WHO IS SUZANNA GILLETTE?

By James Vasquez

WELL, who is she?

Among a body of 1,400 students enrolled in Olivet’s year for 2024-2025, is a mild-mannered and work-oriented young woman. She can be found somewhere. Perhaps she’s in the Benner library, maybe she’s in the Quad. Sometimes she can be located in the Comm Department or maybe somewhere in the Gazebo, or in Burke. Wherever she is, she stands out. Her name is Suzanna Gillette, an outstanding student with an intellectual mind engineered for storytelling, fingers ready to type and write, and gentle demeanor.  

Tell us more.

Suzanna Gillette also nicknamed “Suzie” by her friends is a student at Olivet Nazarene University majoring in English and Writing. As a senior, she is prepared for her future. Gillette is in the Sigma Tau Delta Honors Society for English which is quite an accomplishment not many students are able to achieve. Students need to be within the top 30% percentile and need to have a 3.5 GPA. Suzanna is one of the few that have those capabilities. 

She also has done an internship where in one of her past years, she worked for her home church summer for writing communications, did some writing, assorted tasks and emails and newsletters, updating the website with content. 

Currently, she is an Editor for the Tigers art and literary magazine and deals with the writing and proof-reading. 

Suzanna loves reading, especially fiction. Her favorite books would be Lord of the Rings, and its prequel book the Hobbit. Admittedly, she enjoys the movies more than the novels. 

Speaking of LOTR J.R Tolkien and C.S Lewis just happen to be Suzanna’s role models. 

“[I] admire their faith, their work, and the legacy they left behind.”

Suzanna on her thoughts about J.R Tolkien and C.s LEWIS

A school day in the life of Suzanna

In a typical weekday, Suzanna does her daily duties as a student, going to classes, participating in the projects, does her homework which a majority of it is studying in the library, grabbing a bite to eat from Luddy to Crush, to Starbucks, and  when provided free time,  hang out with her friends—sometimes at a local tap dance studio. 

Suzie, when she graduates, wants to do something with her talents. It could be anything, from editing, publishing, writing content for websites and social marketing, she would like to be an author of fiction, write memoirs, or perhaps even anecdotes.  

“I just like writing; I hope to use my writing skills to an extent, and to cause an impact.”

Suzanna Gillette

Suzanna’s friends and familiars

Gillette also has quite the connections on campus around the students. If Suzanna had to pick 3 out of her best friends, it would be (and in no order of preference) Erin Fagan, Naomi McMann, and Seidi B. Sadie.  

Erin Fagan met Suzanna briefly last year as Suzanna was friends with her twin sister, and in time, they became great friends. 

Erin was asked what career she personally foresaw her friend to be within in the 20 years. 

“I think I can see her as a screenwriter, or an author. She’s got passion. I don’t think I’ve ever met another writer with a creative aspect as her.”

Erin Fagan on commenting about her friend Suzanna

“Every interaction with Suzie has been kind and genuine, [she’s] always doing her best and loves dedicating enough time to get stuff done.” she also said.

What does Suzanna do during her freetime?

In her free time, Gillette likes to hang at Burke on the 4^th floor of the conference room, but her favored environment is mostly in the Benner Library for a sanctuary of silence, research and isolation from the outside world. She likes spending time with family watching movies, YouTube, and even playing computer games. 

While Gillette doesn’t consider herself to be the most frequently devoted, she believes God has helped her get through every day whether she doesn’t recognize it or not.