions has still found a way to reach out to the students and their families.

While things look different, there have been positives that have come out during the pandemic. Each of the visits has been more intentional with there being fewer students for the events. The Admission Staff has worked harder than ever to still provide an awesome experience for the students and families visiting. It has been a priority to make each student and family feel comfortable and safe while visiting Olivet’s campus. If students do not want to do an in-person visit, there are drive-thru visits and a virtual tour opportunity.

“We look forward to sharing the Olivet experience with each new family,” said Susan Wolff, Executive Director of University Relations. 

With all the hard work paying off, there is a very bright future for the Admissions team as they go further. As the spring semester comes to a close and moves into the summer, Admissions will be able to prepare for the committed students to come to orientation. The more people become vaccinated this summer going into the fall, Olivet will be able to host bigger school events. This means that Admissions can start hosting bigger tours and visits for future students. Although things may not look fully normal by the fall it is going in that direction. 

After interviewing Teresa Mathews and Emily Belschner, they have enjoyed being a part of the Admissions team here at Olivet. Although they are both fairly new to the Admissions staff they have both had great experiences serving the team and the students despite an abnormal year. Emily, Teresa, and the whole staff care deeply for Olivet’s “Education with a Christian purpose.”

They desire to see each student who commits to Olivet do well with their academics and to see them succeed. Along with many others, they cannot wait for bigger events and a day where they can greet the students and families without a mask. The Admissions staff is hopeful and looking forward to the days when visits and tours will be normal again.