By Charli Missouri · Contributing Writer
Luke Owen, a Grove City College alumnus from the Class of 2024, began as an engineering major before switching to entrepreneurship. He eventually developed a passion for filmmaking through taking communication courses.
“The classes I took informed the structure and the industry principles that became valuable,” Owen said. “Every industry has its own jargon, its own technical terms … having some (communication) classes with hands-on experience was helpful in the later stage of entrepreneurship.”
During his time at the college, Owen started his own filmmaking business, Pollen Productions, where he now works full time. Owen is one of many students who attribute their success in the communications field to the college’s Department of Communication and Visual Arts (CVA).
In the Staley Hall of Arts and Letters, “comm” students gather to learn about various forms of communication, challenge their critical thinking skills and develop their creative minds alongside their peers.
The faculty aim to prepare students for “genuine connection and meaningful communication in both (their) personal and professional life.” The CVA Department’s mission statement also includes that the department carries a “broad foundation” and allows students the creative freedom to shape their own views centered around God’s glory.
Given the opportunity and encouragement to experiment with their creativity, students often utilize their majors on campus in meaningful ways spanning across communication fields.
“I really want to use my creativity to help others,” senior design and innovation major Aidan Nosal said. “I think that some of the most rewarding things I’ve done is doing graphic design for some of my friends, making T-shirts for their club and doing athletic photography.”
Nosal is one of the numerous student creatives on campus who uses his design and photography skills to capture moments of campus life — specifically athletic events.
“There are (many) times where I’m looking at my photos as a designer and I know what photo would be good to use,” Nosal said.
William Hearn, a senior CVA major, has received various awards for his documentary films at Lux Mea, the college’s annual student-led film festival.
“Whenever you go and you have 500 to 1,000 people watching the film all at once, and you’re there to see their reaction … it’s pretty incredible. The feeling of just seeing it in person on a big screen — there’s nothing like it,” Hearn said.
Hearn’s work has been featured in campus productions, speaking to his experience and use of storytelling and video editing.
“I have learned the importance and details of structure,” Hearn said, describing how his studies have impacted his films. “Learning the foundations of filmmaking — that has been the biggest storytelling help.”
Elise Sposato, a senior CVA major and studio art minor, balances both worlds by using skills developed in her classes to assist her in visually expressing herself through the art of drawing, painting and digital media.
“Art allows me to connect with others without the use of verbal communication. It shows me how creativity can really bring people together,” Sposato said.
As mentioned on the CVA Department’s website, the major offers a variety of courses in public speaking, intercultural communication, studio art, entrepreneurship and more. This provides students with the opportunity to explore and dive deeper into their major based on their interests.
Students are using their academics to sharpen their creative skills both verbally and visually.
Through design, photography, videography and art, student creators are retaining information from the classroom and applying it to their personal endeavors on and off campus.
“My classes have helped me look at things from a different angle,” Sposato said. “They have allowed me to find different avenues of perspective in art and communication and how to use them in my daily life.”
As the CVA Department continues to grow and push students towards creative freedom, student creators will continue to expand their ideas with the support of faculty.
Creators like Nosal, Hearn and Sposato are a few of many who will learn how to develop their skills to prepare them for what’s to come after their time here at the college.
