Junior Denise Bryce is double majoring in graphic design and history with a goal to earn a master’s degree in museum studies after graduation. She’s also a member of the bowling team and serves as a student researcher for the Hosford History Center and Lawrence Archives. Denise says Olivet’s small community has given her big opportunities to learn and grow.
Hear more about Denise’s college journey firsthand.
I come from Birch Run, a small town like Olivet. I knew I didn’t want to go to a big university or coll ege since I was used to the feel of a small community. Then I found The University of Olivet, I loved the size of the campus and the classrooms as it was like my high school. The main reason I chose The University of Olivet was for the bowling program, I was approached as a sophomore in high school to think about attending Olivet and participating on their newly-founded women’s bowling team. I kept that in mind while I was applying for colleges, and I did more research on The University of Olivet and it seemed like the perfect school for me.
In the beginning of my time at Olivet, I began with just a graphic design major, then the following year I decided to add on a history minor. Due to being hired at the Hosford History Center and Lawrence Archives, I decided to upgrade my history minor to a major. Now a junior with dual majors of graphic design and history, I decided that I will wish to continue my education with a master’s degree in museum studies, combining both degrees together into a career. I’ve always loved history and the arts, and now I found the perfect combination for both passions. I continue to learn in both degrees to improve my knowledge and portfolio to prepare myself for after college.
Close relationships with my professors are very helpful to my learning. Being one-on-one with a professor allows me to get to know them and it allows them to get to know me as a student. The ability to talk with professors after class, not always about the schoolwork, being able to ask how they are and what they might have done over the weekend creates a special bond that I have with some of my frequent professors.
The Hosford History Center and Lawrence Archives is not only a place of work, but a place to hang out and explore history. My love of history and designing grew more after spending time with documents that are very much older than myself. The group of students who work at Hosford consider ourselves the Archive Avengers based on our saving of history through discoveries about The University of Olivet and American history.
In addition to my studies, I also enjoy being a member of the OC bowling team. I’ve been bowling since the age of four, and I wanted to continue my love for the sport after high school. It was the right choice to continue bowling as I have met some great friends. Traveling to different cities and states makes my experience better with those on the team and sharing memories that we will always remember.
I’ve traveled more with Olivet than I have my whole life. Before college I mostly traveled around Michigan to the same locations; however, with bowling I traveled to multiple states and many bowling alleys. Besides my bowling travels, seminar field trips allowed me to experience and visit locations I’ve never thought I would attend, from Chicago to an in-depth tour of Detroit.
Along with great relationships with my teammates, my bowling coach, Dave Jackson, is a person who I can go to if something is wrong. He really wants us to trust him and be able to go to him if we have any problems with school or schedule conflicts with the sport. It seems that everyone I encounter at The University of Olivet has been supportive and encouraged me to succeed in multiple programs.
I hope high school students know that The University of Olivet is a small community with helpful people, and it’s very welcoming for other students who come from a small school/town.
Learn more about The University of Olivet by contacting the Office of Admission at 800-456-7189 or admissions@uolivet.edu.